USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 73
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of the firm. Abner Merrill's children were respectively named as follows: Mary E., Jeremiah L., Joseph W., Charles A., Ben- jamin L., Abner L., Henry R., and David W. Merrill.
Mary E. Merrill married Alfred Conner, of Exeter, and died November 6, 1894, aged seventy-seven years, leaving no children. Jeremiah L. Merrill, who was a lifelong resi- dent of Exeter, was associated with his father in business, and died March 8, 1879, aged sixty years. He married Mary E. Moses, a daughter of Theodore Moses, of Exeter, and reared one son, Joseph W. Merrill, Jr., who has his home at Exeter, and married Louise Clement Lane, a daughter of Joshua J. Lane, of Stratham, N. H. Joseph W. Merrill, the second son of Abner Merrill, was also asso- ciated with his father in business. He married Emeline A. Shute, a daughter of Robert Shute, of Exeter, and died in January, 1879, aged fifty-nine years, leaving one son, Charles H. Merrill, now a resident of Exeter. Charles A. Merrill, the third son of Abner Merrill, born February, 1822, was engaged in the apothecary business in his native town. He never married. His death occurred in 1886, aged sixty-four years. Benjamin L. Merrill, the fourth son of Abner Merrill, was a member of the firm of Abner Merrill & Sons, and a lifelong resident of Exeter. He was born February 12, 1824. He died in February, 1883, and with his death ended the long existing business of Abner Merrill & Sons. He married Achsah M. Blood, a daughter of James Blood, of Newburyport, Mass., and reared two children : Ella M., wife of George L. Ilsley, of Exeter; and Frank Abner Merrill. The latter married Carrie Scott, of Wyoming, Ill., and now resides in Boston.
Abner L. Merrill, the fifth son of Abner Merrill, was born January, 1826. He pre- pared for college at Phillips Exeter Academy, and was graduated from the classical depart- ment of Harvard College in the class of 1846. He at first thought to adopt a profession, studied medicine in the office of Dr. William Perry at Exeter, and graduated from the Med- ical Department of Harvard College in 1849; but, after practising as a physician in New-
buryport for a short time, he relinquished pro- fessional life, and engaged in mercantile business in Newburyport, which he there followed for a period of six years. In 1857 he removed to Boston, and became associated with his brother, Henry R. Merrill, as wholesale dealers in drugs, paints, and oils, which busi- ness was carried on for many years under the firm name of Merrill Brothers. In 1885 he retired from this business, and since then he has given his attention to private affairs. He married Harriett M. Robinson, a daughter of Jeremiah L. Robinson, of Exeter, and has no children.
Henry R. Merrill, the sixth son of Abner Merrill, was born in October, 1828. He pre- pared for college at Phillips Exeter Academy ; but having the hereditary bent for mercantile life, instead of adopting a profession, he en- gaged in trade. He was in business at Exeter until 1852, and later in the wholesale drug, paint, and oil business in Boston, retiring from active mercantile pursuits in 1890. His present residence is Boston. He married Martha J. Elliot, a daughter of Edmund Elliot, of Exeter, and has one child - Sarah Helen, who is the wife of Frank W. Hunt, of Boston. Abner Merrill's seventh and youngest son, David W. Merrill, was born in 1830, and has passed his life in Exeter, his native town. He married Mary, daughter of Emery Coffin, of Newburyport, and has three children - Florence, Sarah E., and Harry Merrill.
The family of Merrills in Exeter, brought up and educated under the common sense and practical influences of the earlier days, have been sturdy, active, and influential men in all of the walks of life, and evidence the great benefit of early careful and methodical training as the sure winners of success and prosperity.
ORNELL S. FRANKLIN, a retired naval officer of customs, residing in Portsmouth, was born December 6, 1812, in New York City, where he was also bred and educated. His parents were John and Charity (Cornell) Franklin, who had six sons and six daughters. He believes, as he laughingly asserts, that he has more nephews and nieces than any man in America. Ilis
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genealogy is traced back to Benjamin Frank- lin's brother, who commanded a regiment of cavalry before the Revolution. His grand- mother was twice married, and both her hus- bands were officers in the American army.
At the age of fourteen he entered upon a seafaring life, in which he continued eight years. During the following two years he was associated in a commercial enterprise with one of his brothers-in-law in Florida. On his return to his native city Mr. Franklin en- tered the United States naval service, with which he was connected for nearly forty years, having for three years of that time the rank of an officer. No man in the service was considered more conversant with its details and duties than he, and no official was more esteemed and respected.
