USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 71
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George M. and Nathan, who resides in Fram- ingham, Mass., survive. Emery, the eldest, born in 1800, died in Framingham in 1894, having attained the very advanced age of ninety-four years. Eliza lived to be nearly eighty-eight years of age. Irene, who married Edwin Bursell, died at seventy-nine years of age, leaving a son and three daughters. The mother, who died April 20, 1874, nearly reached ninety-six years of age.
George M. Haynes was born in East Sud- bury, now Wayland, Mass., August 17, 1812. Although on starting out in life for himself he was without cash capital, he was not lacking in energy and enterprise. Up to 1861 he was engaged in teaming from Brighton to Boston, doing a large amount of government work in connection with the Arsenal, and employing between twenty and thirty horses. He then sold his business at a good profit, and worked for a time in the employ of his successors. For the past thirty-six years he has been engaged in conducting his farm of fifty acres, which he purchased at New Hampton, Bel- knap County, soon after selling his teaming business. His wife, Nancy, a native of New Hampton, whom he married in 1850, was born in 1815, daughter of Thomas and Polly (Pease) Woodman. She died on January 8, 1861, leaving two children: Nathaniel P. Haynes, of New Hampton; and George F. Two other children had died in infancy. Although now eighty-one years old, the father still retains his mental and physical vigor to a remarkable degree.
George F. Haynes spent his boyhood on his father's farm, acquiring a practical common- school education. When twenty-one years of age, he came to Exeter, and for three and a half years was a student in Phillips Academy. Soon after completing his academical course, he became the manager of Gorham Ilall, which he conducted for the academy for about six years. In 1889 he purchased the property, and has since conducted it as a hotel under its original name of the Squamscot. It was so called in honor of the Indian chief who, with two other chiefs, drew the deed of the land on which the town is situated, adorn- ing the document with his portrait as well as signature. Mr. Haynes takes great pleasure
in hunting, and is considered one of the best wing shots in this section.
On July 8, 1878, Mr. Haynes was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Trefethen, of Rye, N. H., a daughter of Charles and Dorothy (Marden) Trefethen. Her great-grandfather, and the Philbrick, Jenness, Rand, and Marden families were the original settlers of that town; and their little settlement was notable for the harmony maintained in it. The houses built by these pioneers have been handed down from one generation to another. Charles Trefethen became a house carpenter, and during all his active life bore the reputa- tion of being a first-class workman and an honest builder. He is now living in retirement on the farm where he was born. On January 7, 1896, he and his good wife, a venerable couple, aged respectively seventy-eight and seventy-nine years, celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Two sons and eight daughters have been born to them, of whom eight are living and have families of their own. They have twenty-three living grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They rejoice in the very unusual record that for over a half- century death has not entered their house- hold. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes have three chil- dren, as follows: Daisy C., a young lady of sixteen years, attending school and pursuing the study of music; Bessie O., who is in the class with her sister at the seminary, and has already manifested some artistic talent; and Paul, a promising lad of seven years. Mr. Haynes, following the lead of his ancestors, is a stanch Democrat, his father having voted for "Old Hickory." He has served very ac- ceptably as Deputy Sheriff.
OHN D. DANIELS, for several years past the Postmaster at North Notting- ham, was born in Nottingham, June 17, 1839, son of Henry P. and Me- hetabel F. (Demerritt) Daniels. His grand- father, Andrew A. Daniels, was a native of Barnstead, N. Il., born January 31, 1780. An- drew learned the trade of a wheelwright, and worked at that and farming throughout the active years of his life. During the War of 1812 he was on duty at Fort Constitution,
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Portsmouth. He was over eighty years of age when he died. His wife, Susan (Priest) Daniels, who was born in Nottingham, May 3, 1787, had four children that attained maturity. Three are now living; namely, Henry P., Ira T., and Mary Susan. Ira T., who was born in Barnstead, March 18, 1820, resides in Bar- rington, N. H. Mary Susan, born on October 8, 1830, is the widow of John S. Buzzell, of Barrington, N. H., and has a son and two daughters - Orin O., Lizzie, and Nellie.
Henry P. Daniels was born in Barnstead, February 23, 1809. In his boyhood he gained a practical knowledge of the common branches of study in the schools of his native town. He then engaged in farming in Durham, Strafford County; and in 1831 he came to Nottingham. Two years later he purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which he farmed until advancing age obliged him to retire from active labor. He is now
living with his daughter, Mrs. Holmes.
