USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire > Part 65
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our subject's father, was born in 1805, and worked at hauling stone for the Bunker Hill Monument one year before his brother. When he disposed of the brick business he held an in- terest in, he became the station agent at North Haverhill for the B. & M. R. R., which passed through his farm. He speculated in tanning bark and lumber, and managed to turn many an honest penny by such deals. He was selectman of Haverhill for many years. He married Lavina Penniman of Plymouth, and died at the age of fifty, leaving no issue to inherit his property.
Amos M. Pike was the fourth of the following family of eight children born to his parents: Charles; and one, who died in infancy; Sarah M. (Collins) lives in Benton; Amos M .; Hannah C., deceased; Clifton P. of Benton; Franklin, de- ceased; Ezra T., deceased. Our subject attended the district schools in Haverhill, near his early home, till he was ten years old, when the family moved to Hopkinton, Mass., and there he at- tended the common and high schools till he was nineteen; at the latter age he moved back to Haverhill, where he finished his schooling.
In 1860 he accepted a position in the big shoe factory of Claflin,, Coburn & Co., and remained with the firm for two years, proving himself a conscientious and trustworthy workman in every respect; he had previously worked at the trade, from the age of twelve till he was twenty-one, at different times. In 1862 he returned to Haver- hill, his father having moved there some years previous, and worked out in the Connecticut Valley on farms for five years. When he was married, March 20, 1867, he came to his present farm, and immediately took charge of it, and has made it his home for the past thirty years. He now owns about 200 acres, which is devoted to dairy farming; ten or twelve choice cows con- vert the fodder products of the farm into the milk which he disposes of at the North Haverhill Creamery.
He was married to his present life-partner in joy and sorrow in Benton; Lucetta S. Taylor was born in Benton, the eldest of eleven children, born to Charles C. and Diana (Bishop) Tyler. Charles C. Tyler of Benton, was one of sixteen children born to Kimball Tyler, a pioneer settler of Benton, and his wife Sallie Streeter. Diana Bishop, mother of our subject's wife, was a daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Caswell)
Bishop. Three children, all living and well-to- do, were the result of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pike; they are: Alvin D .; Wilbur F., a black- smith of North Haverhill, to whom has been born one son, Forest Amos; Susan D. married James H. Nutter of Bath, and has made him the parent of one daughter, Doris Lucetta. Our subject and his highly esteemed wife attend the Benton Union Church. Mr. Pike is a member of Ammonoosuc Grange, No. 55, of Bath; Mrs. Pike is at present the lecturer of the Grange. Mr. Pike is a Democrat, and served as highway surveyor for seven years. His conduct in life has been noble and honorable in every particular, and he well merits the good opinion in which he is held by all with whom he comes in contact.
ERASTUS B. DEARBORN, a retired glove manufacturer of Plymouth, N. H., is the son of Asaph Dearborn, grandson of Benjamin Dear- born, great-grandson of Edwin Dearborn, and great-great-grandson of Samuel Dearborn, who came from Chester, N. H., being one of the earl- iest settlers of the town of Plymouth. He located on what is known as Ward's Hill, and the Dear- born homestead is on what is now called Dear- born Hill. The family is, in a true sense of the word, a Plymouth family, having been repre- sented in the town for six generations.
Benjamin Dearborn married Ruth Gill, and they reared a family of three sons and three daughters. Asaph was born on Dearborn Hill. He learned the blacksmith's trade, but owing to failing health, he decided to relinquish the trade and engage in agricultural pursuits. He was a public-spirited man, and very much interested in town politics. He made an excellent chair- man of the board of selectmen, and saw many improvements completed that owed their incep- tion to him. He married Sarah, daughter of Gilman Fletcher of Bridgewater, N. H. He passed away at the early age of thirty-two, leav- ing a wife and three boys: Erastus B .; Gill F .; Samuel A., who died at the age of twenty-six.
Erastus B. Dearborn was born in Plymouth, Oct. 24, 1847. His father's death, making him an orphan at an early age, made it a necessity that Erastus should fight his own battles in the world. At the age of twelve he began to work
HON. ERASTUS DOLE.
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in a tannery at Plymouth, remaining there till he had served his apprenticeship. Mr. Dearborn and brother then began the manufacture of glove stock, under the firm name of Dearborn Bros., continuing in the work under that name for twelve years, when their business was enlarged and a partner admitted, changing the firm name to Dearborn Bros. & Farmer. In 1894 Mr. Dear- born retired.
