Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire, Part 58

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


USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire > Part 58


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1848; from that time until his death he was not engaged in any particular business of an estab- lished nature. His wife, Martha Newell, bore him five children: Martha N .; James R .; Will- iam W .; Jane; and Zebina N., the subject of this sketch. They were orthodox in their religious views. William V. Hutchins was an old line Whig, and served as town clerk for twenty-five years to the general satisfaction of everyone.


Zebina N. Hutchins was born Nov. 6, 1831, in the town of Bath, N. H. His education was con- fined to what the public schools of his native town could furnish him. When nineteen years of age he began life's struggles; the first three years, when he depended on his own labor for daily bread, were spent in Boston at work. Re- turning to Bath, he lived there until 1856, when he went west, remaining in the new countries un- til 1861, when he again returned to Bath, where he has made his residence ever since. The few years previous to 1892 he was engaged with the Easton Lumber Co .; since that time he has been asso- ciated with the Bath Lumber Co., in the capacity of bookkeeper. Our subject is very well liked; his genial, warm-hearted nature cannot help but win him friends.


He was married, in 1863, to Emily P. Hibbard of Bath, who has borne him six children, five of whom are living; the record is as follows: Helen (deceased), Emily R., Martha, Grace E., Lena, and Annabel H. Mr. Hutchins is proud of his family and has good reason to be so, for the equals of his daughters in intellectual abilities are not often found. He is a Republican, and has served the town as its treasurer.


HORACE F. DEMING, the leading general merchant of the village of Swiftwater, town of Bath, was born in Landaff, N. H., Jan. 8, 1857; his parents were Harvey Deming of Bath and Mary F. Elliott of Landaff, N. H. Baxter Dem- ing, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of the town of Bath, receiving his education in the schools of that locality. He was an agricul- turist, and followed his vocation all his life, util- izing the otherwise dull winter season in a profit- able manner by engaging in the lumbering busi- ness, whenever his farm duties would permit. He was a loyal supporter of the Whig party, and


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later on became a Republican; in his day there were few men in his vicinity who were considered as prominent and respected. He married Elenor Chamberlain, who was born in Bath, and to theni was born a large family of children, among whom, Harvey, the father of Horace F., was one of the oldest. In religious views, our subject's grandparents were Congregationalists.


Harvey Deming was born on the farm, located in the western part of the town of Bath, which is now owned by his son, Ira E., an older brother of our subject. Born June 13, 1829, his youthful years were spent in much the same way as those of any boy, in going to the district school, and in helping in the "chores." Upon arriving at manhood s estate he seriously turned his atten- tion to the pursuit of agriculture, which he as- siduously followed until 1870. He then went to Concord, N. H., and engaged in the meat busi- ness, remaining in the Granite State capital for ten years. He then sold out and returned to Bath, buying the farm, where he was born, and which still remains in the Deming family. In 1889 he went to Lisbon, where he purchased a house and lot, and resided until the day of his death, which occurred in the month of January, 1892. In early manhood he was joined in mat- rimony with Mary F. Elliott of Landaff, N. H., and to them were born the following children to cheer their declining years: Ira E .; Horace F .; Nellie J., deceased; William H .; and Nellie G. They were liberal in their religious views. He was a Republican, but was not an aspirant for popular favor and offices.


Horace F. Deming received his education in the schools of Landaff and of Concord, and drove the meat wagon for his father in his younger years, while his father kept a meat shop in Concord. In 1876 he returned to Bath, N. H., and engaged in the pursuit of agriculture for six years. He then went to Landaff, N. H., and in 1886 moved to Lisbon, N. H., where he worked for the Parker & Young Co., remaining in the employ of that firm until 1891. His next busi- ness venture was in the lumber business in part- nership with his brother; this continued only for a short time, our subject entering the employ of J. K. Atwood of Lisbon, working in a bobbin mill until 1895. Ile then moved to Swiftwater, N. H., purchased the store and stock of G. B. Noyes's estate, where he has since been success-


tully engaged in a general mercantile business. His strict integrity and courteous dealings with his patrons have built up for him more than any- thing else an enviable country trade. Although he is a stanch Republican, yet his marked busi- ness ability and prominence in the community caused his appointment by a Democratic admin- istration, July 20, 1895, to the Federal office of postmaster, a position he still retains.


March 15, 1882, he was joined in the bonds of matrimony to Ella Williams, daughter of Lo- renzo D. and Susan (Scales) Williams of Lan- daff, N. H., and their nuptials have been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Florence M., born Feb. 11, 1883; Mabel Marjorie, June 30, 1885; and Maud S., Sept. 19, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Deming are faithful attendants of the M. E. Church of Swiftwater, N. H.


