Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 7

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 7

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

has a milk route in Kingston village. Mr. Bean has earned his present measure of pros- perity by working unceasingly since he was a boy of fourteen.

He was married November 3, 1850, to Sarah Ann, daughter of Obadiah and Dorothy (Sanborn) Bean, who resided in Kingston for a number of years prior to their death. Mrs. Bean was born in Danville, this county, Feb- ruary 18, 1829. She is the mother of four children, namely: Obadiah Everett Gove, who married Abbie Emerson, and lives in Lynn, Mass. ; George Herbert Chase, who married Adeline Hazelton, and resides in Lowell, Mass. ; Daniel Franklin, who married Hattie E. Allen, of Haverhill, Mass., and lives in Lowell; and Dorothy Emma, the wife of B. H. Rowell, who lives in Sandown, this county. In politics Mr. Bean favors the Re- publican side, but believes in electing the best man, irrespective of party. He attends the Universalist church in Kingston, is well known throughout the county, and has many warm friends.

ETH D. LANE, widely and favor- ably known as an industrious and skilful agriculturist, has been iden- tified with the farming interests of the town of Chester for more than twoscore years. He was born in Raymond, Rocking- ham County, January 2, 1832, a son of Jason Lane.

Jason Lane, who was a descendant of an early pioneer family of this county, spent his entire life on the old Lane homestead in Ray- mond, and died there May 25, 1855. He engaged in tilling the soil; but he also worked at the blacksmith's trade during much of his time. He married Sophia Doton, of Moulton- boro, Carroll County, and they became the parents of six children, as follows: Seth D., the subject of this sketch; Clarinda F., who married Samuel B. Osgood, both now de- ceased ; Matilda, who died August 3, 1880, leaving a husband, George Rollins, who now lives in Kingston, this county; Mary Susan, who died at the age of fourteen months; Miranda, who is the wife of Orin Bean, of Raymond; and Emma, who married Ostinella

Roby, a farmer of Chester. After the death of the father the mother again married, becoming the wife of the late Ebenezer Wilcomb, of Chester. She spent her last days in that town, dying April 29, 1879. Seth D. Lane received a common-school education in the district in which he was reared, and on the parental homestead obtained a practical training in agriculture. On attaining his majority he came to Chester to live, and soon after his marriage he settled on the farm where he now resides. Here Mr. Lane has one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, well improved, a large part being in a high state of cultiva- tion. In addition to the general work of the farm, he carries on lumbering to some extent and raises some stock. Mr. Lane is an ear- nest advocate of the principles promulgated by the Republican party. He is genuinely inter- ested in the welfare of the town, and liberally encourages all enterprises for the benefit of the community. He has reserved as Highway Surveyor of the township for seven years.

Mr. Lane was married May 9, 1854, to Miss Mary Basford, who was born in Chester, No- vember 17, 1828, on the home farm of her par- ents, Walter and Sarah (Knowles) Basford. The union has been blessed by the birth of three children - Luther B., Austin J., and Augusta S. Luther B. Lane, born April 16, 1855, who is a farmer in Chester, married Emma Brown, a native of Fremont, born Au- gust 10, 1859, daughter of Daniel S. and Mary H. (Bean) Brown, and has one son, Walter W. Lane. Austin J., born April 29, 1858, who is engaged in farming and teaming near the home of his parents in North Chester, married Mary I. Dow, and is the father of two children - Anna L. and Lilla M. Au- gusta S., born July 23, 1861, is the wife of Jay Marden, a farmer of Chester, and has two chil- dren - Alice L. and Lena M. Mrs. Lane is a conscientious member of the Congregational church of her native town.

AMES A. CORNING, a prominent shoe manufacturer of Epping, N. H., was born in Exeter, the county seat of Rockingham County, N.H., in 1851, son of James C. and Ann M. (Lane)

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Corning. The father was a native of London- derry, N. H., where his early years were spent. He removed to Salem, and subsequently to Haverhill, Mass., being an extensive shoe manufacturer there for thirty years. On ac- count of failing health he then came to Ep- ping, and purchased the place now occupied by his son, James A. During his active life he gave careful attention to business details, with excellent financial results. Mr. James C. Corning died in May, 1892; but Mrs. Corning, who is a native of Exeter, is still in the en- joyment of good health, at the age of sixty- nine years.

