USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire > Part 21
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.
short they have the largest and best equipped store in the county. Mr. Brown is one of the solid young business men of the town, and owes his present position to his own efforts. He is a thorough business man, honorable and upright in his transactions, wide-awake and energetic, and as a neighbor and as a citizen he is held in high esteem by his townsmen.
Mr. Brown bought the J. Baker home on Highland Street, and has remodeled and en- larged it, fitting it with all the modern conven- iences. On June 1, 1893, he joined his fortunes with those of Addie S. Cheney, daughter of Col. T. P. Cheney, whose sketch appears elsewhere. They have one child, Ruth C., born April 26, 1894.
Mr. Brown is a Republican, and has served as town clerk since 1888, and as town treasurer since 1890. He is a liberal supporter of the M. E. Church. Socially, he is a member of the Mt. Prospect Lodge, No. 69, F. & A. M .; Pemige- wasset Chapter. He served two years as Master in the Lodge.
JONATHAN F. KEYES, one of Ashland's highly honored and esteemed citizens and re- tired business men, was born in the town of Han- cock, Hillsboro Co., N. H., Aug. 23, 1811. He is a son of Abner and Susan (Barton) Keyes, and is descended from Solomon Keyes, who emi- grated from England, in 1650, and settled in Massachusetts.
Abner Keyes came from Brumly, Mass., with two brothers, and made a settlement in the town of Hollis, Hillsboro Co., N. H. Later on he removed to the adjoining county, selected a place of residence, and made it his home for the rest of his life. He married Susan Barton. This worthy couple lived to a good old age, and raised a fine family of ten children: Abner, Jr., Ruth, Jonathan F., Veranes, Horace, Ephraim, Cory- don, Hazen R., Alfred, and Albert B.
Jonathan F. Keyes passed the years of his boyhood much the same as boys of to-day who live on the farm. His serious life-work began when he was apprenticed to the art of paper- making; he served until his time expired at the age of twenty years, when he bought a mill at Bennington, N. H., where he carried on a flour-
ishing business until 1848, when he removed his plant to the site of the present Knitting Mills of Ashland, and operated his mill in that place for a number of years.
In 1861 he failed in business, and his assets were only sufficient to pay the creditors fifty cents on the dollar; but he had many friends who wished him well and assisted him in opening and carrying on a general store in Ashland. By this means he succeeded in paying his creditors their claims in full, and presented his financial backer with a check for $1,000. Mr. Keyes's conduct in this affair discloses the reason for his great popularity. Through his whole long business career he has maintained a reputation for strict integrity, enterprise, and fair dealing, that have won him the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. It may be justly said that there can scarcely be found a finer example of honorable, noble manhood than what is pos- sessed by our subject.
After the settlement of his business affairs he bought twenty acres, situated on the edge of the village, and built himself a home there. He has since sold off many lots from the original plat, and they are now covered by a number of fine dwelling-houses. He still owns four acres of the property; he has also some tenement houses, and an elegant block on Main Street, containing stores and offices.
His fellow-citizens, recognizing his many ex- cellent qualities, have elevated him a number of times to stations of trust and honor. He has served as selectman, town treasurer, county com- missioner, and president of the Agricultural Association. He was instrumental in getting Ashland set off from the town of Holderness. His name is familiar in all parts of the State as a zealous worker in the cause of temperance. He has not spared himself in the least in the ad- vancing of this noble cause.
In 1872 he retired from active business, but has been able to attend to all his property and other necessary business, even at his advanced age. He is now enjoying life after its many years of toil. He is a finely proportioned and well-built man, with clear-cut, noble features, which go well with the high esteem in which he is held.
In his later years he has been connected with a venture that has had extraordinary success.
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In 1880 he agitated the question of a savings bank, and was one of its most enthusiastic pro- jectors at the time of its organization. For a time the bank's home was in one of Mr. Keyes's buildings. He held the office of treasurer for a number of years, and when he left the bank had deposits amounting to $100,000.00
His first wife was Mary Woods, and they were blessed with ten children: Orlando, Mary, Lucy, Susanna E., Henry F., Alice J., Fanny M., Josephine W., Joseph, and Mary. Having lost his wife he married again, the lady of his choice being Susan Kelly Roberson. He also lamented her loss, and accordingly married his third wife, Mrs. Abbie R. Kimball, widow of Harrison G. Kimball, and daughter of Huse and Sarah (Rines) Richards.