In
politics he is a Democrat. He served as Selectman for several years, as Deputy Sheriff for four years, and has been Justice of the Peace for the past twenty-five years. His wife, Mehetabel, born on March 18, 1810, to whom he was married on May 27, 1832, died on December 1, 1892, eighty-two years of age. He is now eighty-eight years of age. In religious belief she was a Free Will Baptist. But two of their five children are living, namely: John D., the subject of this sketch ; and Maria S., born June 2, 1842, who was married September 16, 1865, to William F. Holmes, of this town, and has two children- Frank J. and Lewis W., respectively born May 11, 1866, and January 10, 1874. Frank J. Holmes married Miss Lilla M. Lucy, daughter of Robert Lucy, of Nottingham, and has one son - Ray Earl Holmes, born No- vember 28, 1889. Lewis W. Holmes married Miss Ada May Tuttle, daughter of Granville Tuttle, of Nottingham, and has one son - Elmer H. Holmes, born September 10, 1895.
John D. Daniels began his education in Not- tingham. When he was seven years old, he removed with his parents to Great Falls, Strafford County, where his schooling was completed. In October, 1862, he enlisted for the Civil War in Company F of the Thirteenth
New Hampshire Regiment, with which he served for more than three years. On his re- turn from the war he settled in Nottingham, and for twelve years worked at the shoemaker's trade. In 1877 he established his present business, a general country store, at North Nottingham. In President Cleveland's first administration he was appointed Postmaster of this place, and has continued to hold the posi- tion since that time. Mr. Daniels was united in marriage with Miss Esther Y. Tuttle in September, 1863. She was born in Notting- ham on October 18, 1837, daughter of Oliver Tuttle. Two of their four children are living, namely : Scott L., born October 16, 1866; and Emma F., born August 8, 1868. The deceased were: Fred H., born August 20, 1870, who died October 22, 1875 ; and Perley H., born October 2, 1877, who died February 8, 1879. Mr. Daniels, like his father, is a Democrat, and has held the office of Deputy Sheriff for six years. He is a member of the Morrison Masonic Lodge, No. 90, of North- wood, and a comrade of C. H. Hoyt Post, No. 69, Grand Army of the Republic.
HARLES HENRY CLOUGH, City Treasurer of Portsmouth, was born in Exeter, N. H., December 8, 1840, son of John and Lydia Olive (San- born) Clough. John Clough was born in the vicinity of Exeter. In early boyhood he began to learn the printer's trade at Exeter, and before he attained his majority worked as a type-setter in the office of the Christian Ilerald. He was employed as a compositor in Exeter for a few years after his marriage, when he went to Boston, and there worked for a number of years in the printing-office of J. G. Torrey. The latter part of his life was spent at the home of his son, the subject of this sketch, in Portsmouth, where he died in his seventieth year. His wife, a native of Rockingham, N.H., whose maiden name was Lydia Olive Sanborn, died in Boston some time previous to her husband's demise. Of their eleven children eight attained maturity, and two are living.
Charles Henry Clough received his educa- tion in the Boston public schools. As the
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second-born of a large family, many responsi- bilities devolved upon him. When very young, he began to assist his mother in her household duties, and at the age of eleven faced the world in order to add his mite to the home treasury. He went to work at first in a printing-office as roller boy at two dollars and a half per week. Two years later he obtained employment in a millinery store. While here, he also earned his meals at a restaurant by waiting on table at noon-time. When only seventeen years of age, he became manager of a restaurant ; but, his health becoming seriously impaired, he decided to engage in trade. Fol- lowing this plan, he took charge of a store in South Acton, Mass., in which he kept almost everything in general use in a family. He remained about four years in South Acton, and then engaged in the millinery business at Hudson, Mass., with his aunt, his early expe- rience in Boston standing him in good stead. He soon added dry goods to the stock in trade, and conducted a fairly successful busi- ness for about three years. He then opcned a store of the same kind in South Boston, which he managed for about a year and a half, after which he came to Portsmouth, and engaged in the millinery business. This last venture proving a marked success, he has continued in it since, and at the present time owns one of the largest and most stylish millinery es- tablishments in the vicinity. Mr. Clough has been City Treasurer for some time. As will be gathered from the foregoing, he is a man of unusual ability, practically self-made.