Mr. Dearborn married Emma, daughter of Daniel Flanders of Plymouth, in December, 1872. They have a family of two children: Ar- thur E., who is engaged in Peppard's drug store; and Blanche S. Mr. Dearborn is a Master Mason; he is a member of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M .; Pemigewasset Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M .; Omega Council, No. 9, R. & S. M .; all of Plymouth, and he is a member of Pilgrim Commandery, K. T., at Laconia, N. H. He is also a member of Plymouth Lodge, No. 66, I. O. O. F. Mr. Dearborn is a Republican, and is serving the town as road agent at the present time; he represented the town in the State Legislature in 1895.
HON ERASTUS DOLE, of the well-known firm of E. Dole & Co., extensive manufacturers of woolen fabrics, of Campton Village, N. H., was born in Limerick, Me., May 15, 1822. He is a son of Henry and Sarah (Butler) Dole, and the grandson of Henry and Anna (Poore) Dole. Both of his grandparents were natives of New- bury, Mass., and there reared nine children. Late in life they settled in Limerick, Me., and engaged in farming. Henry Dole, Sr., was a private in the War of 1812.
Henry Dole, Jr., was born in Newbury, Mass., and moved to Limerick with the family. There he was enabled to buy a large farmi; he was mar- ried and reared a family of eleven children: Al- bert, Luther, Henry A., Almira, John, Ira, Silas, Edmund, Erastus, Phebe, and Moses C. He was one of the leading farmers of his time, and made a successful fight in the struggle for a com- petence and a living. He was a Federal and later a Democrat, and served as selectman, and in other of the minor offices of the town. He moved to Limerick at the age of twenty-eight,
and died there at the age of seventy-six. His wife departed this life at the age of forty-two.
At the age of seventeen our subject came to Campton in search of his fortune, and secured work as a journeyman in the cloth-dressing fac- tory of Moses Cook. While in his employ Mr. Dole proved himself to be of such sound judg- ment and of exceptional skill, that his employer offered a partnership to him. So at the age of twenty-one he was received into the firm, and the firm's name changed to Moses Cook & Co. For six years they continued in business to their mutual satisfaction, and the improvement of their plant; at the end of that period our subject's brothers, John and Moses, bought Mr. Cook's interests, and re-established the business under the name of J. Dole & Bros. In 1855 the firm was changed to E. Dole & Co., Mr. Dole's brother John selling to E. H. Hodgdon, and under this name the firm is doing a prosperous business to-day. The members of the firm are Erastus Dole, Moses C. Dole, E. H. Hodgdon, and Moody C. Dole. They have built up a fine trade, and manufacture cassimeres, flannels, and stocking yarn. They also manufacture pants, and do a large amount of custom carding. The plant occupies a three-story building, fitted with modern, improved machinery of the most ap- proved type. The establishment is known as the Mad River Woolen Mills of Campton Village, N. H.
Our subject married Samantha, daughter of Moody and Lucy (Eaton) Cook. She died in 1878, aged fifty-six. Their children are: Moody C. and Herbert E. Moody C. married Lillian Merrill, and has five children. Herbert E. mar- ried Alice Jackman, and has one child. He is engaged in the jewelry business in Boston. Mr. Dole's second wife was Flora E., daughter of Dr. Peter L. and Elizabeth A. (Davis) Hoyt.
Mr. Dole has an elegant residence near the factory, and delights to extend his hospitality to all his friends, whose name is legion. He is one of the leading men of the village, and has done much to aid it in its development. Even now, at his advanced age, he manages to take an active interest in town affairs. He is well pre- served, in fact looks the very picture of health, and each day finds him as nimble as a boy in getting about his daily duties. A visitor at the mills will find him either in the office, working
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at the books, or in charge of the first floor which he has overseen faithfully for so many years. He has always a kind word and smile for all his em- ployees and patrons. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay for President, and since the forma- tion of the Republican party has steadfastly sup- ported it, voting for John C. Fremont and Abra- ham Lincoln, the first two standard-bearers of that party. He has represented the town in the State Legislature of 1869-70, and has also been selectman for four years. Other minor offices, which he has been frequently honored with, he has filled with great credit to himself and good results to the community. In his religious be- liefs he favors the Congregational Church, and may be found a very regular worshipper in the church building of that society. This brief sketch and accompanying portrait will serve to perpet- uate his memory, and remind future generations of his sterling worth.