CORYDON WALLIS COOK, a retired merchant of Campton, N. H., was born in Camp- ton, N. H., Aug. 6, 1820, and is a son of Coffin and Rebecca (Baker) Cook, grandson of Eph- raim and Sally (Merrill) Cook, and great-grand- son of Samuel Cook, who came from Newbury- port, Mass. He settled in the town of Plymouth, Grafton Co., and was one of the first settlers of that town, where his descendant, Alfred Cook, now lives. He cleared a good farm, and de- parted this life there at a good old age.
Ephraim Cook settled at first in the northeast part of the town of Campton, and did some work in clearing his farm, but later moved back to Plymouth and finished his life there at the age of sixty. His wife passed away at about fifty years of age. Their children were: Edmund, Moses, Daniel, Ephraim, Sally, Jacob, Coffin, Lois, Gill- man, Charles, and George. His second wife was Mrs. Russell, and by her he had two children: Walter and Almira.
Coffin Cook, son of the foregoing, was born in Plymouth, and at an early age entered the mill- ing business. He built the first permanent mills that were ever built in the town of Campton. They have been since destroyed by fire. In this business he was very successful, and acquired a comfortable competence. He built a house, but sold it later, and built the house now occupied by our subject. He also owned some land,
which he took much pride in working. He was a Whig, and was one of the first fifteen in Camp- ton that voted against slavery. From the organ- ization of the Republican party till his death he was a Republican. His death occurred May 4, 1865, in Tamworth, N. H., at the age of sixty- six; it was caused by accident in Meredith, by the falling in of the town hall floor some ten years previous. His wife died at the age of thirty-four; she was the daughter of Col. Moses Baker, who was one of the prominent, leading men of Campton. He was elected to many offices of trust and responsibility, among which are the following: town representative, sena- tor, justice of the peace, and as a surveyor. The family of Coffin Cook was composed of three children: Corydon W., Louisa, and Han- nah B.
Corydon Wallis Cook passed his happy boy- hood days in much the same way as the boy of to-day; he received his education in the public school, and also private lessons from the Rev. Benjamin P. Stone, who was a very well-edu- cated man, and gave Corydon the best of in- struction. At the age of nineteen he went into a store as a clerk. Desiring to set up in an in- dependent business, our subject was helped by a friend to purchase a horse and cart, and peddled yankee notions and tin for a number of years. At length he entered the store of Albert G. Folsom at Meredith Bridge, as clerk, and remained with him in that capacity for sixteen years, giving the best of satisfaction by his hon- est efforts to please. He became head clerk and had full charge of the establishment. In 1859 he came to Campton and bought the Blaisdell store and carried on a general business for thirty years and seven months, being connected with one store longer than any other man in this part of the county. Our subject then sold to E. H. Ken- iston and retired from the trouble and care of active business life. His retirement has been well earned, and he bears the greatest respect of his townsmen, who appreciate sterling worth. He has always been a firm, uncompromising Re- publican, and has served as town clerk, but has refused all other offices which have been urged upon him many times.
On Nov. 30, 1844, he was joined in marriage to Miss Sarah J., daughter of James Garman of Gilmanton; she has been his close companion
HON. JOHN L. SPRING.
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through life till separated from him by death. She proved herself a most devoted wife and a tender, loving mother. She died Aug. 11, 1889, at the age of sixty-six, of consumption. One child was born to them, Charlie B., who departed this life, in 1882, aged twenty-nine years. He was a clerk in his father's store, and was a bright young man of many excellent qualities, with a splendid future before him. His death has proved a severe blow to his devoted parents and to his host of friends. Our subject is a mem- ber of the Congregational Society, and could always be counted upon when assistance was needed in any worthy cause. Mr. Cook is a member and Past Grand of the Winnipiseogee Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 7, of Laconia, N. H. He has been a member in good standing since 1848.
HON. JOHN L. SPRING, a prominent member of the legal profession, practicing in Lebanon, and one of the most popular attorneys of Grafton Co., was born in Newport, N. H., Jan. 14, 1830. He is a son of John C. and Lorena A. (Jaquith) Spring, grandson of Josiah C. and Betsey (Clark) Spring, and a great-grandson of Converse and Mary Spring.
