USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 69
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
His wife, Sarah, had twelve children: John H., who died in infancy; Sarah G., Mary F., Sarah A., and Alice, who are also deceased ; John H., named for his deceased brother; Thomas, Martha, James, and Frederick, who have all passed away; Grace, wife of John Scott; and Alice,. second, wife of George I. Walker, of New Market. The mother died in 1885, at the age of seventy-four years.
John H. Brackett was born and reared on his present farm, then the property of his par-
563
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ents, and on which he has always resided. It consists of ninety acres of good land, and he carries on general farming successfully. He is highly respected in this locality. A Demo- crat in politics, he has served twelve different terms as Selectman, and was Representative to the State legislature in 1883 and 1885. He is also a member of the Masonic Order.
In 1889 Mr. Brackett was married to Mary E. A. Lewis, of Sandwich, N. H. ; and they have one son, Thomas J. Brackett. Mrs. Brackett died February 1, 1892.
J OSEPH D. THOMAS, a worthy citi- zen of Londonderry, was born in Lin- coln County, Maine, November 2, 1825. He is a son of Samuel and Susan (Mills) Thomas, his father being a native of Biddeford, Me., and his mother of Nobleboro, in the same State. The family is said to be of Welsh extraction. Joseph Thomas, the grandfather, was a native of Bid- deford, where he spent his life successfully engaged in agriculture. His son Samuel learned the trade of a carpenter, for which he possessed special ability; and throughout the years of his activity he was profitably en- gaged in mechanical pursuits. He was twice married, his first wife being Susan Mills, and his second Sophia Chellis. Of his children three are living: Joseph D .; Sallie L, wife of Joshua Linscott, of Nobleboro, Me. ; and Sophia, now Mrs. Harvey, of Rochester, N.I.
Joseph D. Thomas's opportunities for ob- taining an education were limited to two months' attendance in the common schools each year until reaching the age of fourteen. When but eight years old, he was practically thrown on his own resources; and during the years immediately succeeding he had no set- tled home, living but a few months in any one place. At sixteen he began to learn the trade of a blacksmith at Biddeford, Me., where he served a three years' apprenticeship on ma- chine work for the cotton-mills. His natural adaptability to mechanical work enabled him to quickly master the difficulties of his trade. Subsequently, leaving Biddeford, he worked successively in Boston, Cambridge, Charles-
town, Nashua, Manchester, and again in Bos- ton. In 1873 he came to Londonderry, and has since made his home in this town. He owns about thirty-six acres of land, and in connection with farming he carries on black- smithing In politics he is a Republican ; and, fraternally, he is identified with the Masonic Order. Personally popular, he has the respect and esteem of the community.
On March 14, 1848, Mr. Thomas was mar- ried to Miss Judith Emmons, a native of Kennebunkport, Me., and a daughter of Cap- tain Thomas and Olive (Perkins) Emmons. Both her parents were natives of Maine; and her father was a sea captain, engaged in the foreign merchant trade. Captain Emmons and his wife had four children, namely : Judith; Hiram Emmons, of Kennebunkport ; Mrs. Harriet Davis, a widow, residing in Kennebunkport ; and Thomas A. Emmons, of Lawrence, Mass.
RANK PEARCE FORSAITH, who stands high among the able and pro- gressive agriculturists of South Hamp- ton, was born where he now resides, January 15, 1855, son of John C. and Mary W. (Healey) Forsaith. His grandfather was Dr. Robert Forsaith, an early settler and a lead- ing physician of his day in New Market, who in 1817, while still a comparatively young man, was found frozen to death in his sleigh. His wife was Sally Chase, of Hampton Falls, N.H.
John C. Forsaith, father of Frank P., was born in New Market, November 25, 1811. Previous to his settlement in South Hampton in 1840, he was in mercantile business in Salem and Chelsea, Mass., and also in New York and Boston. After carrying on trade here for about eight years, he settled upon the farm where his sons, Frank P. and John W., now reside. becoming an able and suc- cessful farmer. He was widely known and highly esteemed; and, besides being ap- pointed a Trustee of Barnard Academy, he was twice elected to the legislature as a Jack- son Democrat. He died February 6, 1876. His wife, Mary W. Healey, who was born in Kensington, September 19, 1820, became the
564
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
mother of six children, as follows: Elizabeth E., George N., Mary O., John W., Ella A., and Frank P. She died in 1884.
