USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire > Part 20
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Abiel Chamberlain, Jr., after the completion of his common school education, under the school system of Bath, took up work in earnest on the home farm, and is still living on the paternal es- tate. One year previous to his father's death, he took full management, and has proved himself of a sound judgment, and more than ordinary executive ability. TIe held steadfastly to the principles advocated by the Republican party and is quite actively engaged in the local political life. He has been town school district treasurer and a member of the school committee. Our subject and Ailene M. Jackson were joined in the bonds of marriage in 1887. Mrs. Chamber-
lain's father was John Jackson, and was a resi- dent of Rumford; her mother was Florentine Griffith of Dixfield, Me. Five children have be- come members of the Chamberlain household. The record reads as follows: Walter E., Ruby F., Abiel H., and Bernice M., and Max H., who are no longer living. They have allied them- selves with the Universalist Society of Woods- ville, N. H.
DR. GEO. W. SHATTUCK, the subject of this personal history, whose name heads this notice, is engaged at present in the town of Lis- bon, Grafton Co., in the practice of the medical profession and possesses a large and growing patronage. He is well-read, a deep and pro- found thinker, with good judgment and keen logical common-sense. These qualities, united to fine social address, tend to make him popular and command for him the confidence and esteem of the entire community. Possessing a strong ambition, and a high standard of professional excellence, with the aid and sympathy of a noble and womanly life-companion, he is well fitted to attain a front rank in his chosen profession and to secure in good time the permanent re- wards of a successful and honorable career. He was born in Bethlehem, N. H., Feb. 24, 1861, and is a son of Chas. C. and Ursula (Wesley) Shattuck, and grandson of Stephen and Rachel (Nurse) Shattuck. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native town in Tilton Semi- nary at Tilton, N. H., and was a student in the Montpelier M. E. Seminary of Montpelier, Vt., for two years. He graduated from the latter institution in the Class of 1885, and then entered the medical department of the University of Ver- mont, located at Burlington, from which he graduated in 1888. In 1889 he located in Lis- bon, N. H., where he has built up a large prac- tice by his own efforts.
Stephen Shattuck, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born Aug. 27, 1788, and departed this life Oct. 9. 1859. He reared the following chil- dren: Abigail, born Sept. 8, 1816: Persis, Sept. 3. 1818: Peter R., June 8, 1820; Amanda M., Aug. 20, 1822: John N .. (deceased). born July 2. 1824: Frances (deceased), born March 14, 1827: Charles C., Feb. 6. 1829: Susannah HI., Sept. I,
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1831; Milo F., Sept. 11, 1834; Sabrina H., April 14, 1837: and William S., Feb. 15, 1840. The mother passed away Sept. 9, 1869. They were Methodists in their religious views.
Charles C. Shattuck completed his education in the common schools of Bethlehem and then turned his attention to the pursuits of agricul- ture. He owns and operates a large farm, and is accounted one of the prosperous and leading agriculturists of the town of Bethlehem, N. H., where he has lived and labored thus far in life. Politically, he acts with the Democratic party. He has served as selectman several times and. has also done much work of a responsible nature, such as acting as administrator of estates. His wife. Ursula Wesley, was a daughter of John Wesley, a native of England and a de- scendant of the great Wesleys of Evangelistic fame. There were born to our subject's parents the following children: Charles H., who married Lillian Remmick, a native of New Hampshire; and George H., the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck are members of the M. E. Church of Bethlehem, N. H.
In politics, Dr. Shattuck is a Democrat, and is a member of the school board. In 1885 he joined his fortunes with those of Nell O. Ban- croft of Plainfield, Vt., the daughter of Moses Bancroft of the same place. To Dr. and Mrs. Shattuck have been born two children, of whom only the younger, Gladys M., born in 1890, sur- vives. Milo M. was the name of the elder. The Doctor and his wife are prominent members of the Congregational Church of Lisbon, N. H.
HENRY C. DEARBORN is the superintend- ent of the G. Z. Collins's Leather Board, Veneer- ing, and Heeling Factory, and also the general manager of the H. C. Dearborn & Co. Leather Board Mills; all of Ashland. N. H. He was born in Woodstock, N. H., June 12, 1837, and is the son of Washington and Abigail (Cook) Dear- born.