In 1869 Mr. Clough was married to Lucy Munroe Rockwood, of South Boston, Mass., who died in 1873. In 1874 he entered a sec- ond marriage, contracted with Miss Annie L. Shaw, a native of Newfield, Me. She is a daughter of Elijah W. and Nancy (Nealey) Shaw, and a grand-daughter of Elder Elijah Shaw, a well-known Baptist divine, and one of the early publishers of the Christian Herald. Mrs. Clough is a lady of ability and good taste, and much of her husband's success since locating in Portsmouth is due to her assist- ance and good counsel. She has given birth to one son, Charles M., who married Miss Eleanor Starbird. Mr. Clough is an Odd Fellow, having membership in Osgood Lodge,
No. 48, all the chairs of which he has passed ; in Strawberry Bank Encampment; in Canton Senter, No. 12, of which he is Past Grand Patriarch and Past Commander. He is also a member of Zayden Colony, United Order of Pilgrim Fathers. A Baptist in religious be - lief, he is Deacon of the Middle Street Church, Secretary of the society, and superintendent of the Sunday-school.
AMES H. DOW, a popular salesman in the dry-goods store of G. B. French, of Portsmouth, is a native of this town, born February 7, 1840. Henry Dow, his grandfather, with two or three brothers, all natives of Scotland, settled in Seabrook, this county, probably among the pioneers. The older members of the family were remark- able instances of longevity. They were hard- working people, and they managed to acquire a goodly share of property. Henry Dow, who, like his ancestors, had a genius for hard work, was a prominent contractor and builder. His son, Isaac Dow, a tinsmith by trade, was reputed to be one of the best mechanics in his line in this part of the country. Isaac was a member of St. John's Masonic Lodge, of which he was Secretary for thirty-five years ; and of Piscataqua Lodge, No. 6, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, being one of the oldest in the lodge, and having served as its Secretary for a long term of years. He was also a member and the Treasurer for some time of both the Mechanics' Fire Society and the Mechanics' Association. As a member of the Christian church, he was a most exem- plary man, not being absent from divine ser- vice once in ten years ; and he was just as re- liable in all other relations of life. His wife bore him three children, two daughters and a son, James H.
James II. Dow, the second child of his par- ents, is descended from a long-lived race. In 1856 he was graduated from the Portsmouth High School, and took a position in the dry- goods store of Joseph A. Grace. Here he served ten years, being head clerk a part of the time. In 1866 he bought the fancy goods store of Isaac Hahn, and conducted it with the assiduity and enterprise characteristic of
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the Scotch grit of the Dows until 1874, when he sold out to good advantage. Since that time he has confined himself to the dry-goods business exclusively; and, with the exception of six years, three spent in Concord, N. H., and three in Lowell, Mass., he has been lo- cated in Portsmouth. For two years he was with F. F. Stackpole; but since 1889 he has been in the store of G. B. French as . general salesman, in which capacity he has made a very high record.
In 1891 Mr. Dow was united in matrimony with Zettie M. Bond, of Kittery Point, Me. He is a member of Piscataqua Lodge, No. 6, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1866, though he is not specially in- tcrested; and he was a charter member of Damon Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias, from which he has since retired. Since 1858 he has been a member of the Christian church. Personally, he is a man of wonderful constitu- tion, never having had occasion for the ser- vices of a doctor. He is very fond of outdoor life, and a lover of nature in all her moods. For seventeen years he has brought the first Mayflowers of the season to the newspaper offices. Mr. Dow keeps a boat, and takes great pleasure in boating, swimming, and kin- dred sports. His fine physique is paralleled by his mental development, which makes it easy for him to keep even with the best clerks in the world of commerce.
LVIN WIGGIN, an enterprising agri- culturist of Exeter, was born in the house that is now his residence in 1836, son of Joshua and Dorothy T. (Furneld) Wiggin. Joshua Wiggin, who was born near Exeter, and passed his entire life in the county, was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his adult years. He was a quict, retiring citizen, of an unassuming disposition. Hc performed faithfully the duties and bore willingly the responsibilities devolving upon him, while he did not aspire to political or social distinction. He pre- ferred rather to apply himself assiduously to his personal affairs, chief among which he placed the peace and comfort of his family. He passed away in 1880, mourned by all who
knew him. His estimable wife, who was a native of the same county, survived him until. 1887.