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JOHN A. FAVOR, proprietor of a first-class livery of Bristol, N. H., was born in Weare, this State, March 15, 1862, and is a son of Almon M., and Mary (Beede) Favor, and grandson of Will- iam Favor.


William Favor was a native of Weare and a farmer by occupation. In his political belief he is a stanch Democrat. He married Betsey Worthley of the town of Weare, and to them were born the following children: Almon M .; Nathan; Orrin C .; Asa; John B .; and one who died in infancy.


Almon M. Favor secured his education in the schools of his native town of Weare, and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits all the active years of his life in that town. Like his father he was a Democrat. He married Mary R. Beede, daughter of Taylor Beede of Hebron, N. H., and became the parent of six children: Jolin A .; Oreste G .; Anson L .; Lucy M .; Sylvia A .; and Willie B., deceased. Our subject's parents were members of the M. E. Church.


John A. Favor, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the schools of Hebron, N. H., and at New Hampton Institute of New Hampton, and after completing his education worked as a įna- chine hand in a paper-mill for ten years; he then located in Bristol, N. H., buying out the livery business of La Forest Ballou, and has since con-


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tinued in that line of business, which he has found very profitable. He has a fine assortment of horses and carriages, and has both night and day employees for the accommodation of his numerous patrons. His business is conducted in a thoroughly systematic manner, and he is very popular with those who have occasion to deal with him.


In 1890 he married Nora V. Griffith of Bristol, N. H., and their union has been blessed with one child, Corinne, born Oct. 31, 1895. He is a Re- publican in polities, and he and his wife are at- tendants and loyal supporters of the Congrega- tional Church.


JOHN F. MORSE, a leading member of the agricultural calling of the town of Bath, N. H., is the son of Moses N. Morse, grandson of Stephen Morse, and great-grandson of James Morse.


Stephen Morse was born in Old Haverhill, Mass., in 1750, and came to Haverhill, N. H., in 1796. He was an expert earpenter and joiner by trade, recognizing few members of that trade as his superiors. He made earpentry work the main source of his income throughout his life, although owning and operating a farm, after his removal to Haverhill. His death occurred in 1836. He married Sarah Bayley, who was ushered into this world in 1750, departing it in 1825. They were both conscientious members of the Congregational Church, and were ever ready with the best of their means in aiding a worthy cause. . Mr. Morse was a deacon for a number of years. He served the town officially for many years as the town collector. Seven chil- dren owe their being to this union: Elizabeth N., Stephen B., Sally, Moses N., Joseph, Clar- issa, and Sophia.


The second son of Stephen Morse, Moses N., was born in 1784, in Newburyport, and came to Haverhill, N. H., with his parents. The first few years of his school life were spent in the schools of Newburyport; he finished his educa- tion in the educational institutions of Haver- hill. At an early age he adopted his father's trade, and followed it steadily during his younger days. He succeeded to the owner- ship of the homestead, and lived on it, engaged in pursuits of an agricultural nature for the most


part until his death, in 1859. In politics hie was an old line Whig, and supported its candidates and tenets with hearty enthusiasnı. He married Hannah G., daughter of John Sanborn of Haver- hill, N. H. She was born in 1786, and passed away to the blissful realms beyond the grave in 1861. They were Congregationalists in religious belief. Their children numbered ten, and were as follows: Alden E .; Mary; Hazen S .; Sophia (Barron); Mary A. (Smith); Moses B .; Susan K. (Carleton); Hannah S .; Stephen S .; and John F., the subject of this brief memoir.


John F. Morse was born June 8, 1828, on the old homestead in the town of Haverhill, N. H., and received his mental training in his native town. A short period after the completion of his education was spent in Hopkinton, Mass., where he received word of his parents' failing health, and with true filial piety returned to ease their last moments.


He was married, in 1850, to Ruby, daughter of Carleton Johnson of Bath, N. H. She was taken from him three years after, in 1853, at the age of twenty-two. In 1854 he was again joined in mar- riage, the bride being Susan W. Johnson, a sister of his former spouse. He was engaged wholly in agricultural pursuits until 1869, when he moved to Lisbon, N. H., and followed trading for fifteen years. In 1882 he changed his residence to a fine farm in Bath, which he has sinee cultivated with the greatest degree of success.


He is a Republican and takes a personal inter- est in local affairs; he has never chosen to run for any offiee in the gift of his towns-people.


