Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire, Part 11

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Buffalo, Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 612

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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

Court, succeeding Judge Nathaniel P. Berry, when that gentleman was elected Governor in 1861; Mr. Westgate retired from office in 1871 by reason of constitutional limitation of age. During his residence in Enfield he filled various offices of public trust, including such as superin- tendent of the schools, town clerk, and post- master for several years. He was chosen a representative from Haverhill to the State Leg- islature in 1861. At the time of his death his sons, Tyler and William F., held the offices of Judge and Registrar of the Probate Court of Grafton Co., respectively.

Nov. 14, 1842, the father of our subject mar- ried Louisa Tyler, and to them were born six children: Tyler, Nathaniel W., Jr., deceased; Jennie L .: Frederick Austin, deceased; William Francis; and George Henry. Mr. Westgate was the administrator of the Tyler estate. He was born Jan. 26, 1801, and died Dec. 16, 1890, in his ninetieth year. His wife died in Haverhill, N. H., March 16, 1895.

The mother of our subject was a grand-daugh- ter of Col. Benjamin Tyler, who was born at Wallingford, Conn., Feb. 22, 1732, the same day which is noted in American history as the natal day of George Washington. Col. Tyler married Mehitabel Andrews of Farington, Conn.

The former's son, Ephraim, was the second in a family of eleven children that made up the family; he was born at Wallingford, Conn., and died at Claremont, N. H., Dec. 16, 1823. He married Abigail Pardee, who preceded her hus- band to the immortal fields March 18, 1814, at an age of fifty-four years.

Austin Tyler, the fifth child in his father's family of eleven children, was born at Clare- mont. Jan. 6, 1790, was married March 6, 1814, and died Aug. 12, 1844. His wife was Almira Kingsbury, who was born at Keene, N. H., March 6, 1799, and died at Claremont, Dec. 19, 1867: she assumed the marriage obligations on her fifteenth birthday. She was the only child of Daniel and Hannah (Bailey) Kingsbury, and a granddaughter of Deacon Daniel Kingsbury of Keene, N. H. Austin Tyler was one of the foremost men of his vicinity and generation, and held many of the most important public offices. In 1810 he was deputy sheriff for Cheshire Co .: was selectman for nine years, moderator for a long time, justice of the peace, and representa-

tive to the New Hampshire Legislature in 1827- 28-31-32-35-36-37-42, besides being State Sen- ator in 1838. In 1822 he was paymaster of the 15th Reg., 5th Brigade, 3rd Division of the New . Hampshire militia. The Claremont Aqueduct Association elected him its president, and he con- tinued to hold the position and the esteem of his supporters for a long term of years. Besides the many public offices he held, he was appointed by will as guardian of many minors, and as adminis- trator of not a few estates.

Wait's History of Claremont says: "He was one of the most active, enterprising, and public- spirited men in the town at his time." In 1835 he published "Tyler's Tax-Maker's Book," a very valuable work, which has been placed and used in nearly every town in New Hampshire, and has seen service throughout the States in the Union. When suffering an affection of the lungs he started on a short sea voyage, about three weeks before his death, hoping that he might be benefited by the trip. The short voyage hav- ing seemingly benefited him, he was making arrangements for a journey to the West Indies, when death cut short his plans.

Louisa Tyler, the mother of Judge Tyler Westgate, was the second in a family of seven children, making up her parents' household; she was born at Claremont, N. H., March 30, 1818. In 1831 she attended Mrs. E. M. Hutchison's school for young ladies at West Lebanon, N. H. In 1832 she was a pupil at the Misses Stevens and Thatcher's school at Claremont, and in 1834 went to Keene, N. H., to the Young Ladies' Seminary at that place. She was instructed in music ,in 1836 by Miss Pratt, and in 1838 and 1839 by Prof. Long.

William Francis Westgate, next younger brother living to Tyler Westgate, was born at Enfield, N. H., July 5, 1852, and received his education in the Haverhill, Meriden, and New London Academies, graduating at length from Dartmouth College, in 1875. He read law in his father's office with Hon. George F. Putnam, and. was admitted to the New Hampshire bar in 1880. He has ever taken an active interest in politics. He was a member of the board of education. acting as chairman and secretary for six years. He also served one term in the Legislature of 1883, as representative of the town of Haverhill. For many years Mr. Westgate was a member of

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

the Republican State Committee, and chairman of the County Committee. In 1884 he was elected Register of Probate for the county, and re-elected in 1886, and in 1888 was appointed by the Supreme Court to fill out a vacancy of two years that occurred in the office. In 1895 he was appointed justice of Haverhill Police Court, a position he now holds. He is an expert surveyor and civil engineer, and has done a large insur- ance business in the village of Haverhill and its vicinity.