Alvin Wiggin grew to manhood on the home farm. He received his education in the com- mon schools of his native town. He had the choice of pursuing a higher course, but he re- linquished it in favor of his only brother, Jo- seph F., now a resident of Malden, Mass., who has been Judge of Probate and Mayor of Malden. Brought up to an agricultural life, he found it easy and natural to adopt farming as his chief occupation. He possesses onc hundred acres of excellent land ; and the farm- ing buildings which are located thereon are substantial, and are kept in a good state of re- pair, thereby giving to the property a general appearance of prosperity.
In 1867 Mr. Wiggin was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. French, of North Kings- ton, this county. The union was blessed by four . children - Joshua, Robert N., Anna Mary, and Laura Pearl. Death bercft Mr. Wiggin of the partner of his joys and sorrows in 1879. The family stands very high in the community. In fact, no family in Exeter is more esteemed. In political contests he is found in the ranks of the Democratic party.
HARLES A. KNIGHT, a leading resident of Atkinson, was born in this town, March 28, 1847, son of Alonzo and Eunice C. (Arrison) Knight. The family for some generations have followed agricultural pursuits in Atkin- son. Mr. Knight's grandfather, Samuel Knight, born here December 23, 1786, was a mason, and worked at that trade while en- gaged in farming on a valuable piece of agri- cultural property, where he resided until his death. He was an industrious man and a use- ful citizen, supporting the Republican party in politics during his latter years, and serving for a time as a member of the Board of Select- men. He died at the advanced age of ninety- two. Hc married Elizabeth Smith, a native of Byfield, Mass., and reared a family of three children, of whom Alonzo, Mr. Knight's father, was the eldest son. The only one now living is J. H. Knight, who married Caroline
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Johnson, of Atkinson. The mother lived to the age of eighty-one years.
Alonzo Knight was born in Atkinson, June 29, 181I. For some years he worked at the mason's trade in this town, but finally relin- quished it for farming. He conducted the homestead farm with energy and success until his death, which occurred April 27, 1896. In politics he was a Republican, and he ren- dered valuable service to the town as a Se- lectman. He was highly respected. His wife, Eunice, was a daughter of Benjamin Arrison, of Lynn, Mass. The only child of this union is Charles A., the subject of this sketch. The mother, who is still living, re- sides with Mr. Knight. She is a Universal- ist in religious belief, and her late husband attended that church.
Charles A. Knight acquired his education in the schools of his native town. At the age .of eighteen he began serving an apprentice- ship to the carpenter's trade in Haverhill, Mass. He afterward followed that occupation as a journeyman until 1890, when he settled at the old homestead, and has since devoted his attention to general farming. He has a well-improved farm, which under his manage- ment is yielding large crops of a superior quality. He is a Republican in politics, hav- ing supported that party since reaching his majority. Some years since he was appointed Game Warden, a position which he still holds.
On November 26, 1868, Mr. Knight wedded Hannah J. Low, daughter of John Low, of
Derry, N.H. Mrs. Knight
is now
the
mother of two sons, namely: Frank, born Au- gust 25, 1870; and Fred M., born May 26, 1877. Mr. Knight is connected with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics of Atkinson, in which he has held all of the important offices. Both he and his wife have many friends. They attend the Universalist church.
A® BRAHAM P. WENDELL, of the firm of A. P. Wendell & Co., Portsmouth, dealers in painters' supplies, cut- lery, and sporting goods, is one of the representative citizens of this city. He
was born in Portsmouth, February 16, 1844, son of Abraham Q. and Olivia (Simes) Wen- dell. The history of the family, compiled by one of its members, is the authority given below.