Two children have been born to him, both of them boys. Harry M. was reared and educated in Lisbon, and studied law under Judge Rand; huis residence is in Littleton, N. H. He married Helen Oaks. Frank O. also passed his youthful days in Lisbon, and is now engaged as clerk in the Bay State National Bank of Lawrenee, Mass. He married Mary E. Stearns, and has two chil- dren by this marriage: Susan and Stearns.


Fortune has treated Mr. Morse very kindly ; he has a large farm of excellent quality, and well adapted for general farming. He is a good, up- right eitizen, and always has the welfare of the town at heart. He has won golden opinions of all men for his almost faultless bearing in all matters, whether private, social, religions, or political.


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JOHN A. FULLER, postmaster and a lead- ing general merchant of Lyman, N. H., was born in Wrentham, Mass., Jan. 25, 1865; he is a son of George and Angenette (Ruggles) Fuller, and a grandson of John Fuller.


Our subject's grandfather married Eleanor Hartshorn, and to them were born five children: John L., George, Henry A., Charles, and Albert. They were Congregationalists in religious be- lief.


George Fuller, after the completion of a com- mon school education in the schools of West Dedham, engaged in the manufacture of furni- ture, but later transferred his attention to under- taking, which he worked at the greater portion of his period of active work. Both Dedham and Franklin, Mass., were places of his residence at different portions of his career. He was a strong Republican politically. His wife was a daugh- ter of Oliver and Lucinda Jilson (Cobb) Rug- gles, both natives of Wrentham, Mass. In George Fuller's family there were the following children: George O .; Charles H .; Ida A .; Bertha M .; Nelson J .; Emma R .; Mary, deceased; Liz- zie; and two, who died in infancy. They were faithful attendants of the Congregational Church.


John A. Fuller completed his education in the High School of Wrentham, and then worked in the furniture and undertaking business in Frank- lin for two years, after which he was employed by the O. M. Bassett Co. of Franklin, Mass., in their straw hat factory for two years. Next, in company with his brother, Charles H. Fuller, he started an express business in Pawtucket, R. 1., and ran it for one year, selling out to Aldrich & Lathem, for whom he managed the business for three years. He was then employed by the H. G. Aldrich Express Co. for one year, and worked for the Pawtucket Street R. R. as one of its conductors for three years and a half. In 1892 lie moved to the town of Lyman, N. H., where he engaged in the mercantile business, which he has managed to make quite profitable. In 1893 he was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster of Lyman, a position he has held withi the greatest credit to himself and to the general public. He has ever made it a point to be ac- comodating in all his dealings with his patrons and the public, and in this way we may account for his great popularity and the esteem in which he is held. He is a Republican, but such is the


measure of respect in which he is held, that he was helped to the position by some of the lead- ing Democrats of the town. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias organization of Paw- tucket, R. I., and also belongs to Lyman Grange, No. 237.


On Oct. 5, 1886, his nuptials with Emilie R. Woolson of Lyman were consummated. She is a daughter of Charles and Alzina (Bishop) Wool- son, both of whom were born in the town of Lis- bon, N. H. Two children have blessed our sub- ject's marriage: John A., Jr., born Nov. 14, 1887; and Howard E., July 12, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller attend the Union Church of Lyman, N. H.


FRANK K. WOODMAN, now in the em- ploy of A. N. Blandin of Bath, N. H., was born in the above-mentioned town, Aug. 24, 1863, and is a son of Kimball F. and Susan H. (Hutchins) Woodman, whose sketch may be found on another page, grandson of Nathaniel and Betsey (Kimball) Woodman, and great- grandson of Jacob Woodman, who was an Eng- lish emigrant. He made his home in Durham, Mass., where he cultivated a large farm; he re- ceived the rank and commission of colonel for services in the War of 1812. Nathaniel Wood- man, his son, was a currier and a shoemaker by trade, also operating a farm. He finally became a resident of Bath, after living a time at West Thornton. Kimball F. Woodman, our subject's father, has been engaged the most of his active life in the manufacture of wagon and sleigh stock, such as spokes, hubs, felloes, and similar articles. Of late, however, because of failing health, he has devoted his attention to agricul- tural pursuits.