George H. Westgate was born at Enfield, N. 11., May 9, 1854, and secured an education in Haverhill Academy and in St. Johnsbury Acad- emy. Mr. Westgate is engaged in pursuits of an agricultural nature, and resides in Haverhill with the remainder of the members of the family. He is a member of the Haverhill Grange.

All three brothers are strong Republicans. Judge Westgate is a member of Grafton Lodge, No. 46. A. F. & A. M. William F. is a member of the Grange, and is also a K. P.

The publishers of this Book of Biographies take great pleasure in placing Judge Westgate's portrait in this volume in connection with this sketch, sure that it will meet with a worthy re- ception, as the likeness of one who stands high in the legal profession.

GEORGE F. MORRIS, attorney at law of Lisbon, N. H., was born in Vershire, Vt., April 13, 1866. He is a son of Josiah S. and Lucina C. (Merrill) Morris, and grandson of William M. and Esther P. (Southworth) Morris.

In his pursuits the grandfather of our sub- ject was an agriculturist and was actively en- gaged in overseeing his farm in Thetford, Vt., throughout the whole of his active period. He was born in Woodstock, Conn., Aug. 28, 1783, and died in Vershire, Vt., Feb. 9, 1873. He was a Democrat in politics, and was a veteran of the War of 1812. His wife, a native of Fairlee, V't., presented him with the following children: Lo- renzo G., now a merchant in Limestone, Me .; Sally S .. who died in infancy; Ann Maria (Colton) of Bradford. Vt .: Myra P. (Goodhue) of Brad- ford, Vt .; William H., a painter, Lebanon, N. II .: George F., a mason, Bradford, Vt .; Josialı S .. the father of our subject, died July 21, 1871 ;

and Cyrus M., a farmer in Limestone, Me. In their religious views they favored the doctrines of the Congregational Church.

Josiah S. Morris was educated in the schools of Thetford, Vt., and upon completion of his education worked in the Pemberton Mills in Lawrence, Mass., where he was soon advanced to the position of overseer. At the time of that terrible disaster, the falling of the mill, Jan. 10, 1860, he received injuries of so serious a char- acter that he never fully recovered. After this he went to Vershire, Vt., and followed the oc- cupation of a farmer for the remainder of his life. He was a Republican in his political af- filiations. Aug. 28, 1864, he married his wife, who was the daughter of Silas and Emeline (Fellows) Merrill, both natives of Corinth, Vt. To Josiah S. and Lucina C. Morris was born the subject of this personal narration.

George F. Morris was educated in the com- mon schools of Corinth, Vt., 'and graduated from the Corinth Academy, and from the State Normal School at Randolph, Vt., in the class of January, 1885. He at once began teaching in the common schools of Vershire and New- bury, Vt. He was principal of the Graded School at Wells River, Vt., in 1886, the Essex County Grammar School for four years and the Woodsville, N. H., High School in 1890-1. He was also director and instructor of a summer school established at Wells River for the instruc- tion of teachers in methods for two seasons. He studied law with the law firm of Smith & Sloane at Wells River, Vt. His preparations for his chosen profession were necessarily confined to school vacations and evenings, as a large share of his attention was devoted to earning the nec- essary funds with which to pursue his studies and establish himself in practice. He was ad- mitted to the Vermont bar at Montpelier, Vt., in October, 1891, and subsequently to the New Hampshire bar. He at once commenced the practice of law in Lisbon, N. H., and was asso- ciated with Harry M. Morse under the firm name of Morse & Morris from Nov. 17, 1891, until July 20, 1892, when he bought out the in- terest of Mr. Morse, since which time he has practiced alone. Already he has established a business which is not confined to his own town. Although still young in legal experience, his well-cultivated and progressive mind enables

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

him to reach quick solutions of knotty points; he is considered by his townspeople to be a very. successful lawyer. In politics, he is a Republi- can and is already thoroughly identified with his party in town, county, and state affairs. For four years he held the office of county examiner of teachers in Orange County, Vt. He takes a great interest in the welfare of the public schools, and since 1893, has been chairman of the board of education in Lisbon. He is a Ma- son, and belongs to Kane Lodge, No. 64, Lis- bon, N. H.