JOSEPH PARKER, a farmer of Plymouth, N. H., is the son of Benjamin Parker, who was born in 1801, and lived in Lancastershire, Eng- land. Benjamin was a manufacturer of shoes and a dealer in the same. He married Charlotte Sut- liff of the same town. They had a family of fifteen children, and reared six of them to ma- turity, all of whom came to America. Mr. Parker made three visits to this country, but died in his native land at the age of sixty-two. After his death his wife came to this country, living at Rutland, Vt., where she fell into her last long sleep at the age of eighty-one, in 1885. Their children are: Thomas, born in 1822, died in 1885; Rev. John, born in 1825, and now lives in New York City; William, born in 1829, and killed in 1879, on the Pennsylvania R. R .; Martha (Kershaw), born in 1832, living now in Rutland, Vt .; Joseph; Susannah, born in 1842, died in 1874, in Philadelphia, Pa .; Mary A. (Shipman), born in 1847, and now residing in Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Mr. Parker was a direct de- scendant of Rear-Admiral Parker of the English navy.
Joseph Parker of Plymouth was born in Lan- castershire, England, Jan. 15, 1838. He came to this country in 1854, landing in New York City.
His journey across the Atlantic was made in the sailing vessel, John Bright, spending six weeks on the way. Atter a short stay in New York, he went to Fulton Co., N. Y., and worked there about eighteen months; at the end of that time he traveled to Philadelphia, Pa., and worked in its vicinity for three years. He then went west to the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and while there worked two seasons on a steamboat, plying on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. He was a resident of Illinois for one year, going from there to Ellenville, N. Y. He was taken sick, so he went to Rutland, Vt., and remained with his sister there eight months.
After he had recovered from his illness he made his way to Philadelphia, and on May 7, 1861, enlisted for the war. He was assigned to the gunboat Louisiana, and was in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for three years. At the expiration of his period of enlistment he was honorably discharged, and, after a two months' rest, he again enlisted, this time in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. He was in all the battles in front of Petersburg, and was present at the surrender of Lee. He was in the battle of Cedar Creek under Sheridan, and followed him in his campaign along the Shenandoah Valley.
Immediately after the war he spent a short time in Massachusetts, and then took a six months' business course at the Commercial Col- lege of Rutland, Vt. His course finished, he went to New York, where he secured a situation in a commission house as clerk; he retained his place eighteen months, when he relinquished it and journeyed to Clyde, Ohio, and began busi- ness for himself as a buyer of produce for the New York markets. He prosecuted this busi- ness successfully for eighteen months, and then returned to New York City and engaged in the butter business for eight months, selling out finally, and then with a partner began again in business, this time as a dealer in painters' sup- plies. He continued in this business for four years. He then sold out his interest and clerked in a wholesale looking-glass establish- ment on the Bowery, being salesman and man- ager. After six years he resigned and went to California, carrying on a furniture business there for four years, when he sold out, and after spend- ing a short time traveling through New Mexico and Arizona, he returned to Lowell, Mass.
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Shortly after his return he bought a large farm in Thornton, N. H. There he engaged in farm- ing; he also ran a summer boarding house. He became the owner of three more farms, but in 1892 he sold all his property to the New Hamp- shire Land Co. and bought a small farm near the town of Plymouth, where he now lives.
Mr. Parker is a member of the Plymouth Lodge, No. 66, I. O. O. F. He also belongs to the G. A. R., J. B. Penniman Post, No. 42. He is a Republican, and is very active in politics. He officiated as moderator of the town of Ply- mouth in 1896.
Mr. Parker married, in 1871, Frances, daugh- ter of Capt. James Lyons of New York City. She died April 5, 1880, in Oakland, Cal., leaving three children: Ada F., wife of Charles Todd of Rindge, N. H .; she has two children, Frank and Bertha; Frederick H .; and Marion M., wife of George A. Brooks of Baldwinsville, Mass. In 1880 he again led a bride to the altar, the lady of his choice being Eliza (Haley) Lampson, daughter of John Haley of Hiram, Me.
HON. JOHN MASON, a leading merchant of Plymouth, is the son of Daniel S. Mason, and grandson of David Mason. David Mason was one of the early settlers of Bristol, N. H. In ad- dition to his work in cultivating a fine farm, he (lid considerable teaming between Bristol and the city of Boston. His wife's maiden name was Esther Moore; she made him the happy parent of three girls and four boys.