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Washington Dearborn was born in Lincoln, N. H .: early in life he mastered the blacksmith's trade, and worked at that as an occupation. He passed most of his days in Campton, where he purchased a farm in advanced life, and made it his home till death called him at the age of
eighty-three. His wife was the daughter of Samuel Cook of Campton, N. H. She was torn from her loved ones at the age of sixty-nine, the victim of consumption, after giving birth to the following children: Henry C., Amanda, Emily, and Rufus. Mr. Dearborn was a Whig adherent, becoming a Republican upon the organization of that party. Religiously, he was a member of the M. E. Church. His wife was a Free Will Baptist.
Henry C. Dearborn was educated in the dis- trict schools and in Newbury Academy. He came to Ashland at the age of twenty-four to work in the manufacture of leather board. For a time he was engineer in the paper mill of J. F. Keyes. Later he was employed in E. F. Bailey's Straw and Leather Board Factory, hav- ing entire charge of the mills most of the time. He then became superintendent of G. Z. Collins's mills, which are now under his personal super- vision, and give employment to several hands. They are doing a large and profitable business.
In 1893, he rented the Bailey Mills, and in partnership with G. Z. Collins and M. N. Good- rich of Lynn, Mass., under the firm name of H. C. Dearborn & Co., put in new and improved machinery, and has succeeded in building up a very successful trade. Mr. Dearborn has dis- tinguished himself by his push and perseverance in business; his concentration on one line of in- dustry has made him very proficient and has enabled him to make a comfortable competence out of his business. He has been very much in- terested in the growth of Ashland, and there is no more loyal citizen within her borders than our subject.
Mr. Dearborn owns a fine home in Ashland, and twenty acres adjoining, which he takes pride in referring to as his little farm. It was formerly known as the Reuben Whitten place. He has made many improvements in and around his home that add much to its beauty and attractive- ness.
He married Frances Marv, daughter of Dar- win Shepard of Ashland. They have three chil- dren. Adelle married C. R. Pease of Laconia, N. H., and has borne him two children: Arthur D. and Alice M. George H. is a carpenter, and resides in Ashland. Alice M. married F. P. Campbell of Alcott, Vt. Their union has re- sulted in one child, Mariam.
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HON. JOSEPH W. CAMPBELL.
MRS. HANNAH D. CAMPBELL.
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Our subject is identified with the Republican party, and represented the town in the Legisla- ture in 1883. He has also served as selectman, and has held the office of moderator for several years.
Mr. and Mrs. Dearborn are members of the Episcopal Church of Ashland. They also belong to the Mt. Hope Eastern Star: he has served as its first Worthy Patron. He is a member of the Mt. Prospect Lodge, No. 68, F. & A. M., and served as Master of it for ten years; he belongs to Pemigewasset Chapter and Omega Council, in which he has served as High Priest. He is also a member of Grafton Lodge, I. O. O. F., and has been Past Master of the same; and is a mem- ber of Rebekah Lodge.
HON. JOSEPH W. CAMPBELL, a retired · tanner of Woodstock, N. H., is the son of Calvin Campbell, and grandson of David Campbell.
David Campbell lived the most of his short life in Henniker, N. H., where he was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. His son, Calvin Campbell, was born in Henniker. Calvin's father died when he was a lad of four years, and conse- quently he was placed in a family at Hopkinton, N. H., where he was reared and educated. In his younger years and for a short time after his marriage he supported himself by teaching school. He then learned the tanner's trade and followed it in Hopkinton. At about the age of forty he removed to Salisbury, where he made his honte for four years. He then went to An- dover, N. H., and remained there four years. From Andover he moved to Hill, N. H., spend- ing the remainder of his life in that town. He married Abigail, daughter of Isaac Blaisdell of Salisbury. Calvin Campbell died at the age of fifty-six; his wife survived him many years, finally departing this life at the age of eighty- three. The ten children, resulting from this union were: the first-born, Abbic, died aged about two years; Joseph W., Maria C. (Hersey). Isaac B., Abbie P. (Greeley), Horace J., George M., Calvin, Trueworthy B., and Martha L. (Hunt).
Hon. Joseph W. Campbell, the subject of this sketch, was born May 11, 1825, in Hopkinton,
N. H. He received his primary education in the common schools, and showed himself to be an apt student and most eager in his search for knowledge. He took an advanced course at Boscawen Academy. After he attained his ma- jority he learned the trade of a tanner at Dan- bury, and worked at it a few years in that town. Leaving Danbury, he went to Hebron, where he had charge of Gov. Berry's tannery for five years.