Our subject was educated in the public schools of Bath, N. H., going from there to assume a position as clerk in a hotel at Wells River, Vt., He remained there three years in that capacity, and then went to Woodsville, N. H., where he accepted a hike position in the hotel. This posi- tion he held down with satisfaction for four years when he went to the Upper Village of the town of Bath, in 1886, and has since been in the en1- ploy of A. N. Blandin of the Bath Lumber Co. He has been engaged in general farm work. lle


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married Catherine M., daughter of Simon and Catherine (McMorin) Beattie. Mrs. Woodman's parents were both natives of Scotland. Arthur B. Woodman is the only child of our subject; he was born Aug. 19, 1889, and is now attending school. In his political preferences Mr. Wood- inan is a pronounced Democrat, and never loses any legitimate opportunity to benefit the party of his choice. In their religious views Mr. Wood- man and wife have leanings toward the Congre- gational Church, and may be found among its regular attendants and stanch supporters. So- cially Mr. Woodman belongs to Concordia Lodge, No. 64, I. O. O. F., of Lisbon; and Court Parker Lodge, Independent Order of Foresters, also of Lisbon, N. H. Both he and his wife are members of the Gertrude Belle Lyman Lodge, No. 36, Rebeccas. Mr. Woodman has also taken the Encampment degrees, I. O. O. F.


DANIEL J. WHITCHER, an extensive lum- ber dealer of Easton, N. H., was born in the town of Landaff, N. II., Feb. 2, 1849; he is a son of Samuel and Emily (Quimby) Whitcher, and grandson of William and Mary (Noyes) Whitcher.


The grandfather of our subject was born May 23, 1783, and settled in Benton, N. H., when he took upon himself the responsibility of his own support; he engaged in farming and lumbering, and followed those occupations all his life. His wife, with whom he was joined in marriage Feb. 15, 1807, was a daughter of Samuel Noyes of Landaff, N. H .; she bore him the large family of sixteen children: Moses, born Dec. 26, 1807; William, Dec. 26, 1808; Amos, May 18, 1810; Louisa, Dec. 22, 1811; Winthrop C., Feb. 18, 1813; Samuel, Aug. 24, 1814; Ira, Dec. 2, 1815; Sarah, May 25, 1817; Hannah, April 4, 1819; James, Oct. 1, 1820; Chase, Jan. 20, 1822; Mary, Oct. 28, 1823; Susan, May 20, 1825; Daniel, Jan. 20, 1827; David, June 17, 1828; and Phebe, Feb. 24, 1831. He was a Baptist in religion, a Dem- ocrat in politics, and held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years.


Samuel Whitcher was born in Benton, N. H., Ang. 24, 1814, received his education in the schools of his native place, and when he took up


business for himself, dropped into the same lines in which his father was operating, becoming a farmer and a lumberman, making the town of Landaff his place of residence through the active portion of his life. His wife was a daughter of Joshua and Lydia (Jesseman) Quimby, who were prominent and well known in the town of Lisbon, N. H. Six children were born to our subject's parents, as follows: Lydia E., born June 22, 1841; Betsey S., Feb. 5, 1844; David S., Nov. 30, 1846; Daniel J., the subject of this sketch, born Feb. 2, 1849; Charles O., Nov. 21, 1852; and Susan, April 20, 1859. Lydia E. mar- ried W. H. Polley of Quebec, Canada; they had one child, which is now in the regions above; he was named Willie F. Betsey S. married William Kendall of Benton. Charles O. married Josie E. Kimball of Franklin, N. H., and has one child, Kate D. Susan married George H. Clark of Benton. The father of our subject passed to his reward Oct. 8, 1879. Samuel Whitcher was 2 Democrat, and a Universalist in his religious views; her death took place May 5, 1888.


Daniel J. Whitcher was educated in the com- mon schools of Landaff and Sanbornton Bridge (now Tilton), finishing in New Hampton Insti- tute, and then worked in the lumbering business for his father for one year. In company with his brother-in-law, William Kendall, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, he started out in business for himself in the town of Landaff, engaging in the lumber business. After dispos- ing of his trade, in 1892, to the Fall Mountain Paper Co., he moved to his present home in 1894. Since that year, in connection with his farming, he has been engaged in developing a large lum- bering business, which has already rewarded his efforts handsomely. He owns and operates a saw-mill and shingle-mill. His product is sold to the Parker & Young Co., of Lisbon, N. H., be- sides what is sold to the local trade and to Man- chester and Concord. He is a Democrat, and fias represented the towns of Landaff and Easton in the legislative halls of Concord, N. H., in 1878. He has also served with efficiency as town clerk and treasurer.


In the month of February, 1894, he was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony to Pheeb P. Whitcher, daughter of Moses and Julia E. (Bron- son) Whitcher. They are liberal in their relig- ious views.