James A. Corning received his early educa- tion in the Haverhill public schools, afterward studying higher branches with a private tutor, and finally taking a business course in Haver- hill Business College. At the age of eighteen he came to Epping, where two or three years later he became engaged in the manufacture of shoes, an enterprise in which he has been continuously engaged ever since. Mr. Corn- ing prudently began in a small way, gradually increasing his business until with his present plant, which is well equipped with modern machinery, he employs sixty men and women. When the factory runs, they do an annual busi- ness of forty thousand dollars.

In politics Mr. Corning is a Republican, and, though he does not seek office, has con- sented to serve as Selectman for two years. Since his twenty-first year he has been a member of the Masonic Order, officiating as Treasurer of the local lodge, A. F. & A. M., for several terms. He is also identified with the Royal Arcanum. He was at one time a member of the Knights of Honor, and served several years as its Treasurer.

The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was united in marriage in June, 1875, was Helen M. Kendall. She is a native of Hins- dale, N. H., and a daughter of Gilbert Ken- dall, of Claremont, N. H. Mr. Corning's mother resides with him, she and his wife being faithful and valued members of the Con- gregational church. Industrious, enterpris- ing, high-principled, such people as the Corn- ings live lives of useful activity, and make their influence widely felt for good in the community where they dwell.

· The Corning family, it is worthy of men- tion, have been successfully engaged in the manufacture of shoes, which is one of the most important industries of New England, employing many skilled laborers, and a large amount of capital, for the last fifty years. James A. and his brother Gilman began in Haverhill, Mass., when the business started there in 1846; while their brother Phineas carried on the manufacture for a long period in Danversport, Mass., and a fourth brother, John S. Corning, was in the same line of business for twenty five years in Boston, Mass:

J AMES S. WOOD, a prosperous dealer in coal and wood in Portsmouth, Rock- ingham County, N.H., was born in Staley Bridge, Lancashire, England, on March 7, 1851. His father, John Wood, was also born there and learned the trade of mortar grinder. He came to America in 1863, and went to work in Eldridge's brewery in Ports- mouth, where he was unfortunately killed when he was forty-five years of age by a fall- ing hogshead of molasses. He left a widow and five children - Jane, Nathan, James S., Lizzie, and Mary Anna. Jane, the eldest- born, who married a Mr. Jackson, resides in Portsmouth ; Nathan, the second child, like his father met with an untimely end, being burned to death when the Kearsarge cotton- mills were consumed by fire; Lizzie married James Lomas, a native of England, but a resi- dent of this city; Mary Anna married Mr. Newton, who is also a resident of Portsmouth.

James S. Wood, the third child of his parents, spent the first twelve years of his life in England. He began to be a bread-winner at an early age, going into the Kearsarge cotton-mills, where he worked steadily on and up, leaving the factory as section hand at the expiration of ten years. He then engaged in the fuel business, which he has successfully managed ever since, dealing in coal and sawed and split wood. During the summer he also runs picnic barges with excellent financial results. Mr. Wood is a Republican in poli- tics, but votes especially in local elections for the best man, irrespective of party lines. He

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

is a member of Damon Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias, and attends the North Congrega- tional Church.

Mr. Wood has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Ann J. Lonias, was a native of Hyde, England. She died in 1879; and in 1892, twenty years after his first marriage, he was united in matrimony to his second wife, who was formerly Margaret Jackson, and who also belonged in Hyde, Eng- land. Aside from the energy which is intrin- sically his own, Mr. Wood's success in busi- ness is partially due to the fact that he was thrown on his own resources in early life, tax- ing his developing faculties to the uttermost.

ARTIN V. B. GILE, a prosperous farmer of Raymond, was born here, November 17, 1835, son of Jesse B. Gile, Jr., and Eliza (Towle) Gile. He is a descendant of Samuel Gile, who at an early date, accompanied by his brother John, left his English home for America. On their arrival John settled in Dedham, Mass., and Samuel in Haverhill, Mass. From Samuel the line of descent comes through Ephraim, Samuel (third), and Samuel (fourth) to Jesse, the grandfather of Martin V. B. Gile. Jesse Gile and those who preceded him were born in Haverhill. In early manhood he came to Raymond, and purchased the place since known as the old Gile homestead, which he tilled successfully, providing in this way for his own needs and those of his wife and five children. He died in 1838, about fifty years of age. The last of his children has since passed away. In poli- tics he was a Jacksonian Democrat.