In 1855 he moved to Woodstock, where he now resides, and became engaged in the tanning business on a large scale, continuing in that line until 1888, when his plant was destroyed by fire. In this business venture he succeeded from the start and possessed a very profitable and grow- ing trade, when he was forced to retire by the all-devouring element. The buildings were large and roomy to accommodate the requirements of so prosperous a business. The main building was 120 feet long and forty feet wide, and to it were joined two wings, one 40x20 and the other 33x20. The receipts from the sale of product varied from $60,000.00 to $100,000.00 per year. Mr. Campbell's push and enterprise makes such a magnificent showing possible. He started in life with hardly a cent he could call his own, and by economy and by taking advantage of oppor- tunities that offered themselves, has risen to his present place of independence and confortable circumstances.
In 1850 he was married to Hannah D., daugh- ter of Benjamin Emmons, Esq., of Hill, N. H. They have reared two children: Laura E. and George A. Laura E. married George R. Pattec of Barton, Vt. They have one child, Edith L. George A. married Mary Baird, and they live now in Laramie City, Wyoming. One child, a little son, died at four weeks of age.
Mr. Campbell has been an able and energetic man in all his social, political, and business rela- tions. His general popularity is shown by his re-election time after time to important offices in town and State. It also speaks volumes for his ability to perform successfully the duties of those offices. He has served on the board of selectmen for about seventeen years, and as town treasurer about fourteen years. He has been a member of the State Legislature in seven sessions, having been elected three times without the slightest opposition. His political principles are Democratic. IFe was appointed in 1871 as
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one of three commissioners to reimburse the towns of this State for municipal war expenses.
Socially, he is a member of the Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M .; and Pemigewasset Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M.
Mr. Campbell was one of the organizers of the P. V. R. R. He was one of a committee of three on the Construction Company; he has been a director in the company ever since the road was built.
The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell appear on preceding pages of this book. Their value to the biographical records of Grafton Co. is manifest without any elaboration of statement.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN JEWELL is the proprietor of the Mt. Livermore House, Hall and Club, which are first-class pleasure resorts, beautifully located on the shore of Squam Lake. He was born in the town of Holderness, Grafton Co., N. H., Oct. 21, 1849, and is the son of John and Lydia (Currier) Jewell, and grandson of John Jewell, Sr., who came from England and settled in the town of Sandwich, Carrol Co., N. H. There he lived the calm and peaceful life of a farmer. Fortune dealt kindly with him, for both he and his excellent wife lived to a good old age, and were very successful in their efforts to wrest a livelihood from the soil.
The father of the subject of this sketch was born Feb. 8, 1812, and learned the carpenter's trade, working both as a journeyman and as a contractor. He built many of the most promi- nent buildings now standing in Grafton Co. The Ashland Town Hall, the Episcopal Church of the same town, and many other large buildings in the neighboring towns of Plymouth and Lovell, Maine, where he lived for a time, were erected under his supervision. After leaving Lovell he came to Holderness and lived where Mr. Whitten now resides; later he purchased the Boynton farm, where he carried on his business. He is still enjoying good health. Mr. Jewell was a Democrat, and liberal in his religious views. His wife was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church; she died at the age of eighty-one. She was the daughter of Capt. John Currier, and was born in Chester, N. H.
Capt. Currier served in the Revolutionary War as a captain. He was a cooper by trade, and made bushel and half-bushel measures. After a number of years spent at that work he bought a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. While working at this occupation he became acquainted with an Englishman, who informed him of the trained elephant, "Betty," owned in England, that was being exhibited about that country. Being of a venturesome turn of mind, Capt. Currier went to England, purchased "Betty," and brought her to America, where she attracted much attention, for she was the first one ever seen on this continent. He journeyed overland on foot, with his walking show, making tours through the States; he followed this occu- pation till "Betty" died, when he returned to farming, and departed this life while engaged in that pursuit, aged seventy-six. Without doubt he was the pioneer showman of the United States.
Mr. Jewell's children were: John C .; Huldah H .; Henry B .; Daniel H .; Mark F .; Benjamin F .; George E .; and Zella, who died in youth.