Upon the solicitation of his uncle, Robert C. Cornell, he was appointed in 1840 as entry clerk by Thomas Lord, and subsequently re- tained in the same office by Cornelius Bogards, Jeremiah Towle, and by Governor Michael Hoffman. Politicians could not agree upon a successor to Mr. Hoffman (who died in office) ; and at the request of prominent merchants the President appointed Mr. Franklin Naval Officer ad Interim, and sent him a commis- sion. He gave bonds of ten thousand dollars, and served nearly three months in that capac- ity, when Philip Hone was appointed, who made Mr. Franklin his Special Deputy. Mr. Honé, dying in office, was succeeded by Aus- burn Birdsall, of Northampton, N. Y., who renewed Mr. Franklin's appointment of Spe- cial Deputy. David A. Bokee, of New York, was next appointed; and Mr. Franklin was continued by him in the same capacity. Moses F. Odell, of Brooklyn (ex-Congressman), suc- ceeded Mr. Bokee; and he retained Mr. Frank- lin as Special Deputy. Mr. Odell dying soon after his appointment, the merchants of New York in a "Monster Petition" applied for Mr. Franklin's appointment .to the vacant post, and President Johnson sent his name to the Senate. His confirmation was opposed by Senator Roscoe Conkling on the ground that the President had "promised " to appoint his friend, Mr. Usher. Mr. Franklin went to Washington, and had an interview with Mr. Conkling. The Senator would not yield, but
assured him that he should not be superseded. He kept the promise, and Mr. Franklin re- tained his position many months, serving under General E. A. Merritt, who was next appointed, and Heman I. Redfield. Ile also served as Special Deputy under John Romeyn Brodhead, the historian. In 1880 Mr. Frank- lin resigned, receiving the cordial thanks of General Merritt for "the great aid you ren- dered me in assuming the duties of my office." Coming to Portsmouth, he took up his resi- dence here, and is now passing his days in quiet contentment. Although not physically strong, his mental faculties are keen and vig- orous, and his memory remains unimpaired.
In March, 1837, Mr. Franklin was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Louisa, daugh- ter of Captain Lewis Barnes, of Portsmouth, by the Rev. Dr. Burroughs, at St. John's Episcopal Church, of which he is one of the oldest and most valued members. The only child born of the union was a daughter, who was baptized by Dr. Burroughs, and who sub- sequently died at sea. Mr. and Mrs. Frank- lin had a happy wedded life of fifty-seven years, celebrating in March, 1887, their golden wedding, at which Mr. Hovey was the officiating minister, their pleasant resi- dence on Middle Street being the scene of the festivities. Mrs. Franklin died December 10, 1894. Mr. Franklin's dwelling is a fine old mansion, which he preserves as far as possible in its Colonial style, it being one of the land- marks of the city. The interior is full of in- terest to the lovers of art and curios. Among its noteworthy attractions is the front hall, which was hung eighty years ago with paper illustrating different scenes in Scott's "Lady of the Lake," the whole being in a fine state of preservation.
B ENJAMIN CHASE, a well-known manufacturer of Derry, Rockingham County, N. H., was born in 1832, in that part of Chester, in the same county, which has since been incorporated as Auburn, his parents being Benjamin and Han- nah (Hall) Chase.
He is of English extraction, the names of four generations of the family being recorded
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in the parish of Chesham, Bucks County, England. Two of the last there registered, Thomas and Aquila Chase, brothers, emi- grated to America, and were among the origi- nal settlers of Hampton, N. H., in 1639. In 1646 Aquila removed to Newbury, Mass .; and from there his descendants in the early gener- ations migrated to the newer parts of New England. Probably a majority of the Chases of the Northern States, who are now very nu- merous, and many of whom have become men of note, are lincal descendants of Aquila Chase, of Newbury. Wells Chase, of the fifth generation in this country, removed to Ches- ter, N. H., in 1771. His son, Benjamin Pike Chase, a native of West Newbury, Mass., was then nine years of age. He grew to manhood in Chester, and there participated prominently in town affairs. Religiously, he was affili- ated with the Presbyterian church, which he served in the honorable and responsible ca- pacity of Deacon.