May 16, 1894, he was married to Lula J. Ald- rich, daughter of Charles and Persis H. Aldrich of Lisbon, N. H. Religiously, they are regular attendants of the Congregational Church at Lis- bon, N. H.

HON. LEBINA H. PARKER is a prosper- ous and well-to-do farmer and lumberman of the town of Benton, of which he is at present the first selectman. He was born in the above-men- tioned town Nov. 18, 1856, and is a son of Prescott and Maria (Fitzpatrick) Parker, and a grandson of Prescott and Hannah (Amy) Parker.

Prescott Parker, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Lyman, N. H., and occu- pied a prominent place in the solid agricultural interests in that section of the State. His wife, Hannah Amy, a native also of Lyman, bore him the following children: Douglas, Elvira, Alan- tha, Hannah, Purcis, Angelina, and Prescott. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat. The family were members of the M. E. Church' of Benton, and were counted as among the most regular attendants.

Prescott Parker, Jr., was born in Lyman, Nov. 30, 1821, and received his early mental training in the common schools of Lyman, N. H. As a farm hand he started in the battle of life: his carnings were carefully saved, and his resources husbanded until he had saved a sufficient amount to purchase a farm in Lyman. On his farm in Lyman he followed the pursuit of agriculture until the year 1855, when he came to Benton and bought some property, but lived on it but a short time, trading it with Daniel Whitcher for the farm he still owns and operates, and where he has made his home

since 1858. He married Maria. Fitzpatrick, a native of the County of Cork, Ireland, and to them have been born three children: Frank B., Dora A., and Lebina H., the subject of this notice. In political belief he is a Democrat of a pronounced type, and has served the town as selectman, and as representative in 1877-78. Both he and his family favor the M. E. Church. He is counted as one of its most liberal sup- porters.

Lebina H. Parker, ' having passed the years of his minority in acquiring an education in the schools and in assisting his father in the farm work, upon his reaching his majority hired out as a farm hand. at $15.00 a month. He has always made his home with his parents, and at the present time is employed by the Fall Moun- tain Paper Co. of Bellows Falls, Vt., as an in- spector of lumber and as pay clerk. He is a stanch Democrat, and takes a lively and intelli- gent interest in town and local affairs. He has been frequently honored with high positions of

trust, which he has filled with consummate ad- dress and good results. He was elected third selectman for four years, and then first select- man for eight years, a position he now holds. He was a member of the State Legislature one term, representing the town of Benton. He is very popular and well-liked by all of his fellow- townsmen, who unite, regardless of party, in praising his wise administrations.

CHAS. T. COLLINS, a prosperous agricul- turist of Benton, Grafton Co., N. H., was born in Southboro, Mass., Aug. 8, 1831, and is a son of Temple and Sally (Flagg) Collins, both natives of the State of Massachusetts. The grandfather of Chas. T. was of Scotch extraction and emigrated to this country when a young man with the purpose of bettering his fortunes in a new country. It is thought he settled first in Massachusetts, living there the most of his years spent in this country.

Temple Collins, the father of our subject, was born in Massachusetts and owed whatever edu- cation he received to the public school system of that State. When not more than a boy in years and size he worked by the month as a

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

farm hand. His wages, although scanty, were carefully hoarded, and he was at length able to buy a small farm in Southboro, Mass. His entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits; among the respected citizens of his community he occu- pied a prominent place. In politics he was a Democrat, and served his town as selectman. He married Sally Flagg, a daughter of William and Lydia Flagg, both natives of Southboro, Mass., and to them were born eleven children: Lowell T., Rebecca, Sophia, Ann, Jane, John, Maria, Nancy, and a second John, and Charles T .. the subject of this sketch. The first John and Jane are no longer living. The mother died in January of 1860. the father following her in 1863. In their religious views they were liberal.

Charles T. Collins passed the early years of his life quietly in his native town, and when he became of age learned the shoemaker's trade; lie followed this trade for twelve years, when he removed to Benton, N. H., and turned his en- tire attention to agricultural pursuits. The steady industrial march of the free States in the Union was broken by the opening up of hostili- ties between North and South. Mr. Collins en- listed as a private in Co. A., 9th Reg., N. H. Vol. Inf., in the year 1862, and served one year and eleven months. He participated in the battles of Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Waterboro, and in several minor skirmishes and engagements with the enemy, where only the point of numbers prevented them from being styled battles. He contracted chills and fever from which he has never fully recovered, and which led to his discharge for disability. For five months he was under medical care in the United States General Hospital, which was located at Concord, N. H.