Jesse Gile, Jr., born in Raymond, followed the hereditary calling of farmer during the active portion of his life. He died in Janu- ary, 1890. His wife, Eliza, bore him twelve children, of whom ten are now living, namely : Martin V. B., the subject of this article; Nancy B., the wife of John Wallace, of Ray- mond; Lavinia, the wife of P. Small, of Candia, this county; Elisha and Gilman E., both residents of Raymond; Samuel, residing in Candia; Lydia J., widow of K. Webster, residing in East Kingston, this county;

Erastus, a resident of Michigan; Ellen, the wife of Charles Hayes, residing in Haverhill ; and Jesse, residing in Candia.

Martin V. B. Gile made the most of his op- portunities for gaining an education in the common schools. On leaving the class-room he entered at once upon the sterner duties of life, working for different parties until his marriage, at the age of thirty-one years. He then settled down to farming on his own ac- count, and has successfully followed that occu- pation since. His farm of two hundred acres, comprising tillage, pasture, and wood land, bears witness to the painstaking and system- atic care which its owner has bestowed upon it. The old buildings have given place to a new house, barn, and out-buildings; and every other feature of prominence betokens the thrifty New England farmer. In November, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah P. Kimball, a native of Kingston, N. H. Their only living child, Fannie L., is an able teacher in the public schools of Candia. In his political relations Mr. Gile is a Republi- can. He is a communicant of the Free Will Baptist church in Candia.

EORGE GOODWIN, a highly es- teemed resident of Sandown, was born August 27, 1824, on the home- stead where he now resides, son of Samuel and Polly (George) Goodwin. His paternal grandfather, a native of Rockingham County, was born, and spent his entire life, in the town of Newton, where he was engaged in farming. Grandfather Goodwin married Marian Blaisdell, and became by her the father of twelve children. Samuel Goodwin was born in Newton, where he worked on the parental homestead until sixteen years of age. Then, starting out for himself, he went to Bow, Merrimack County, and there worked at farm labor for a time. After this he came to Sandown, and bought the farm now owned and occupied by his son George. From that time until his death, which occurred in 1889, he was engaged in agriculture. Some time after his arrival in Sandown he married Miss George, a descendant of one of the early fami- lies of this place. They had two children -

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Harriet Newell and George. Harriet Newell died at the age of nineteen years. The mother's death occurred in 1866.

George Goodwin obtained his education in the district schools and his practical knowl- edge of farming on the family homestead. Being the only son, his services were naturally required on the farm; and when his father's health became impaired he was given its entire management. It is pleasantly located in the castern portion of the town, and con- tains two hundred acres of land, a large part of which is in cultivation. Mr. Goodwin carries on general farming, stock raising, and dairying. He makes an excellent quality of butter, which he sells at the local markets. He has always been an energetic worker, and earned the success he has attained. Recently he transferred a part of the responsibility of his work to his two sons. In politics Mr. Goodwin . is a sound Democrat. He has served with acknowledged ability as Select- man, and represented Sandown in the State legislature of 1874-75. He is a member of the local grange.

On October 28, 1851, Mr. Goodwin married Mary A. Lane, a daughter of David and Lydia (Currier) Lane, lifelong residents of Chester, N.H. They have had four children, namely : Charles W., born April 20, 1853; John George, born February 2, 1857; Hattie Maria, born December 6, 1868; and one child that died in infancy. The survivors all re- ceived a good education, and are valued and useful members of the community in which they live. Charles W. has been a member of the Board of Selectmen of Sandown for five consecutive years. John G. attended the Danville High School six months, and after- ward took a commercial course at the Man- chester Business College, this State. He is now agent for the Rockingham County Insur- ance Company. He has served his townsmen as Tax Collector, and at the present time is Justice of the Peace. He belongs to the grange and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is an active member. The daughter, Hattie, a successful teacher, is likewise a member of the grange, and is con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal church by membership.

J ONATHAN Y. NESMITH, of London - derry, N. II., is a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of Deacon James Nesmith, one of the sixteen Scotch- Irish immigrants who in April, 1719, settled at Nutfield, as this historic old town was called previous to its incorporation in June, 1722. Deacon Nesmith's wife was Elizabeth McKeen. Their son, James, second, born in Ireland in 1718, married Mary Dinsmoor, daughter of Robert Dinsmoor, of Windham, N. H., and settled in the north part of the town of Londonderry. James Nesmith, the second of the name, fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. His son Robert married Jane Anderson, and was the father of five children, the three sons being Thomas, James, and Cyrus.