Frank P. Forsaith was educated in the com- mon schools and at Barnard Academy. In young manhood he gave his attention to tilling the soil, inheriting a half-interest in the homestead farm, which he carries on with his brother, John W. Forsaith. He is an ener- getic, practical, and progressive general farmer and dairyman. His farm, which occu- pies a most convenient and pleasant location, is noted for its extensive and productive or- chards, some fifteen acres being devoted to fruit-growing alone; and, beside the large number of bearing trees, many young trees have been recently set out.
On May 21, 1890, Mr. Forsaith was united in marriage to Mary Etta Evans, who was born in Derry, N.H., April 13, 1866, a daughter of Charles M. and Phoebe Ann (Merrill) Evans, of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Forsaith have one daughter, Mabel Ella, aged about five years. In politics Mr. Forsaith is a Democrat. He is very popular socially, his genial disposition and pleasing manners mak- ing him a welcome guest at all important so- ciety gatherings; and it may be truthfully said that his friends and acquaintances in- clude the entire community in which he lives.
OODBRIDGE W. DURELL, Town Treasurer of New Market, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born here in September, 1839, son of Newman and Sarah B. (Orsborne) Durell. Mr. Durell's father, a native and lifelong resident of New Market, was for many years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the town. He served as a member of the Board of Selectmen and as Highway Surveyor, and took an active interest in the general welfare of the community until his death, which oc- curred in 1856. His wife, Sarah, who was a daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Orsborne, of Lce, N. H., died in 1884.
Woodbridge W. Durell, after attending the district school for a short time, at the age of fifteen began to work for his living as a bobbin boy in the mills. A few months later he
secured a position as a clerk in a general store here, in which capacity he continued for four years. At the end of that time, after spend- ing one season upon the farm, he in the fall of 1861 enlisted as a private in a New Hamp- shire Regiment of Cavalry for service in the Civil War. During the succeeding three years and five months he saw a great deal of active service, taking part in the eventful campaigns. At the battle of Sulphur Springs he was made prisoner of war, and held for fourteen months. After his exchange he re- joined his regiment, with which he remained until the close of the war. Discharged in the spring of 1865, he returned to New Market, and engaged in the dry-goods and grocery busi- ness in company with B. F. Haley. This part- nership, having endured for more than fifteen years, was terminated by Mr. Durell, who bought the interest of his associate in the stock of dry goods, and established himself in that business exclusively here. Since then he has steadily prospered, gaining a wide and enviable reputation for honesty and fair deal- ing. At the present time he carries the largest and most select stock of dry goods, millinery, furniture, and carpets, besides other goods, in this part of the county. Politically, he is a Republican, and by his influence he has contributed much toward the party's suc- cess in this locality. He has well served the town as a Selectman, and is now its Treasurer.
In 1869 Mr. Durell was united in marriage to Sarah E. Smith, who was born in New Market, daughter of Samuel Smith, of Wake- field, N. H. He is a member of the Masonic Order, having been Master of the Blue Lodge here for three years. He is also connected with the Knights of Honor and Post George A. Gray, Grand Army of the Republic. As a business man, he is highly esteemed in the town.
APTAIN JOSEPH W. KUSE, a re- tired carpenter of South New Market, was born in Exeter, this county, April 19, 1815, son of Joseph and Sally (Neal) Kuse. On the father's side he is of Scotch origin, and a representative of an old county family. His paternal grandfather
565
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
was one of the pioneers of North Hampton, where he resided during a portion of his life. Grandfather Kuse was well educated for his day, and engaged in school-teaching in differ- ent parts of the country. He died in the State of Ohio.
Joseph Kuse was a native of North Hamp- ton, where he passed a few years of his early manhood in the occupations of a carpenter and farmer. He subsequently moved to Exeter, and a little later to Newfields, settling on the farm now occupied by his son, the subject of this sketch. He began to make improvements on the estate soon after his arrival in 1815, and gave considerable time to carpenter's work, making a specialty of hewing, at which he was considered very skilful. He married Miss Sally Neal, a native of Newfields, by whom he became the father of two children - Mary Ann and Joseph W. Mary Ann, who became Mrs. Tuckerman, passed away in her eighty-fifth year. Both parents were asso- ciated with the Methodist Episcopal church of Newfields. In political matters the father followed the Republican party. He passed away at the advanced age of seventy-seven years, and his wife in her eighty-third year.