Benjamin Chase, son of Benjamin P. Chase, was born in 1799. Though his schooling was very limited, by perseverance he acquired a fair education. He became an energetic and successful millwright, and made many im- provements over the saw-mills and grist-mills preceding his time. He was also much em- ployed in surveying land in Chester and the vicinity, and in addition to these lines of ac- tivity he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1826 he wedded Miss Hannah Hall, a daughter of Moses K. Hall, of Chester. Her original English ancestor in this country, Deacon Richard Hall, settled in Bradford, Mass., as carly as 1673. The union of Benjamin and Hannah Chase was blessed in the birth of three children, two daughters and one son, the direct subject of the present sketch.
In carly manhood Benjamin Chase, Sr., em- braced the principle of total abstinence from the use of all alcoholic spirits as a beverage, also becoming an carnest advocate of peace sentiments as opposed to war; and, when William Lloyd Garrison initiated his great campaign against negro slavery in the South, he likewise became a thorough-going Aboli- tionist, and participated very actively in the movement. In 1869 he published his " His- tory of Chester, N. H., from 1719 to Date,"
which is generally conceded to be one of the most valuable of the records concerning the sturdy pioneers who populated this part of New Hampshire. In religious belief and sympathy he was identified with the Presby- terian church of Chester, in which he offici- ated as Deacon, as had his father before hint. Deacon Benjamin Chase was an enterprising and industrious citizen. He followed as his motto the Scriptural injunction, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." He was universally recognized in his broad circle of acquaintance as a man of sterling character. He was a lifelong resident of that part of Chester which is now known as Auburn, where he passed away in 1889 in his ninetieth year, his wife also attaining the same age.
The longevity of the family of Chase is quite remarkable. For six successive genera- tions the heads of families in the direct line of this branch have lived beyond the "three- score and ten years "; and in the family circle of Mr. Chase's grandfather the average age of seven members was above eighty-four years, with one member now living on the old homestead in his ninety-third year.
Benjamin Chase, son of Deacon Benjamin, and the only surviving member of his father's family, grew to manhood on the paternal es- tate in Auburn, enjoying in his boyhood and youth the usual intellectual advantages offered by the district schools. He subsequently at- tended for several winter terms a select school at Lee, N.H., where he profited by the in- struction of that magnetic and progressive educator, the late Moses A. Cartland. With only brief interruptions, he co-operated with his father in the work on the farm and in the millwright business until his twenty-first year. His distaste for agricultural pursuits being carly recognized, he was not only allowed, but encouraged by his father, in a very free use of mechanical tools in the work- shop. He accordingly developed considerable skill in that line; and at the age of fifteen, in order to replenish the family exchequer, he began to ply mechanical pursuits by the day. At the termination of his period of schooling he gratified the craving felt by many a lad to go to sea, taking a voyage before the mast
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to Mobile, and thence to Liverpool, England. This experience he now considers was a very practical and beneficial graduation into life's higher school. On his return he performed further mechanical service in conjunction with his father until 1855, after which he was em- ployed as a millwright in various textile man- ufactories in New Hampshire and Massachu- setts till 1867, when he commenced business in Derry, in a line of work connected with the manufacture of cotton and woollen goods. He has since at various times added other de- partments of wood-work to his industry, de- vising his own special machinery for accom- plishing his purposes.
In 1875 Mr. Chase was united in marriage with Miss Harriett D. Fuller, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jared Fuller, of Dunbarton, N.H. Her English progenitor in this coun- try, Robert Fuller, was a citizen of Dorches- ter, Mass., as carly as 1646. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have one child, a daughter, Harriett Louise by name, who is now a student at Pinkerton Academy in Derry. Mr. Chase is essentially a self-made man, and his enter- prise and progressiveness have been crowned with a gratifying degree of success.
RTHUR JOHN PITMAN, M.D., of Candia, born in Alexandria, N.H., on July 4, 1868, son of George T. and Aurilla M. (Brock) Pitman. The Pitman family in New Hampshire is of English lineage, having originated with three English emigrants, who crossed the Atlantic more than one hundred and fifty years ago, two settling in Lee, N.H., and the third in North Conway, N. H.
John Pitman, born in Lec, N. H., in 1732, removed with his brother Samuel to Barnstead in 1789. He died on February 28, 1834, at the venerable age of one hundred and one years and nine months. . His son, John Pit- man, second, was born in Barnstead, as also was John Pitman, third, Dr. Pitman's grand- father, who removed in early manhood to Alexandria, Grafton County, being one of the first to settle in that town, where he spent his life in farming. He married Fanny Miles; and eight children were the fruit of their
union, three of whom are living, namely : Warren, in Alexandria; Ira, in Boston, Mass. ; and Susan, widow of David Gilson, of Nashua, N.H.