Evert Jansen Wendell, who was born in Embden, Holland, in 1615, came to America in 1640, and settled in the Dutch colony which had located on the site of New York City. He was a man of character, and filled various offices of trust, serving as magistrate in 1660-61. His son, Johannes Wendell, a large property owner and an influential citi- zen, was Captain in the militia in 1685, Alderman of Albany, and Magistrate for some time in that city. Abraham, the son of Johannes, was in business as a merchant in Boston for a number of years; and John, the son of Abraham, was a merchant and importer in that city. John was also active in public affairs, was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1733, and Captain of the company in 1740. His son John was the founder of the Portsmouth branch of the family. He entered Harvard at the age of fifteen, graduated in 1750, and received the degree of A.M. from Yale and Dartmouth Colleges respectively in 1768 and 1773. A lawyer of note, he practised in Portsmouth for a number of years, was a large land-owner, and, like his father, was one of the Commanders of the Ancient and Honor- able Artillery.of Boston. His death occurred in Portsmouth, April 29, 1808, in his seventy- seventh ycar. He first married Sarah, eldest daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth F. Went- worth, of Portsmouth, and sister of Eben Wentworth. Eleven children were born of this union. By his second wife, a lady of Portsmouth, whose maiden name was Sarah Sherbourne, eight children were added to the number of his offspring. Jacob, the sixth of these, was the great-grandfather of Abraham P. He was born in Portsmouth, December IO, 1788. A merchant and importer for many years in the Russian and West Indian trade, he acquired a handsome fortune. In 1815, with his brother Isaac, he established some of the carliest cotton-mills in New Hampshire, purchasing several water privileges through Daniel, and erecting the pioneer factory of
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the Great Falls corporation. Their large business ventures were made at a critical time in the financial life of the nation, and they failed in the panic of 1827. Jacob Wendell was a man of broad culture. He took much interest in antiquarian researches, and was a corresponding member of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society, which he joined in 1847. Jacob Wendell was a member of the South Parish Church of Ports- mouth. He died August 27, 1865- His wife, who was Mehitable Rindge, of Ports- mouth, bore him six children.
Abraham Wendell, the grandfather of our subject, was a ship chandler, and kept a gen- eral store at the corner of State and Water Streets, Portsmouth. For some years he was in company with his brother Jacob, under the firm name of A. & J. Wendell. After the partnership was dissolved, he removed to Bow Street, where he had a hardware store, and was engaged in ship chandlery up to within a few months of his death. His busy life ended at the age of eighty years. The children reared by him and his wife were: Daniel D., Jacob L., Abraham Q., Harvey F., John S., Gardner, Susan, and Valiria. Susan is now residing on the old homestead. Valiria is the widow of Edwin A. Peterson, who was a mem- ber of the firm of E. A. Peterson & Co., carpet dealers, the other member being his brother Archibald, a prominent merchant of New York. Edwin A. Peterson was Presi- dent of the New Hampshire National Bank for eight years. The youngest daughter, Ann, who was a talented musician, died in young womanhood.
Abraham Q. Wendell, the father of Abra- ham P., was educated in the private school of William C. Harris, whose monument, erected to his memory by his pupils, is standing to-day in Portsmouth. His early business training. was acquired while working as clerk for five years in the store conducted by Goddard & Pickering, and their successors, Richard Jen- ness, President of the Merchants' and Traders' Bank of Portsmouth. Aided by Mr. Jenness, he opened a hardware store of his own March 1, 1834, having bought his stock in Boston, to which he travelled by stage. HIe conducted a successful business till 1874, when at the
earnest solicitation of his sons he retired, leav- ing them in charge. Always strong in mind and body, he rarely took a vacation. He was a Jacksonian Democrat, Andrew Jackson being his first Presidential choice. He was elected to the State legislature four times in succes- sion, served on the School Committee inter- mittently for twenty years, and on the High School Committee for four years. As a mem- ber of the Portsmouth High School Building Committee, associated with Isaiah Wilson, he selected the plan of the building. He was a charter member of Piscataqua Lodge, No. 6, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, founded in 1844, passed through all the chairs, was a Trustee for a number of years, and was a dele- gate to the Grand Lodge. A member of the Universalist church, he was Warden for sev- eral years, and served on various committees. He died at the age of seventy, May 23, 1882. His wife, a daughter of George Simes, of Portsmouth, was an expert musician, and could play difficult pieces from memory when eighty years old. She was the mother of six children, namely: Annie M., wife of Harvey C. Rich, a wholesale fish dealer in Boston; Olivia, who died in childhood; Abraham P., whose name appears at the head of this article; Olivia, second, who lived but a short time; Abram Q., a commission merchant of Boston, who resides in Winthrop, Mass. ; and Henry, the junior member of the firm of A. P. Wen- dell & Co.
Abraham P. Wendell was born in Ports- mouth, February 16, 1844, and graduated from the Portsmouth High School in 1858. While attending school, he worked in his father's store afternoons, grinding paint and mixing putty. After his graduation he was employed there as clerk, in which capacity he worked until 1862, when he obtained a position as salesman and book-keeper in the hardware store of Brooks & Darling, of Dock Square, Boston. The senior member of this firm was the father of the late Phillips Brooks. He was subsequently in the employ of Joseph West & Co. Yielding to the wishes of his father, he returned home in the summer of 1863, and thereafter served as clerk in the Portsmouth store until March, 1866, when he was admitted to partnership, the firm name becoming A. Q.
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