Converse Spring was a native of Watertown, Mass .; in 1780 he moved to Peterboro, N. H., where he bought a farm and cultivated it till his death, April 13, 1812, at the age of seventy- seven. Two children survived him and perpetu- ated his virtues and excellencies of body and mind. They were: Josiah C., born in Peter- boro, N. H., June 29, 1764; and Silas, born Aug. 30, 1766, who married Mary C. Stuart.
Josiah C. Spring succeeded his father on the homestead, working it for a time and then going to Newport, N. H., where he bought a farm and rounded out his years. He married, in 1784, Betsey Clark, who was born Aug. 10, 1764; both were of very strong and hearty constitutions, and lived to a good old age. They reared a large family of children, most of whom lived to ex- ceptional ages, and were noted for their fine bearing and physique. This is the record: Lib- bie G., born April 17, 1785, died in 1870; Betsey, born June 8, 1787, died at the age of ninety-five; Alpheus, born Sept. 12, 1789, lived
to an old age; Converse, born Sept. 1I, 1791 ; Sarah G., born July 6, 1796, lived to be over ninety years of age at her decease; Mary Ann, born June 9, 1799, died at the age of seventy; Horace B., born Sept. 14, 1802, died at the age of eighty-four; John C., born July 16, 1804, died Feb. 6, 1854; and Amelia M., born in 1809. The grandfather of our subject was very success- ful in life, and at the time of his decease owned a large farm.
The father of our subject adopted farming as his chosen calling, and prosecuted it with a fair degree of success in various localities of New Hampshire. He was located first in Peterboro, then in Washington, and next in Newport; from the last named place, after selling his property, he went to Utica, N. Y., and ran the Mansion House of that place for a number of years. His health at last failing him, he disposed of his property and came to Wilton, N. H., where he retired from active labor and spent his last days in seclusion and quiet. He was a large man of powerful build and was noted for the many feats of strength he indulged in, for he was always sure to be the strongest man in whatever locality he made his home. His health was broken by such trials of strength, and by over-work. He has transmitted his fine presence and bearing to our subject, who if not given to performing feats of strength, has certainly the constitution and build requisite. His wife, who was a daughter of Ebenezer Jaquith, was born Jan. 24, 1810, and was called away to the blessed abodes to re- join her husband Jan. 25, 1891. Three children inade up their family: John L., Charles H., and Emma J.
John L. Spring attended the district schools, and at an early age began the study of law under Hon. C. W. Woodman and Hon. Thomas J. Wentworth, both of Dover, N. H., and was ad- mitted to the bar at Manchester, N. H., in 1860. He opened an office for the practice of his pro- fession in Wilton, N. H., and spent about one year in that place, removing thence to Milford, N. H., where he had nine very successful years of practice to show for his residence. In
January, 1870, he came to Lebanon, where he was by no means a stranger, and where his repu- tation for legal ability was already firmly estab- lished. The care and sagacity which has marked the conduct of his private affairs and made them
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successful, has made his advice and counsel highly valued and has made them much sought after in connection with other business matters. His legal arguments are constructed very much after the manner an imposing building is erected : first and most essential is the solid foundation of facts, upon which rests an exquisitely wrought out and conceived logical superstructure, which impresses one with an idea of grace and solidity, without in the least appearing heavy or wrongly proportioned.
On March 5, 1856, he married Ellen M., daughter of William Fountain of Moriah, N. Y., and has had four children born to him. Arthur L., born Feb. 25, 1857, was educated at Lebanon High School, Kimball Union Academy, and Dartmouth College, graduating from the latter institution in 1880. He studied law in his father's office, and graduated from Boston University Law School in 1883, returning to his father's office as a partner, under the style of Spring & Spring. He was associated with his father for four years, cutting loose at the end of that time and practicing alone in Boston. He ably sus- tains a fine reputation as a versatile writer and fluent speaker. The second son, Clarence W., born April 15, 1859, is a graduate of Dartmouth College, and Harvard Medical School, and is now enjoying a successful practice as a physician and surgeon of Fitchburg, Mass. Carrie M., born Oct. 28, 1860, married Charles S. Clark, and lives at Lowell, Mass., although at present a resident of Washington, D. C. John R., born Dec. 16, 1875, is attending Dartmouth College.