Captain Joseph W. Kuse grew to manhood on the homestead, receiving his education at the common schools of Newfields. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed thereafter pretty con- stantly until a short time ago. In 1840 he engaged with the Squamscot Machine Com- pany, with which he remained about twenty years, travelling for them, and performing work in various places. He has always re- sided on the old homestead, which comprises about forty acres of excellent land, and has led a very industrious life.
On September 3, 1838, Mr. Kuse was joined in wedlock with Miss Ruth Eaton, who was born December 29, 1815, in Bowdoin, Me., daughter of Nathan Eaton, a seafaring man. Of the marriage there have been born four children, namely: Joseph W. and Nathan E., both deceased; Elizabeth, who is now the wife of S. P. Chase, a resident of Exeter; and Perry T., who is a painter by trade, and who, with his wife, Mrs. Carrie (Tomilson) Kuse, resides at his father's home. Mr. Kuse has
been honored by his fellow-citizens with sev- eral public trusts, in which he has served them efficiently. He held the commission of Captain in the old military company at New- fields. In national politics he acts with the Republican party. He and his wife are in fel- lowship with the Methodist Episcopal church of Newfields, in which he has officiated in sev- eral capacities. Captain Kuse has the dis- tinction of being the oldest citizen of his town.
EORGE W. SCOTT, a well-known maltster in the Frank Jones Brewery, Portsmouth, was born in this city, October 8, 1860. His parents were of Irish birth and ancestry. The father, who for twenty-four years followed farming in this town, died in 1874, at the age of forty-six years. The mother, who is still living (1896), has had seven children, three boys and four girls.
George W. Scott, the second child of his parents, received his rudimentary education in the district school, and subsequently at- tended Smith's Commercial College of Ports- mouth. When he was thirteen years old, he began to drive a milk cart, which he continued for six years. Then, buying cows and a milk route for himself, he carried on this enter- prise until attaining his majority. He then entered Frank Jones's Brewery as a laborer, learning the trade of maltster under the super- vision of James J. Hogan. At the end of ten months he proved so efficient that he was ap- pointed assistant maltster, and filled that posi- tion from 1882 to 1888. When Mr. Hogan died, Mr. Scott took his place as maltster, which he is at the present time, having thirty-two men under his charge. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held public office for twelve years, serving two years in the Common Council from Ward 3, two years as Overseer of the Poor, four years as Alderman, and four years on the Board of Registration. It is a significant fact, emphasizing Mr. Scott's popularity, that no other man in the ward has served for twelve consecutive years. in official positions in the city government. Mr. Scott is a member of Foresters and of
566
BIOGRAPHICAL, REVIEW
B. & P. O. Elks, No. 97. He attends the Catholic church.
The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was married in 1890, was Maggie Fitzpatrick, she being a native of Ireland. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Scott took an extended and thoroughly enjoyable tour through Ireland and England. Mr. Scott's success is the re- sult of personal effort. Being still a young man and very popular, he may yet attain greater rewards of his diligence in business and zeal in the public service.
AMES M. NESMITH, a prominent resident of Atkinson, and an ex-mem- ber of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in Londonderry, N. H., June 18, 1832, son of James and Mary (Corning) Nesmith. Ancestors of the Nesmith family were early settlers of Londonderry; and Mr. Nesmith's grandfather, Robert Nesmith, was a native and lifelong resident of that town. The active period of Robert's life was passed in successfully tilling the soil, and he died at the age of seventy-five years. He was one of the stirring and useful men of his day, who won the respect and good will of all by his unselfish zeal for the general good. In politics he acted with the Whig party. He married Jane Anderson, a native of New Hampshire, and reared a family of five children, all now deceased. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian church. The mother lived to be seventy-five years old.
James Nesmith, the youngest of his parents' children, was born at the homestead in Lon- conderry in 1794. He was one of the most capable and successful farmers of his day. Taking legitimate advantage of every oppor- tunity to improve his property and advance his interests, he fully earned the fair measure of prosperity that resulted. In politics he was a Whig. At the time of. his death, which oc- curred when he was fifty-seven years old, he was actively engaged upon his farm. He left to his posterity the reputation of an honorable, upright, and conscientious man. His wife, before marriage Mary Corning, daughter of Samuel Corning, of Litchfield, N. H., became the mother of nine children, two of whom are
living, namely : James M., the subject of this sketch; and Martha A., who was born in 1837, and is now residing at the old home- stead in Londonderry. The mother lived to the age of sixty-eight years.