Daniel S. Mason was born on the old home- stead, where his parents passed their last years. He remained on the farm and devoted himself to agriculture until 1854, when he moved to the village of Bristol and entered upon the manti- facturing of paper. The venture proved success- ful, and he continued in the business until the mill burned down in 1860. He did not rebuild nor engage in active business life after this un- fortunate occurrence. He married Angelina, daughter of Walter Webster of Plymouth, by whom he had four children: John; Ann M .: Elizabeth (Warner): Lonisa A. (Blake). He was bereaved of his dear wife in 1848, when she was still a young woman; he was again married, to
Miss Ann M. Taylor, daughter of Nicholas M. Taylor of New Hampton, N. H. He departed this life at the age of seventy-six. He was one of the old line of Whigs; so on the final dissolu- tion of that party he transferred his political allegiance to its offspring, the Republican party, then in its infancy. He has served his town in the capacity of selectman.
Hon. John Mason, the eldest child and only son, was born in Bristol, N. H., Oct. 21, 1836. He attended the Bristol district schools, and re- ceived a very good common school education. Finishing the course of study provided in the dis- trict school, he attended New Hampton Institute for a time.
He came to Plymouth when a lad of seventeen to act as clerk for B. B. Dearborn. This was his start in life, and he made good use of it as a stepping-stone to further success. At the age of twenty-three he became one of the firm of Bond, Moody & Mason, successors to B. B. Dearborn. He remained in the firm two years, when he sold his interest to his partners, and spent one year in Bristol; at the end of that time he re- turned to Plymouth and entered again into busi- ness life, this time associating himself with Plum- mer Fox. This partnership continued unbroken for eleven years, till 1873, when he carried on the business alone for three years. He then formed a partnership, the firm's name being Mason & Weeks; they were doing an extensive business when the store and stock was destroyed by fire in 1877. The new firm, Mason, Weeks & Co., at once set about rebuilding; the block was finished in 1879, and they at once opened up the store. In 1886 Mr. Mason bought out his partners, and has since conducted the business alone. He has a large store, well stocked with a carefully assorted line of general merchandise.
He was married. in 1864. to Susie W., daugh- ter of Tudge O. W. Fowler of Bristol, N. H. Three children blessed this union: Harry, who is manager of the Town Hall Clothing Store in Plymouth: Walter W., a successful undertaker and embalmer of Plymouth, and present mem- ber of the State Legislature, being chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills: and Susie E. (deceased).
Mr. Mason is a member of the Olive Branch Lodge. No. 16. F. & A. M .: Pemigewasset Chan- ter, No. 13: Omega Council, No. 9; and a char-
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ter member of the Pilgrim Commandery of Laconia. He is a member of the Plymouth Lodge, No. 66, I. O. O. F .; Wambeck Com- mandery, No. 8; Knights of Honor, No. 753; and Chapter No. 12, Order of the Eastern Star. He is a trustee of the Plymouth Guaranty Savings Bank. He has been town treasurer, and is now chairman of the board of selectmen. In politics he is a strong Republican, and as such ably rep- resented his district in the Legislature of 1881, and held the office of postmaster under President Harrison from 1891 to 1895.
RODNEY E. SMYTHE, cashier of the Pem- igewasset National Bank, and treasurer of the Plymouth Guaranty Savings Bank, is the son of Alexander G. Smythe, the grandson of Joshua Smythe, and great-grandson of Andrew Smythe.
Andrew Smythe was a native, of Ireland, and came to this country when a young man, being one of the original settlers of the town of Hold- erness, Grafton Co., N. H. Throughout his life in America he lived and reared his children in the town and land of his adoption, and there finished his career on earth. His son, Joshua, lived and died on the old homestead, meeting the expenses incident to the bringing up of a large family of twelve children by farming.
Alexander G., the youngest son of Joshua Smythe, passed his early life on the farm, but later he engaged in mercantile business in Hold- erness; the last thirty years of his life, however, being spent in the village of Plymouth. He was a Democrat, and took considerable interest in politics. His admirers honored him with the sev- eral offices of county treasurer, town treasurer, and selectman; and, to his credit be it said, the duties of these offices were conscientiously and efficiently performed by him. He married Caroline, daughter of Peter Flanders of Ply- mouth, N. H. Mr. Smythe and his wife both died at the age of sixty-seven. They left two children: Rodney E., and Cora H. (Perkins).
Rodney E. Smythe was born in Holderness, N. H., Sept. 19, 1849. His father moved to Ply- mouthr when our subject was a boy, and Mr. Smythe has spent most of his subsequent life there. He was educated in the Plymouth schools.