The subject of this short biography was a Whig originally, but has been a Republican ever since the formation of that party. He has served the town as selectman, as moderator, supervisor, and as member of the school committee. He represented the town in the Legislature during the sessions of 1891-93-95. He is vice-president of the American Bar Association for New Hamp- shire. Mr. Spring is prominently connected in Masonic and Odd Fellow circles; he joined the I. O. O. F., Nov. 22, 1854, and is now a member of the Mascoma Lodge, and has been Grand Master, and Grand Patriarch of the State for four years. He has been a member of the Sov- ereign Grand Lodge for several years, and is also a member of the Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M., and also of the Blazing Star Chapter of Nashua.
Our subject owns a fine residence on Bank Street, Lebanon, which he built in 1871; a num- ber of tenements are also counted among his possessions in the way of real estate. He is a stockholder in the Riverside Mills and Everett Knitting Works, and is attorney for both the Savings and National Banks of Lebanon.
FREDERICK VON TOBEL, M. D., the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, is one of Lebanon's young but tried physicians and surgeons, of whom we are proud to say that he has gained a very lucrative and profitable prac- tice since his location in that beautiful New Hampshire village. His office is situated at the corner of School and Park Streets, and is one that has been used by men of the medical pro- fession for the past thirty-five years; Dr. Von Tobel's predecessor was Dr. Raynes, who in turn followed Dr. Davis; so even our subject's surroundings are of the best and may have some occult influence over his generally successful work.
Dr. Von Tobel was born in Torrington, Conn., Feb. 1, 1867, and is a son of John Henry and Appolonia (Hitz) Von Tobel, who were both born in Zurich, Switzerland, and of German ex- traction.
Our subject's father at the age of twenty-two came to America, landing at New York in 1847; shoemaking was his trade, and he worked at it until his health showed signs of giving away, and he was forced to take to open-air work as the only means of prolonging his life. With the earnings he had saved he bought a farm in War- ren, Conn., later going to Harwinton, but finally settling at Torrington, Conn., where he lived till he was called home in 1875 at the age of fifty. He was a splendid type of the self- made man, acquiring a home and a good com- petence, besides raising eight sons and furnish- ing them all with good educations. In politics he was a Republican. He worshipped at the Congregational Church. His wife still lives on the old homestead at Torrington. Their chil- dren, all of whom are living and enjoying good health, are as follows: Henry, Joseph, Charles, William, Edward, George, Frederick, Albert.
Dr. Von Tobel was educated at Torrington
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.
High School and in Wesleyan Academy of Wil- braham, Mass., and graduated in 1892, at Baltimore from the College of Physicians and Surgeons that is located there. He at once com- menced his practice at Meriden, N. H., where he succeeded Dr. F. W. Edwards; he continued there four years, gaining many warm friends and warm admirers by his skillful and zealous work. But desiring a larger field and being fully able to fill a more responsible position, he came to Leb- anon, in 1896, and succeeded Dr. Raynes, who in the days of his active practice was one of Lebanon's most famed physicians, but is since deceased. From the start our subject won the confidence of his predecessor's patrons and has been extraordinarily successful in building up a practice. His known ability and prompt atten- tion and unflagging zeal given to each call are no doubt the greatest factors in his success.
Our subject married Rose B., daughter of Ed- win R. Miller of Meriden, N. H., and has been made a happy parent of one child, which was born July 26, 1896, and named Julian M. Dr. Von Tobel is a stanch Republican and never willingly lets slip an opportunity to aid the party of his adoption. He was a member of the board of health while a resident of Meriden. He is a Congregationalist.
ALMOND H. COOK, one of the leading citi- zens and farmers of the town of Campton, was born in that town July 17, 1831, and is a son of Col. Moody and Lucy (Eaton) Cook, and grand- son of Lieut. Moody Cook.
Lieut. Moody Cook was born in Newburyport, Mass., and was among the first settlers of Camp- ton. He bought the farm, now owned by Stephen Avery, and was engaged in clearing it, preparatory to its cultivation, when the Battle of Bunker Hill took place. He at once sold his farm, enlisted in the Continental Army, and served meritoriously three years, when he came back and bought 1,000 acres in this town, known as the bog district. He erected a log-house, and set about clearing the land of the heavy growth of timber. He eventually cleared and put under cultivation 100 acres, and later built a small frame building. He held the office of lieutenant in the State militia. In his religious views he
favored the Congregational Church, and throughout life he remained a consistent and worthy member of that organization. In addi- tion to his work in farming, he also followed the trade of a cooper to some extent. To his three sons he left three farms, all of good fertile land, and susceptible of great cultivation. He died at the age of eighty-nine. His children were: Thomas, Edmund, Moody, Amanda (Mrs. Ells- worth), and Abigail (Mrs. Tolman), and seven others, names not given.