James M. Nesmith was educated in the com- mon schools of Londonderry. In young man- hood he was engaged as a section foreman on the Concord Railway, a position which he filled for eight years. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and subsequently followed it for some twenty-five years. In 1861 he bought the farm in Atkinson where he now resides. Besides conducting this, he continued working at his trade until some time ago, when he re- linquished it. He owns one hundred and eighteen acres of excellent tillage land, which is well improved and desirably located ; and as a general farmer he ranks with the leading agriculturists of this town.
Mr. Nesmith has been twice married. The first occasion was in 1867, when he was united to Susan H. Wheeler, who died in 1871. His second marriage took place in 1873, when he wedded Lucy E. Poor, a native of Atkinson. Regarding religious questions he holds liberal opinions, while he attends the Orthodox church. In political affairs Mr. Nesmith is a prominent figure, being one of the most active of the Republican party in this section. He was for three years a member of the Board of Selectmen, was elected a Representative to the State legislature of 1894-95, and at the present time is serving as Road Agent. * He is connected with the Patrons of Husbandry, in which he is a member of the Executive Con- mittee. Both Mr. Nesmith and his wife attend the Congregational church.
ATHANIEL E. BARTLETT, a Se- lectman of Hampstead, was born in this town, June 27, 1856, son of Ezekiel and Prusia H. (Daly) Bartlett. Mr. Bartlett's grandparents, John and Mary (Morrill) Bartlett, were natives of Amesbury, Mass. John Bartlett, who was a tanner, followed that occupation together with farming for several years in his native town. He finally came to Hampstead, where he bought a farm of one hundred acres, and there
567
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
resided until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years. He was the father of eleven children, of whom the only survivor is Mathias, who is a resident of New York State. Grandmother Bartlett lived to be over eighty years old.
Ezekiel Bartlett, who was born in Newbury, Mass., November 27, 1813, passed his youth in Massachusetts. When a young man, he learned carriage-making in Hampstead, and subsequently, for a number of years, was engaged in business upon his own account. He was enterprising and fairly successful. In politics he was a Democrat, and he filled the office of Postmaster at Hampstead Centre for several years. He died August 4, 1889. On January 20, 1850, he married Mrs. Prusia H. (Town) Daly, who was born in Norwood, Conn., February 17, 1822. She became the mother of five children, three of whom are living. They are: Carrie T., born February 25, 1853, who is now the wife of George W. Baker, of Hampstead, having four children - George H., Alice E., Lauretta May, and Ernest ; Nathaniel E., the subject of this sketch; and Myra, born March 31, 1863, who is the wife of Robert Hart, of this town, hav- ing one child, Earl B. The mother, who still survives, has reached the age of seventy-five, and has been united with the Methodist Epis- copal church for many years.
Nathaniel E. Bartlett was educated in the schools of Hampstead. He learned the car- riage-maker's trade with his father, and fol- lowed it thereafter until he was twenty-eight years old. In 1885 he engaged in mercantile business in the general store of Arthur J. Spollett, at the old stand of John D. Ordway & Co., where he has since remained. On June 27, 1883, Mr. Bartlett wedded Lizzie M. Hart, who was born August 13, 1864, daughter of William J. and Jane (Banks) Hart, of Nova Scotia. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have three children, namely: Elsie G., who was born July 1, 1884; Leroy N., who was born Jan- uary 16, 1890; and Harold B., who was born July 21, 1893.
Mr. Bartlett is recognized as a leading spirit in local affairs, and one of the most active members of the Democratic party in this town. He was first elected a member
of the Board of Selectmen in 1889, was re- elected the following year, and in 1896 was again chosen a member of that body. In business circles he occupies a prominent posi- tion here, and both he and his wife are so- cially popular.
EORGE A. WHEELER, a lumber- man and farmer of Nottingham, was born at Bow, Merrimack County, Sep- tember 20, 1835, son of George and Asenath (Colby) Wheeler. His father, who also was a native of Bow, followed the carpenter's trade. He was likewise considerably engaged in agricultural pursuits, being the possessor of a farm of about two hundred and fifty acres. A very industrious and enterprising man, he was deservedly successful. Ile married Miss Asenath Colby, and became by her the father of twelve children, eleven of whom are still living. These are: Daniel, George A., Jesse C., Cyrus C., Eli, Susan, Rufus, Oliver, Wesley, Asenath, and Narsisa. Both parents were members of the Methodist society at Bow. The father evinced his earnest relig- ious spirit by erecting the present church building. In national civic affairs his prin- ciples brought him into affiliation with the Republican party. He passed his declining years in his native town. His wife, now eighty years old, still survives him, residing on the old homestead.