George T. Pitman, son of John, third, and Fanny M. Pitman, and father of Arthur J., was born in Alexandria, and there grew to manhood. His later years were spent in Barnstead, N. H., where he was principally engaged in farming, in connection with which he did a moderate business in lumbering and speculating. Aurilla M. Pitman, his wife, bore him three children, all now living, namely: Albert G., in Barnstead; Eva M., in Manchester, N. H .; and Arthur J. In po- litical views their father was a Democrat. He died on February 26, 1895, aged sixty years and six months.
Arthur J. Pitman obtained his preliminary education under Kit Foster, of Pittsfield, N. H., in the high school of that town, and at Austin Academy in Strafford. He began the study of medicine with Dr. John Wheeler, of Pittsfield, as preceptor, then entered the Dart- mouth Medical School, and still later took a post-graduate course in the Harvard Medical School. During the eighteen months that fol- lowed he was on duty at the Massachusetts State and City Hospitals (under George M. Garland). Dr. Pitman set up in practice for himself in Auburn in 1892, whence a year and a half later he came to Candia Village. His professional calls come not only from people here, but also from the surrounding towns of Deerfield, Auburn, Chester, and Raymond, showing the confidence placed in his skill and judgment. He is a surgeon as well as physician. In Auburn he performed a successful amputation, and in Candia has had six cases of broken hip joint, all of which have come through successfully.
Dr. Pitman was married in the spring of 1892 to Miss Ida M. Bunker, daughter of Milo W. Bunker, of Barnstead, N.H. They have had one child, who died in infancy. Dr. Pitman is a member of the State Medical Society, also of Rockingham Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., of Candia, He and his wife are attendants of the Congregational church. At the present time he is erecting a residence near the depot in Candia.
ARTHUR J. PITMAN.
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OHN ANDERSON MOORE, an in- fluential and highly esteemed citizen of Windham, N. H., and an Elder of the Presbyterian church of Londonderry, was born March 1, 1831, son of James and Jane (Anderson) Moorc. The Moore farm, his birthplace, which he still occupies, was the homestead of his great-grandfather, William Moore, who fought at Bunker Hill. His emi- grant ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were of Scottish origin, and came to this country from the north of Ireland in the carly part of the eighteenth century. Seven emi- grants bearing the name of Moore or Moor, it is said by a gentleman who has given much study to this question, and to whom we are indebted for the information, were early set- tlers of Londonderry. The first comers, who were among the original sixteen colonists in April, 1719, are designated as Charter Samuel, Charter John, and Charter James; and soon after these appeared John, of the English Range; James, who married Elizabeth Gregg ; a llugh and a William.
The subject of this sketch is a lineal de- scendant in the fifth generation of James and Elizabeth (Gregg) Moore, the latter having been a daughter of Captain James Gregg, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, who was one of the sixteen original settlers of Londonderry, N. H. William Moore, born in Londonderry, N. H., in 1733, son of James and Elizabeth, married Martha Mack, daughter of John and Isabella (Brown) Mack, who came to London- derry in 1732. Lieutenant William, son of William, born August 16, 1761, married Sarah, daughter of Thomas McClary, and was the father of James, second of the name, born De- cember 24, 1792. This James Moore, of the fourth generation, married April 1, 1823, Jane, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Nesmith) Anderson. Mrs. James Moore's father was a grandson of James Anderson, one of the sixteen original settlers; and her mother was a grand-daughter of Elder James Nesmith, an- other of the first sixteen. James Moore, Mr. Moore's father, was a native and lifelong resi- dent of Windham, carrying on the homestead farm with activity, and residing here until his death; and he served as a soldier in the 1812 War, having been enrolled in the forces which
garrisoned Portsmouth. Of his children there are two survivors, namely: Cynthia, wife of WV. L. Hay, of Iowa Falls, Ia. ; and John Anderson, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Moore's mother, Mrs. Jane A. Moore, died December 3, 1854. She was a member of the Presbyterian church in Londonderry.