Col. Moody Cook, the second son of the fore- going, remained with his parents till their death, and inherited the homestead, consisting of 300 acres, and later owned about 200 acres in addi- tion, adjoining the homestead. The homestead is owned at present by Mr. Hill, and the house and barns, that are still standing, are the work of Moody Cook, Jr. He died there at the age of sixty-nine. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-seven; she was the daughter of Daniel Eaton. In politics he was a Whig, and later be- came a Republican. He was the colonel of the 14th Regiment of State militia. He served in the different town offices, and was selectman for a period. The Congregational Church was the church of his choice. His children were: Sarah Ann; Daniel, who did not reach maturity; Han- nah, who also died while in her youth; Joseph; Samantha; Lucy; Hannah P .; A. Hastings; Daniel E .; and Arthur B.
Almond H. Cook received his education in the district schools, and although he was not able to attend very regularly, yet because of his hard work while there, and his determination to make his little schooling of some practical benefit, he obtained a good business education. His early life was spent at home; he remained with his parents on the homestead until his parents died, when he was given the homestead. Soon after he sold the farm and purchased the Glines place, which is a river farm of 200 acres, where he has since resided. He has enlarged the house and made many other valuable improvements. He pays special attention to the breeding and raising of fine, blooded stock. He has a very choice dairy. Some of the best horses ever raised in Grafton Co. have been the products of his farm; one span sold for $1,000.00.
On Sept. 11, 1855, his fortunes were united in marriage with those of Sarah M. Merrill, who
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.
was born in the town of Campton, June 8, 1836. She was the daughter of Hardy and Myra (Noyes) Merrill, who pursued the trade of a car- penter, and late in life settled down to the calm life of a farmer. He became one of the leading and most influential farmers in the town of Campton; he lived to the age of eighty-six, as clic his wife also, there being a difference in their ages of seven days. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill's chil- dren were nine in number, and were as follows: llenry was born Dec. 12, 1830. Alfred was born june 5, 1833. When the war broke out he en- listed in Co. 1., 5th N. Y. Vol. Inf. He served fourteen months, and then was taken sick, and in consequence of his illness, discharged. Later in the war he enlisted in the United States Artil- lery, and served five years as a bugler. Sarah M. is our subject's wife. Mary E. was born April 16, 1838. Edward P. was born Dec. 16, 1839. Nathan L. was born Feb. 16, 1842. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. I., 12th Reg. N. H. Vol. Inf. He served four years; he was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Benjamin N. was born March 24, 1844. George F. was born May 18, 1846. Elmira J. was born Nov. 10, 1848.
Our subject's wife, Sarah M., was a grand- daughter of Enoch and Sally (Wells) Merrill, who was the son of Enoch Merrill, Sr., who came from Newburyport, Mass., and settled on Beech Hill; the old homestead is now owned by Miss Cathie Smith of Boston, and is used as a summer boarding establishment.
Our subject has been made the proud parent of eight children, all of whom are living with the exception of one. Herman B. was born Aug. 16, 1856, and married Luella Holmes. She has borne him one child, Myra C. He carries on a large business in the hack and boarding stable line at Roxbury, Mass. Alfred M., born May 1, 1858, married Isabelle J. Hill, and has two children : Hardy M. and Mildred. They lost one child, who was named Miriam. He has a large inarket and produce store in Roxbury, Mass. Nellie, born July 31, 1860, is at home with her parents. Jennie L., born Nov. 22, 1862, is a dressmaker in Boston. Edward H., born Sept. 13, 1865, is with his father in general farming and horse raising. He is a selectman of the town of Campton, and is very prominent in the town as an efficient business man. His integrity and
energetic qualities have given him a high place in the estimation of his fellow-townsmen. Clar- ence K., born Oct. 25, 1868, is a bookkeeper in Boston. Lucy E., born Sept. 25, 1871, is by occupation a teacher and stenographer. Myra N., born April 5, 1876, died at the age of seven. . Our subject has always supported the Republi- can ticket, and although capable to fill any office, he has repeatedly refused to have his name used in connection with any office. The family are warm supporters of the Congregational Church. He belongs to the Grange, and there are few members more active in Grange interests than he.
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