He was married on July the 9th, 1857, to Sarah, daughter of Eli and Mary Ann (Senot) Pike. Eli Pike was a native of Plymouth, N. H .; his wife Mary Ann Senot was from Kennebunk- port, Me. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of six children, three of whom survive: Leander, Enima L., and Charley P. Those who have entered the ranks of the great majority are: Mary. Alta, and Cora. Politically, he is a Re. publican. but was never an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Grand Army, belonging to the Col. Emery Post, No. 25 of Lisbon, N. H.

MOODY C. MARSTON, a prosperous farmer of the town of Bath, Grafton Co., N. H., was born in Haverhill, N. H., Aug. 10, 1840; he is a son of William Coolidge and Lucy (Frary) Marston, and grandson of David and Susan (Bronson) Marston.

Our subject's grandfather was born in Con- necticut, and so limited were the opportunities and facilities for the acquiring of an education that he could only secure the rudiments of an education by studying at home in the evenings; slates not being in common use, the children were accustomed to cipher on birch bark. When 25 years of age he moved to North Ben- ton, where he purchased a farm in the Whitcher neighborhood and followed the occupation of a farmer in that locality for a considerable length of time. Subsequently he changed his residence to North Haverhill, N. H., buying a farm and remaining there the rest of his life that he de- voted to agricultural pursuits. He married Susan Bronson, a native of his own State of Connecticut, and their union was blessed with three children, namely: Mehitabel, Lucy, and William C., the father of our subject. Mr. Marston was a stanch Democrat throughout his life and never required the least urging to sup- port with all his power the nominees and prin- ciples of his party ; in his younger days he was actively interested in politics and served his town as town clerk and as justice of the peace. In his religious views he was a Free Will Baptist. His death occurred in 1860, when he was sev- enty-six years old; his wife departed this life for the blessed scenes beyond the river with the loved ones gone before, in 1870, at the age of eighty-six.

William C. Marston, the youngest child of David Marston, was born in the town of Benton, N. H., July 28, 1815. He secured a limited education in the schools of his native town, and at the early age of fourteen bought a farm, which is now occupied by Amos Wilson of Bath. After a few years spent in its cultivation he sold the property and went to Haverhill, where he purchased another farm and engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the leading members of his community and much respected by all who appreciated his sterling worth. In 1866 he disposed of his Haverhill property and removed to South New-

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

bury, Vt., where he remained six years, return- ing at the conclusion of that period to Haverhill and purchasing another farm, which he culti- vated with marked success; on account of his declining years and rapidly failing health, which precluded much active work, he sold his farm in 1880 and bought a residence in the vil- lage of North Haverhill, N. H., where both he and his wife still live, enjoying the fruits of their years of toil with no anxious thought of the mor- row. Mr. Marston married in 1838 Lucy Frary, daughter of Elisha and Mary (Stearns) Frary of Bath, N. H .; their union has been productive of five children: Ellen, Moody, Roselle, Ella, and a child, William S., who died in infancy. Like his father, Mr. Marston is an uncompromising Democrat, holding several offices-selectman for two terms and town representative for one term of two years. He is a Universalist. There are few residents of the town who are held in more respect than is Mr. Marston, and all of his large circle of acquaintances unite in their eulogies of his well-spent life.

Moody C. Marston was educated in the dis- trict schools of Haverhill, N. H., and in Bradford Academy of Bradford, Vt .; he lived under the parental roof until he was twenty-four years old, assisting his father in the management and care of the farm. In 1862 he enlisted in the 11th Reg. N. H. Vol. Inf., the regiment forming a part of the Second Brigade of the 9th Army Corps; his captain was George Pingree. Although our subject enlisted for three years, he served but two months, contracting typhoid fever and rheumatism, which necessitated hospital care. Hle was taken to Armory Square Hospital and was discharged in March 15, 1863. Soon after his return home he went to Lynn, Mass., where he learned the trade of a shoemaker. Later on he bought a one-third interest in a shoe manu- factory, which ran for a time under the style of G. A. Willey & Co. Mr. Marston remained with this company for two years, and then, sell- ing his interest, he came back to Haverhill, where he engaged in the manufacture of car- riages and in the 'running of a saw-mill; his lack of experience in this branch of work proved slightly disastrous to him, so he sold the busi- ness before it had made serious inroads upon his capital. and took up farming in the town of Haverhill for a year. He then went to Woods-

ville, N. H., where he was at first employed by the B. C. & M. R. R. as a watchman; he grad- ually worked his way up through the different grades of the service to the station of a con- ductor, retaining that position till 1882, being conductor on the stock train for seven years. From the railroad life he turned his attention and energies to farming again, remaining in Center Haverhill for five years, busied in that occupation. Upon selling his farm at the end of the five years he came to Bath and bought his present farm of 280 acres, which is utilized in general farming of the most diversified char- acter.