ELBERT HEWITT.


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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.


ELBERT HEWITT, now a resident of Leb- anon, but until recently a much-respected citizen and farmer of the town of Hanover, N. H., where his farm was located on Prospect Hill, is the son of Lucian and Lucy M. (Bartholomew) Hewitt.


The first prominent member of the Hewitt family in the Colonies was Col. Henry Hewitt, who was born in Stonington, Conn., in 1705; he married Mercy Graham, granddaughter of John Howland of the Mayflower, whose line runs back to John Denison of County Herts, England, who was born about 1550.


Increase Hewitt, son of Col. Henry and Mercy (Graham) Hewitt, was the father of Henry Hewitt, who is the grandfather of our subject. Henry Hewitt was born May 25, 1782, and died Oct. 23, 1847. He came from Connecticut as one of the pioneers of the Green Mountain State. He was a powerful man, physically, and was six feet four inches in height. He married Hannah Bugbee, daughter of Abial Bugbee; she was born Sept. 8, 1783, and died Nov. 22, 1858.


Lucian Hewitt, son of Henry, was a tall, mus- cular man, like his father. He was born in Pom- fret, Vt., Feb. 25, 1814, and died in his sixty-first year in his native town, having lived there all his life, mainly engaged in farming. He was a teacher many years of his life, as were all of his brothers and sisters except one; he was self- taught, and acquired a fine knowledge of algebra all by himself with no instruction; he was reputed to be one of the best mathematicians of the State of Vermont. His teaching extended over a period of forty school terms. He was a Univer- salist in religious belief. His wife, Lucy M. Bartholomew, was the second of seven children born to Luther and Fannie (Fox) Bartholomew. Luther Bartholomew was a farmer by occupa- tion and lived in Barnet, Vt., where he died; he was a member of the M. E. Church; held many offices; was selectman, overseer of the poor, lister, constable, and tax collector.


Our subject's boyhood days were spent in Pomfret, Vt., where he was born July 30, 1843; he attended the district schools until the out- break of the war, and after his return attended one term at Royalton Academy at Royalton, Vt. April 7, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F., after- wards transferred to Co. A., 17th Reg. U. S. Inf., at West Lebanon, N. H., serving until May 15,


1864. He was wounded in the left breast at the Second Battle of Bull Run, but would not leave his company until they reached South Mountain and Antietam, in which engagements he partici- pated. He then had typhoid fever, and when he was sickest the army moved, and he was sent to the hospital at Frederick City, and when con- valescent was sent to the convalescent camp near by. When he was strong enough to travel he came home, but was exposed to measles on the way and very nearly died with them. Upon his recovery he was dispatched to Fort Preble, Me., where he received his discharge and came home in May, 1864. Under the influence of home and home comforts he grew so much stronger that in August, 1864, he re-enlisted in Co. C., 6th Reg. Vt. Vol. Inf., and was gone from the State only twenty-four days when he received a wound. He was struck in the face by a piece of a shell, which killed his next comrade and wounded seven others; he was left on the field for dead, but he finally returned to conscious- ness and recovered enough strength to get up and make for the rear. His lower jaw was broken in three places, half of his upper jaw split off, and all the teeth shot out. By the most skillful surgery the flesh from his face was drawn together, making new lips, and the once dreadful- appearing wound is now scarcely noticeable. Three operations were performed on his jaw in the hospital to bring about the desired end. He was mustered out in June, 1865, and came home. By special act of Congress he now receives $40 per month as part compensation for his suffer- ings.


Mr. Hewitt was married Jan. 1, 1867, at Leb- anon, N. H., to Augusta A. Merrill, daughter of Alvin I. and Augusta A. (Wright) Merrill. Two children were born to our subject and his wife. May. Augusta married Edwin P. Merrill, and has four children: Alice M., who died in in- fancy; Leland Stanford: Lester Edwin; and Frances A. Charles Elbert married Frances L. Warden; he is in business in Newburgh, N. Y., as an electrical engineer; he is a graduate of Dartmouth College and a post-graduate of Cor- nell University of Ithaca, N. Y. His wife is a daughter of Andrew and Frances L. (Flint) Warden.


After the war was over our subject lived in Hanover two years, and in Lebanon seven years.


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He is an expert cabinet-maker, and worked one year in Brattleboro in the Estey Organ Shops. In 1875 he came to Aetna, town of Hanover, and lived there four years. In 1879 he moved to his farm of 100 acres, which he sold, and pur- chased a home on Summer Street, village of Lebanon, N. H.




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