John A. Moore was but nine months old when his father died. He has always resided at the Moore homestead in Windham, and from his early boyhood to the present day he has been actively engaged in tilling the soil. It was necessary for him to begin the labors of life as soon as able to be of any assistance to his mother, who continued to conduct the farm; and at the age of fifteen he practically took charge of the property. His education was limited to a few brief winter terms of the district school and a short course at Pinkerton Academy in Derry ; but, being naturally self- reliant, he succeeded in securing by his own efforts a practical English education. Be- coming the owner of the ancestral homestead after the death of his mother, he has since continued to cultivate the farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres with prosperity, raising large crops of an extra fine quality ; and his success as a general farmer is the result of a wise and diligent application. He has always taken a deep interest in local public affairs, having served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for a number of years, and as such rendered valuable service to the town.
On November 23, 1854, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Nancy Elizabeth Armstrong. She was born in Derry, daughter of James and Alice (Kidder) Armstrong, the former of whom was a native of Windham, and the latter of Groton, N. F. The Armstrong family is one of the oldest in this town, Mrs. Moore being a descendant, in the sixth generation, of the original ancestors here. Her grandfather, John Armstrong, was a prominent citizen of his clay. James Armstrong, Mrs. Moore's father, in carly life lived for a short time in Derry, N. II., and subsequently in other places. The greater part of his life, however, was spent in Windham, where he was for many years a leading spirit in public affairs, serving as Col- lector, Treasurer, and a member of the Board of Selectmen. He finally gave up his farm to
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his eldest son, and passed his few remaining years in lludson, N. H. He was a useful citizen, who merited the general good will accorded him by all. Of his family there are three survivors, namely : Nancy Elizabeth, who is now Mrs. Moore; James E. ; and Oscar O.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore have three children as follows: Alice J., born April 24, 1858; Nellie Orietta, born May 18, 1861, married R. M. Hills; and Cinderella J., born Novem- ber 16, 1866. The family occupy an important position in society here. Mr. and Mrs. Moore and their daughters are members of the Lon- donderry Presbyterian church, of which, as above mentioned, Mr. Moore is an Elder. He is well known as a public-spirited, high- minded citizen, who takes a hearty interest in the general welfare. Socially, he is connected with the Pilgrim Fathers.
ENJAMIN F. ROWE, a prominent citizen of Kingston, now retired from active business, was born in East Kingston, November 23, 1821. He is the son of Joseph F. and Mary (Thayer) Rowe, the former a native of Kensington, this county, the latter of Kingston. His great- grandfather, Benjamin Rowe, was a physician of Kensington; and his grandfather, Dr. Ben- jamin Rowe, also a well-known and highly esteemed physician, practised in Kensington and East Kingston. He also resided in East Kingston in the latter part of his life, and died there, November 7, 1818. His wife, whose maiden name was Joanna Tilton, passed away on March 20, 1843, having attained the advanced age of ninety-two years. They had eight children; namely, Mollie, Joseph F., Sarah, Timothy, William, Lucy, Betsey, and Benjamin. All are now deceased.
Joseph F. Rowe studied medicine, but he subsequently made choice of a farmer's life. He settled on a farm in the northern part of East Kingston, and was engaged in agricult- ure until he died, July 13, 1829. His wife passed away April 14, 1859. She was a daughter of the Rev. Elihu Thayer, D.D., a native of Braintree, Mass., born March 28, 1747. Dr. Thayer was ordained December 18, 1776, as minister of Kingston, retaining that
charge up to his death, which occurred April 3, 1812. He was married December 28, 1780, to Miss Hannah Calef, of Kingston, who died March 10, 1841, aged eighty-two years. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Rowe had nine children, namely: Betsey, who died in childhood; Mary Ann, who died June 24, 1889; Adeline, who died December 13; 1849; Luther, who died October 27, 1883; Elihu, who died March 21, 1867; Sarah E., who died July 18, 1849; Martha T., wife of George B. Webster; Benjamin F., whose name appears at the head of this article; and Hannah T., the widow of M. H. Holmes, of Londonderry, now living in Kingston village.
Benjamin F. Rowe obtained an education in the common schools and the academy of his native town. * He started in life for himself in 1842 on the homestead farm in East Kingston, and was keeping a store in that place for some time. Subsequently he worked at the car- penter's trade for six years in Boston, Cam- bridge, Mass., and East Kingston. About 1867 he sold his farm, went West, and settled in Manhattan, Kan., where he remained some five years, working at carpentry and other branches of industry. He had removed to Kansas on account of ill-health, hoping to be benefited by a change of climate; and at the end of five years he returned to Kingston, settling where he now lives. For some years he was engaged in general farming, and also worked at his trade. He is now practically retired from all active occupation. Mr. Rowe worked very industriously during his active period, and is now enjoying the fruits of his toil.
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