Thomas Nesmith, son of Robert, was an able carpenter, and had an extensive acquaint- ance in this section of the county. He worked on some of the first buildings erected in the city of Manchester, and their condition to-day speaks well for his skill and conscien- tious workmanship. He was commonly known as Captain Nesmith, being an officer in the State militia, active in training an or- ganized company. In politics he was a Whig and a Republican. His death occurred in war time. Of the children of Captain Nesmith and his wife, Nancy Boyce, Jonathan Y. is the only survivor. The others were: Janc, Hannah, and James.

Jonathan Y. Nesmith, son of Thomas and Nancy, was born in Londonderry on July 6, 1827. He was left motherless when not quite three years of age, and was reared in the fam- ily of his uncle, Cyrus Nesmith, in London- derry. His uncle was a farmer, and the boy learned to make himself of use in the never- ending routine of agricultural labors. When about eighteen years of age he went to work for his father; but carpentry did not suit him, and he subsequently learned the trade of shoe- making, at which he worked for a number of years. He finally returned to the pursuit of his boyhood - agriculture - which has brought him comfort and prosperity, and his farm of sixty-five acres shows thrift and good management. His property has been acquired by hard work and the exercise of sagacious

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Harriet Newell and George. Harriet Newell died at the age of nineteen years. The mother's death oceurred in 1866.

George Goodwin obtained his education in the distriet schools and his practical knowl- edge of farming on the family homestead. Being the only son, his serviees were naturally required on the farm; and when his father's health became impaired he was given its entire management. It is pleasantly located in the eastern portion of the town, and eon- tains two hundred acres of land, a large part of which is in cultivation. Mr. Goodwin carries on general farming, stoek raising, and dairying. He makes an execllent quality of butter, which he sells at the local markets. He has always been an energetie worker, and earned the success he has attained. Reeently he transferred a part of the responsibility of his work. to his two sons. In politics Mr. Goodwin is a sound Democrat. He has served with acknowledged ability as Selcet- man, and represented Sandown in the State legislature of 1874-75. He is a member of the local grange.

On October 28, 1851, Mr. Goodwin married Mary A. Lane, a daughter of David and Lydia (Currier) Lanc, lifelong residents of Chester, N.H. They have had four children, namely : Charles W., born April 20, 1853; John George, born February 2, 1857; Hattie Maria, born December 6, 1868; and one child that died in infaney. The survivors all re- ecived a good education, and are valued and useful members of the community in which they live. Charles W. has been a member of the Board of Selectmen of Sandown for five consecutive years. John G. attended the Danville High School six months, and after- ward took a commercial eourse at the Man- chester Business College, this State. He is now agent for the Rockingham County Insur- anec Company. He has served his townsmen as Tax Collcetor, and at the present time is Justice of the Pcaec. . He belongs to the grange and to the Aneient Order of United Workmen, of which he is an active member. The daughter, Hattie, a successful teacher, is likewise a member of the grange, and is con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal ehureh by membership.

J ONATHAN Y. NESMITH, of London - derry, N.H., is a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of Deaeon James Nesmith, one of the sixteen Seotch- Irish immigrants who in April, 1719, settled at Nutfield, as this historic old town was ealled previous to its incorporation in June, 1722. Deaeon Nesmith's wife was Elizabeth McKeen. Their son, James, second, born in Ireland in 1718, married Mary Dinsmoor, daughter of Robert Dinsmoor, of Windham, N. H., and settled in the north part of the town of Londonderry. James Nesmith, the seeond of the name, fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. His son Robert married Janc Anderson, and was the father of five children, the three sons being Thomas, James, and Cyrus.

Thomas Nesmith, son of Robert, was an able carpenter, and had an extensive aequaint- anee in this section of the county. He worked on some of the first buildings erceted in the city of Manchester, and their condition to-day speaks well for his skill and eonseien- tious workmanship. He was commonly known as Captain Nesmith, being an officer in the State militia, aetive in training an or- ganized company. In politics he was a Whig and a Republican. His death oeeurred in war time. Of the children of Captain Nesmith and his wife, Naney Boyce, Jonathan Y. is the only survivor. The others were: Janc, Hannah, and James.