In 1863 he was joined in marriage to Clara White, daughter of John and Susan (Sanborn) White, the former parent from Lebanon and the latter a native of Haverhill; four children were the result of this union. Nellie W. married Augustine Reed, and is the mother of six chil- dren, three of whom are living: Millie, Ruth, and Thomas. Our subject's second child, Willie C., died in infancy. John G. is living at home on the farm. Clara M. is attending the high school at Woodsville, N. H. Our subject's political views place him in the Democratic party. He is a liberal in his religious sentiments.

ENOCH C. DEARTH, a conductor on the B. & M. R. R., and making his home in Bath, N. H., was born in that town Nov. 30, 1864, and is the son of Samuel E. and Jane (Willey) Dearth, and the grandson of Asa and Elizabeth (Carr) Dearth. Asa Dearth, our subject's grand- father, was a native of New Hampshire; he set- tled in Bath, where he owned and cultivated a farm. He removed to Stoneham, Mass., about 1876, and died there in 1878. His wife, Eliza- beth Carr, also a native of the Granite State, bore him five children whose names are: Ann, Persis, Samuel E., Albert, and Enoch. Our sub- ject's grandparents were Methodists in their religious beliefs.

Samuel E. Dearth, after the years of his minor- ity, spent in aiding his father and acquiring an education, purchased a farm, which he cultivated until 1867, when he sold his farm; after that he rented a farm and raised the usual staple crops the rest of his active life. He married in 1855

DR. CHARLES H. BOYNTON.

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

Jane Willey. daughter of John and Jane (Stro- bridge) Willey, and to them were born the fol- lowing children: Willie, Albert, Mina, Carrie, Enoch, Jennie, Mary, and Cora.

Enoch C. Dearth at the age of eight years hired out to Harvey Ross for twenty-five cents a day; he followed the occupation of farming until twenty-two years of age, when he obtained a situation on the B. & M. R. R. as brakeman on the run between Concord and Woodsville, N. H. Later he was assigned to the position of baggageman in the summer months; in the win- ters he took his place as a brakeman. This con- tinued for four years, and then he was appointed conductor on one of the freight trains, a position he still retains.

On Dec. 13, 1893, he led to the altar and made his wife Flora Weeks, daughter of Charles A. Weeks of Bath. One child was born to them, Nov. 12, 1894, which they named Mary Isabel. In politics Mr. Dearth is a Republican and rarely misses a chance to support the candidates of his party with his ballot. Both he and his estimable wife are attendants of the Congrega- tional Church.

DR. CHAS. H. BOYNTON, a physician of Lisbon, N. H., with a large and well-established practice, is a descendant of a family of very great antiquity, whose origin, as far as we may defi- nitely know, was in Boynton, of Barmston, York- shire, England. It was a family of note before the Norman Conquest, as Bartholomew de Boynton was lord of that manor in 1067. The family had made Boynton their home many years before William the Conqueror overthrew the line of Anglo-Saxon kings, and set up his own line; the Boyntons received, submitted to, and welcomed the resistless duke, and being themselves Normans, their estates were not con- fiscated, but have remained in their possession until the present time. Just before the English Revolution, and during the time when Bishop Laud led the persecution against the dissenters to the established religion, a number of pious Puritans, among whom were Oliver Cromwell, Sir Matthew Boynton, and others of note, who afterward figured in the bloody history of that time, were on the point of embarking in a ship

for America, but were persuaded to return by the influence of the persecuting high church bishop.

In 1680, John Boynton was admitted as a freeman of the town of Rowley, Mass., with the honorable title of Mr. In the same year it is recorded that William Boynton had a law case with Richard Dummer, both of Rowley. In 1685 Joseph Boynton was chosen constable of Rowley, and held the office for a number of years.

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Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire, Part 11

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Buffalo, Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 612

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Buffalo, Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 612