Benjamin Franklin Jewell was educated in the district schools; his start in life was made by peddling yankee notions afoot from house to house, carrying his own pack of goods. This he kept up for a year, when he was able from his savings to buy a horse and wagon, still carrying on the same retail business with these aids. Later on he became a wholesale dealer in confec- tionery and cigars, making his headquarters at . Manchester, N. H. At length he deserted the wholesale business and settled in Lakeport, N. H., where he engaged in a dry goods and gro- cery trade, until he took up the profession of auctioneer. This profession he has followed more or less since, and to show that he has been one of the best in the State, it needs only to be said that he has acted as the master of cere- monies in 1,087 acution sales, either on his own account or for others.
In 1882 Mr. Jewell bought his father's farm, early known as the William Merrill place, of 125 acres. It has a beautiful location on the west side of Squam Lake, with a broad, open view. The house, that stood on the property, he re- modeled into a pretty cottage, and as the loca- tion was very desirable, he began to take a few boarders. He soon found that he was forced to
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turn many away, because of lack of room; so he determined to enlarge his facilities and erect a larger building. Accordingly he purchased 175 more acres of land.
In 1887-SS he built the Mt. Livermore House, adjoining his cottage, to accommodate forty more. This soon proved to be inadequate to the demand, and he was forced to build an addition to the house of twelve more rooms. He also erected a fine office. Then finding stables were needed, he built two, one 68x40, and the other 40×45; carriage houses were also put up; 300,000 feet of shingles were used to cover barns and carriage houses and other buildings. In this gradual fashion did a small undertaking develop into a successful and prosperous business.
As Mr. Jewell owned about one mile and a half of water front on the lake and also Potato Island, he began to improve it in 1888. He built a cottage on the island and one on a point of the land called Lake View-both cottages were for rent. The lake beach is very suitable for bathing, for it is of a clear white sand. Feeling that he might fill a long-felt want, or at least create a new one, Mr. Jewell built on the shore twenty-one bath-houses; to further improve the grounds, he cleared and trimmed the grove that fronted on the lake and made the whole into a lovely park. There are boat-houses, docks, boats, etc., for the accommodation of those aquatically inclined. Tennis courts near the beach invite the devotees of that popular recrea- tion. West of the main building are golf grounds, croquet grounds, etc .; swings, ham- mocks, and inviting seats are scattered through- out the different groves. The most favorite local- ity is what is called "Lovers' Lane," which is lined on either side with white birch and oak; their branches, meeting in loving embrace over- head, afford a cool retreat on a hot day. This lane leads to Mt. Livermore, where one can see the whole lake spread out in all its beauty, and miles of the country-side; even the States of Maine and Massachusetts, with many villages and fine summer houses, make, themselves, a part of the pleasant landscape.
In 1895 Mr. Jewell, being encouraged by the liandsome patronage he was receiving, deter- mined to make certain improvements and alter- ations that would increase the pleasure and the comfort of his guests, and make his summer
hotel a still more popular resort. Accordingly, he built, adjoining the Mt. Livermore House, a large and spacious hall with a richly-designed brick and tile fire-place, polished hard-wood floors, and finely furnished throughout for the pleasure of his boarders. There is also a large and modern laundry connected with it.
In 1896 the enterprising proprietor of Holder- ness's popular summer resort built a handsome house, two stories high, 126x36; the rooms are all large and all face the front, each having a door opening on a broad veranda, from which one may obtain a broad, open view of the lake with its islands, with all kinds of water-craft, steamers, sail-boats, and row-boats dotting its glassy surface here and there. The house is fur- nished in a most tasteful fashion; it is finished in natural hard wood with fine polished floors, spacious halls, closets, etc. This notable addi- tion to the accommodations of the place is con- nected with the other house by protected walks, and is furnished, as are all the rest, with abund- ance of sparkling, mountain water. Two acres of lawn in front serve to enhance its appearance.
All these improvements have been made by Mr. Jewell, and have been elaborated from ideas originating with him. When he first entered upon his possessions, what are now among the loveliest spots in the park then wore an unin- viting aspect with tumbled masses of rocks and boulders. It would have taken a man with a rare gift of prophecy to have predicted the present appearance. The growth has been slow and gradual, like the blowing of a rosebud, unfolding its loveliness from day to day and giving increas- ing promise with every passing hour. We would not say that the improvements on the estate have already advanced to comple- tion; we would say, rather, that we have only seen the beginning, and that greater results are to follow in due time. We have no doubt that the success of the past will be far eclipsed by those of the seasons to come. Mr. Jewell is to be congratulated for evolving so pleasant and grateful a resort for the pleasure of lovers of the natural beauties of New Hamp- shire.