Jonathan Y. Nesmith, son of Thomas and Nancy, was born in Londonderry on July 6, 1827. He was left motherless when not quite three years of age, and was reared in the fam- ily of his unele, Cyrus Nesmith, in London- derry. His unele was a farmer, and the boy learned to make himself of use in the never- ending routine of agricultural labors. When about eighteen years of age he went to work for his father; but earpentry did not suit him, and he subsequently learned the trade of shoe- making, at which he worked for a number of years. He finally returned to the pursuit of his boyhood - agriculture - which has brought him eomfort and prosperity, and his farm of sixty-five acres shows thrift and good management. His property has been aequired by hard work and the exercise of sagacious

TOPPAN LEAVITT.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

judgment, and he is well deserving of a place in the ranks of New Hampshire's self-made men.

Mr. Nesmith was married November 25, 1852, to Adaline A. Boyce, a native of Lon- donderry, daughter of Robert and Percy (Gar- vin) Boyce. Her parents, too, were natives of New Hampshire. Mr. Nesmith has an adopted son, Frank A., who married Clara B., daughter of James Corning, of Litchfield, N.H., and has two children - Eva M. and Adaline B. A stanch Republican in politics, he is always ready to do what he can for the betterment of the town, being especially in- tercsted in educational matters; but he has refused to accept office, modestly preferring to perform his share in the town government as a voter in the ranks.

OPPAN LEAVITT .- The town of North Hampton, N.H., is remarkable for its old families, generation after generation dwelling in the same spot, tilling the same soil, and lying down for the last sleep beneath the same skies that smiled upon the pioneer. Of one of these old families Toppan Leavitt, a portrait of whom is here shown, is a worthy scion. He was born in North Hampton, July 28, 1818, son of Toppan, Sr., and Sarah A. (Kimball) Leavitt, and is of the seventh generation of his family in this part of New England.

The first of the race in these parts, Thomas Leavitt, settled in North Hampton in 1639, locating in the part of the town known as the West End, and lived there nearly sixty years, dying in November, 1696, at the age of four- scorc. His wife, Isabel, died in 1699. The next in line was Hosea Leavitt, who married Martha Taylor; the next, Moses Leavitt; and the next, John, Mr. Toppan Leavitt's great- grandfather, who moved to "the hill," and kept the old tavern many years. He marricd a Miss Marston. Their son, Benjamin Leavitt, a native of North Hampton like his immediate ancestors, kept the tavern in the town many years, and managed a farm at the same time. His house is now owned and occupied by Mr. Gove. On his farm he raised more produce than was necessary for

his family needs; and he made frequent trips to Boston in a schooner which he owned, carrying potatoes and other vegetables, and bringing back from the city such things as were not casily obtainable in a small place like Hampton. He was familiarly known as Captain Ben, being a commissioncd officer in the State militia. Captain Ben Leavitt died in 1835, aged sixty-nine years. His wife's maiden name was Abigail Smith. This couple reared three children - Toppan, Sr., Luther, and Benjamin.

Toppan Leavitt, Sr., was born in North Hampton, and educated in the district school. Like the majority of lis townsmen in his day, he was a farmer; but he hardly lived long enough to accomplish much, for he was drowned at the early age of twenty-four, on the return trip from Boston, whither he had taken a load of potatoes in his father's schooner. This was in 1818, shortly before the birth of his son and namesake, whose life story to the present time is here outlined.

Toppan Leavitt was reared to maturity in the home of his paternal grandfather, and ob- tained his education at the district school. Learning the carpenter's trade, he worked at it for a while, but eventually took up the pur- suit of agriculture, taking charge of the Leavitt farm after the death of his unele Luther. In 1845 he purchased his present homestead, which includes a good farm; and for over half a century he has been steadily engaged in general husbandry.

Mr. Leavitt was married in 1844 to Sarah Crimbell, daughter of Benjamin Crimbell, of North Hampton; and three of their children have attained maturity and established homes of their own; namely, Delia N., Benjamin T., and John I. Delia N. Leavitt, whose home is in Stratham, this county, is the wife of Danicl Wiggin and mother of nine chil- dren - Fred B. ; Louisa, wife of Bert Brews- ter and mother of two children, Willis and Guy; John; George; Prentiss; Hattie; Sarah ; Nettie; and Elmer. Benjamin T. Leavitt, a resident of Hampton, married Belle Elkins, and has one child, Louis. John I. Leavitt, of North Hampton, married first Eliza Rowe, and second Lucinda Marston. He had three children by his second wife, namely : a son,

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Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 7

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