George A. Wheeler acquired his education in the common schools of his native town. After finishing with school, he helped in the work of the farm, giving special attention, however, to lumbering. In 1876 he and his brother Jesse purchased the present farm, on which they are extensively engaged in lum- bering. They own a mill run by steam power, and fully equipped for the best work.
In September, 1889, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage with Miss Villa Bachel- der, daughter of Pike Bachelder, a resident of Manchester, N. H. Their only child, Ruth, was born February 4, 1892. Jesse Wheeler, Mr. Wheeler's brother and associate in busi- ness, married Miss Sarah Ball, of Auburn, Me., and has a son named Leslie. Mr. Wheeler supports the Republican party, and
568
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
he is a member of the Methodist church. He has served for one term each in the capacities of Selectman and legislative Representative at Concord.
ANIEL P. HARVEY, a well-known agriculturist of Nottingham, and a native of this town, was born Oc- tober 17, 1848, son of Pike H. and Mary A. (Chapman) Harvey. The Harvey family is one of the old and respected ones' of Nottingham. Daniel Harvey, grandfather of Daniel P., was born here in 1789; and his descendants have resided in the town ever since. Daniel was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout life. He and his wife, Hannah (Hill) Harvey, a native of Lee, N. H., had a family of five children, of whom Abigail and Daniel A. survive. Abi- gail is now the wife of Joshua Wiggin, of Ep- ping, N. H., to whom she has borne two chil- dren - Joshua and Daniel. Daniel A. wedded Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Skowhegan, Me. ; and they have become the parents of nine chil- dren - namely, Kate E., Clara A., Hannah M., John S., Frank, Annie B., Benjamin, William K., and Mary K. Daniel Harvey died at the age of fifty-nine years, and his wife passed away in her forty-second year.
Pike H. Harvey, son of Daniel, was born October 24, 1813, in Nottingham on the paternal estate, a farm of about one hundred and seventy-five acres, where he subsequently spent his adult years in agricultural pursuits. He was joined in matrimony with Mary A. Chapman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Chapman, of Nottingham; and to them were born four children, all of whom still survive. These are: Hannah E., Rebecca S., Daniel P., and Idala. Hannah was given in marriage to Benjamin F. Lang, of Lee; and their union was blessed in the birth of eight children, as follows: Laura, who is now the wife of Frank Morrison, of Durham, N. H., and has one son, Charles; Susie, who married George Strout, of New York, and has also one son, Allen ; Annie; George; Edna; Bertha; Bernaise ; and Benjamin. Rebecca was united in mar- riage with John C. Hill, of Charlestown, Mass. ; and they have become the parents of
two children - Ida and True S. Idala, who is now Mrs. Daniel Martin, of South Boston, Mass., has had two children - Harry and Sarah. Pike H. Harvey and his wife were Universalists. He was respected and promi- nent in Nottingham, participating very freely in local politics. He was Town Collector, and was also a member of the Board of Select- men. For two terms he had the honor of rep- resenting his town in the legislature at Con- cord. In politics he was a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He lived seventy-three years. Mrs. Harvey still survives him, residing with her son, the sub- ject of this sketch, on the old homestead.
Daniel P. Harvey acquired his education in the common schools of his native town. After leaving school, he was engaged with his father in the work of the farm for some time. In 1882 he removed to Waltham, Vt., where he was occupied in lumbering and farming for three years. Returning then to the paternal estate, its management has been liis chief occupation since. On June 17, 1872, he was united in wedlock with Miss Aurilla M. Hill, a daughter of William Hill, of Starks- boro, Vt. He has now four children, namely : Mabel, born August 8, 1873, who is the wife of J. Lewis Caverno, of Lee; Pike H., born January 21, 1878; Blanche, born October II, 1885; and Grace E., born September 3, 1888.
Mr. Harvey, for the last three years, has been Postmaster at Nottingham Centre; and he held for six years the office of Deputy Sheriff of Rockingham County. He is affili- ated with the fraternity of Masons by his membership in Sullivan Lodge, No. 19, of Epping, N. H., covering a score of years. He is also identified with the Patrons of Hus- bandry in the grange of Nottingham. In politics he is found among the ranks of the Democratic party. His religious belief and sentiments are liberal.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.