Our subject also owns a large maple grove, from which he obtains his own syrup and maple sugar. His herd of choice Jerseys and Devon- shires supply his table with rich, pure milk and
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.
cream. His garden and orchard of grafted fruit furnish many good things for the refreshment of his guests.
Mr. Jewell was married on Feb. 5, 1873, to Annie, daughter of Capt. Alonzo Lane of Frank- fort, Me .; Capt. Lane lost his life at sea. Mr. Jewell and wife have two children: Abbie F., born Sept. 4, 1875; and Georgie E., born Aug. 5, 1879. Our subject is a Democrat, and has served as selectman as well as in other town offices of trust and responsibility.
ORA A. BROWN, of the firm of Hughes & Brown, largest general store in Ashland, and also town clerk and town treasurer, was born in Bridgewater, N. H., March 4, 1864. He is the son of Horace and Mary A. (Fletcher) Brown, grandson of Samuel and Susanna (Dolloff) Brown, and great-grandson of Stephen and Anna (Davis) Brown.
Stephen Brown was born in Plymouth, N. H., and was the second male child born in the town of Plymouth. He was a progressive farmer, and aided much in the development of this section of New Hampshire. He settled in Bristol, which was then a wilderness and uninhabited; he en- dured all the privation of a pioneer life. He died at the age of seventy-two; his wife survived him a few years, departing this life aged eighty-five. They had a family of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity.
Samuel was the second son, and was born in 1793. He settled in Bridgewater, and took up the occupation of farming and became very suc- cessful. He was one of the original members of the M. E. Church of Bristol, where to-day a memorial window keeps his memory alive. He passed away in 1868. He was a firm Republi- can. His wife was born in 1800, and died in 1879. Four children were born to them: Solo- mon, Horace, Levi D., and Warren S.
Horace Brown was born Aug. 15, 1825. He finished his education at Hebron Academy. At the age of twenty-one he left the parental roof and went to Collinsville, Conn., where he worked at the manufacture of axes, and became a skilled workman in all the branches. The dust from the steel, however, seriously affected his throat, so
after working there several years he was forced to give up, and accordingly returned to the old homestead, where he died at the age of forty- nine years and eleven months, of bronchial trouble. .
He married Mary A., daughter of Jesse and Patience (Hobart) Fletcher of Westford, Mass. Jesse was a son of Amos Fletcher, a minuteman of the Revolution. His occupation was farming. Jesse Fletcher was a cooper by trade, but after laboring at his trade for several years, he pur- chased a farm in Groton, N. H., in 1826, and made it his home for thirty-five years, when he disposed of his property, and moved to Rumney ; there he carried on his old trade as a cooper, until he died at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. He was an active member of the M. E. Church for sixty-five years, and took much pleasure dur- ing his last hours in singing his favorite hymns. His wife died in 1878, aged ninety-two years. They were both held in the highest esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. Their children were: Thomas J., Sarah, Daniel, Eliza, Re- becca, Clifton, Alden, and Mary A.
Horace Brown and wife, Mary A. Fletcher, became the parents of four children. Burdette H., a carpenter by trade, married Anna R. Cass, who has borne him two children: Lil- lian J. and Grace B. Wilfred F., a drug clerk, married Minnie E. Reed. They have two chil- dren: Ethel M. and Mary L. Ora A. is the sub- ject of this sketch. Sarah A. died, aged one year and five months. Our subject's father was a Re- publican, and served as selectman of the town. Ora A. Brown's mother was of old Puritan stock, she being a descendant of Robert Fletcher, who came from England and settled in Concord, Mass., in 1630.
Ora A. Brown received a good common school education in his youth in the town of Bridgewater. At the age of eighteen he left home to clerk for Hughes & Huckins, general merchants of Ashland, N. H., with whom he re- mained seven years, during which time he took a business course at Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College at Boston.
Jan. 1, 1889, he bought a half interest in the store, and it has been conducted since under the firm name of Hughes & Brown. They carry a very large line of dry goods, boots and shoes, " groceries, hardware, building materials, etc .- in
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