His first business career was that of a merchant, being for a time associated with his father; later he became a member of the firm of Mason, Weeks & Co. In mercantile life lie demonstrated that he possessed the characteristics that go to- wards financial success.
In 1886 he was elected cashier of the Pemige- wasset National Bank of Plymouth, and has con- tinued in that position. He has also been the efficient treasurer of the Guaranty Savings Bank since the date of its organization.
He led to the altar, in 1876, Amelia P. Handy of Hinsdale, N. H., and she has proved herself a most helpful companion on life's journey. They have two children: Blanche and Arthur L.
Mr. Smythe is a member of the Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M .; Pemigewasset Chap- ter, No. 12; Omega Council, No. 9. He is treas- urer of these three organizations. His name ap- pears on the membership roll of the Pilgrim Commandery of Laconia. He is also a member of Plymouth Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 66. He acts as treasurer of the Cottage Hospital Fund, Grafton Co. Agricultural Association, and the Plymouth Fair Association.
SAMUEL CUMINGS WEBSTER, deceased, was the son of Samuel C. Webster, and the grandson of Capt. David Webster. Capt. David's father was Col. David Webster, who was the son of Elder Stephen Webster.
Capt. David Webster was born at Hollis, N. H., in 1763. Agriculture constituted his means of livelihood. He married Lydia Cumings of his native town. She was born in 1769, and lived to the good old age of ninety-six, departing this life in 1865. Capt. David Webster died in 1844. He was a man of marked ability and fertility of re- source, sound in his judgments, one to whom the whole community looked for the best of ad- vice. The Captain was blessed with a family of thirteen children: David; Samuel C .; Eliza C .; Lydia; Harriet; Susan; Ralph; Arthur L .; Mary; Ann M .; Jane; Elizabeth; and one, who died in infancy.
Samuel C., the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1788. He was raised on his father's farm, and devoted his life to agricultural
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pursuits. His partner in life's joys and sorrow's was Catharine, daughter of Moor Russell.
Samuel C. was called to the unseen world July 21, 1834. Their family consisted of six boys and two girls: Samuel Cumings, David Henry, Ann Eliza. Jeremiah Mason, Rufus Bolivar, Edward Cushing, Charles Carroll, and Catharine R.
Samuel Cumings Webster, the eldest of the children and the subject of our sketch, was born in the town of Plymouth, N. H., Feb. 4, 1817, at the old homestead, which his father had chris- tened Scatagee. His education was acquired in the common schools of Plymouth, and in Haver- hill Academy.
From the academy he struck out in life for himself, becoming a very efficient and capable business man. Beginning at the foundation, by his own exertions he made of himself a finished example of a self-made man, the kind that molds the life of communities and the destiny of nations. He was a man of marked individuality of character, and of most wonderful magnetic power. In business circles this characteristic ex- hibited itself in a peculiar forcefulness that al- ways led to success; in private life it was shown in his scholarly attainments. He was esteemed by all who knew him, especially for his kindness to those oppressed with sorrow and suffering. His noble exemplification of the priceless prin- ciples of honesty will long hold him dear in many hearts.
His business career beagn as a clerk in his uncle's store in Plymouth, in which capacity he continued until 1842, when he became more closely interested in the store as a partner. This position he held till his death, which occurred Jan. 23, 1883. His death was a sad loss to the social and commercial life of the town.
His home in Plymouth is known as Sand Knoll. As indicated by the name, it was for- merly a large sand bank, but at present, adorned with a beautiful residence and tastefully arranged grounds, it presents a most pleasing prospect.
He was married, in 1844, to Angelina P., daughter of Col. Levi Rogers of Newbury, Vt., a captain in the War of 1812. Capt. Rogers' wife, Betsey Stone of Piermont, N. H., daughter of Uriah Stone, was a sister of George Washington Stone, who was the grandfather of Chester A. Arthur. Capt. Rogers was a farmer. He died in his sixty-third year; his wife surviv-
ing him to the age of seventy-three. They had seven children: Moses; Eliza; Hannah; Levi; Angelina P. (wife of the subject of this sketch); Betsey M .; and Bradley D.
Angelina P., the widow of Samuel Cummings Webster, still lives at the old home on Sand Knoll in Plymouth. She was not left alone by the death of her husband, for two children re- main to comfort her in her declining years. Win- ifred A. lives at home with her mother. Mar- garet C. married James H. Stone of Detroit, Mich .; they have three children: Webster, Lucile H., and Blinn.
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