Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire, Part 69

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 69

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FRED P. DEARTH, a popular and enterpris- ing insurance agent of Woodsville, N. H., is the son of Enoch C. and Hannah C. (Willey) Dearth, and grandson of Asa and Elizabeth (Carr) Dearth. It is thought by those who have good reason for believing that Asa Dearth was born in Canaan, Vt., and he departed this life at Stoneham, Mass., at the age of seventy-eight. Five children were born to them: Edson, Enoch, Albert, Percis, and Ann.

Enoch C. Dearth was born in the town of Ca- naan, Vt., and was reared to agricultural pur- suits, and followed that calling until the break-

DANIEL KIDDER.

389

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

ing out of the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted in the 15th Reg. N. H. Vol. Inf .; he went to the front, but never saw the granite hills of his native State again, dying at the age of thirty-one, in New Orleans. His wife, Hannah C. Willey of Peacham, Vt., died at the age of fifty-three. Only two children were born of this union, and they were named Effa S. and Fred P., our subject. They were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Dearth was a Democrat in political attachments.

Fred P. Dearth was born in Bath, Aug. 4, 1860; in 1867 he came to Woodsville with his mother and there received his education. At the age of thirteen he started out in life to support himself. He took up railroading, and followed it for seven years. Then for thirteen years he was engaged in the bottling business. In the spring of 1896 he took up insurance, writing policies in the three main branches of that busi- ness-fire, life, and accident.

In 1886 he was joined in marriage to Maude E., daughter of Charles E. Rumsey of Wells River, Vt. They have one child as the fruit of their union: Dorothy I. Socially Mr. Dearth occupies a prominent place; he is a member of the Moosehillock Lodge, No. 25, I. O. O. F., and is the secretary of the same. He is also a mem- ber of the Encampment. He is a Republican, and has served as secretary and treasurer of the town committee, and is tax collector at the pres- ent time.

DANIEL KIDDER, a master mechanic, and a member of the firm of Daniel Kidder & Son, lumber manufacturers of North Groton, N. H., was born in Lowell, Mass., June 15, 1838, and is a son of John and Betsey (Metcalf) Kidder, and a grandson of John and Louise (Peacock) Kid- der. John Kidder, Sr., lived in Amherst, N. H., and was a cooper by trade, also owning and carrying on a farm. Quite carly in life he came to Groton among the earliest settlers, and made his home, where E. S. Dimond now lives. As there was a small saw-mill near by, he sawed enough plank and boards to build him a house; later he replaced it with better and more impos- ing structures. He owned 200 acres of land, 100 of which he cleared; he was a sturdy, hard worker, and managed to accumulate consider-

able property. He lived to be nearly eighty years old. His wife was over eighty years at the time of her decease. The following children came to their home: John, Lois, Alice, Lucy, Huldah, Daniel, and Lucetta.

John Kidder, Jr., our subject's father, was born in Amherst, N. H., and when a young man learned the machinist's trade, and set up the first steam engine that was ever used in the city of Lowell, Mass. He worked there until 1844, when he came to Groton, N. H., and bought the A. Buell saw and grist-mills. He remodeled the mills, put in new machinery, and launched out into the manufacture of furniture, and did a large business until his business retirement, in 1860, when he sold the mill and took up the occupation of farming. He purchased the rural property, where his son Mark B. Kildder now dwells, of 150 acres, and made it his home till death, at the age of seventy-two; his wife was taken to the blissful abodes in the seventy-fifth year of her life. She was a daughter of William Metcalf of the town of Groton. Mr. Kidder's children were named as follows: Daniel, Eliza, Lanson F., David M., Elenora C,, and Mark B. Our subject's father was a Democrat, and re- ceived distinction at the hand of his fellow- townsmen by being selected as a representative in the Legislature for, one year. He also served as town clerk several years, and superintendent of the school committee, in addition to other minor offices.

Daniel Kidder attended the public schools of the town of Groton, from the age of six years to the age of fifteen, when he went to Natick, Mass., and learned the machinist trade, and had charge of an engine of a box factory there for three years. He then went to Franklin, N. H., where he secured a situation in the Aiken Machine Shops of that place, and was connected thirteen years with the establishment, serving most of that time as superintendent. In 1868 he became master mechanic on the Mt. Washington Rail- road, which reached its final completion in 1871; Mr. Kidder supervised the construction of the first locomotive ever built for that road, and ran it for the first year without an accident. This was an extraordinary record for a project of so experimental a nature, and assured the future success of the road. As all the readers of this biography know, undoubtedly, the peculiar na-

DANIEL KIDDER.

389

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

DANIEL KIDDER, a master mechanic, and a member of the firm of Daniel Kidder & Son, lumber manufacturers of North Groton, N. H., was born in Lowell, Mass., June 15, 1838, and is a son of Jolin and Betsey (Metcalf) Kidder, and a grandson of John and Louise (Peacock) Kid- der. John Kidder, Sr., lived in Amherst, N. H., and was a cooper by trade, also owning and carrying on a farm. Quite early in life he came to Groton among the earliest settlers, and made his home, where E. S. Dimond now lives. As there was a small saw-mill near by, he sawed enough plank and boards to build him a house; later he replaced it with better and more impos- ing structures. He owned 200 acres of land, 100 of which he cleared; he was a sturdy, hard worker, and managed to accumulate consider-

John Kidder, Jr., our subject's father, was born in Amherst, N. H., and when a young man learned the machinist's trade, and set up the first steam engine that was ever used in the city of Lowell, Mass. He worked there until 1844, when he came to Groton, N. H., and bought the A. Buell saw and grist-mills. He remodeled the inills, put in new machinery, and launched out into the manufacture of furniture, and did a large business until his business retirement, in 1860, when he sold the mill and took up the occupation of farming. He purchased the rural property, where his son Mark B. Kildder now dwells, of 150 acres, and made it his home till death, at the age of seventy-two; his wife was taken to the blissful abodes in the seventy-fifth year of her life. She was a daughter of William Metcalf of the town of Groton. Mr. Kidder's children were named as follows: Daniel, Eliza, Lanson F., David M., Elenora C,, and Mark B. Our subject's father was a Democrat, and re- ceived distinction at the hand of his fellow- townsmen by being selected as a representative in the Legislature for, one year. He also served as town clerk several years, and superintendent of the school committee, in addition to other minor offices.

390

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

ture and construction of the road and the rolling stock, we will omit all further reference, except to note the chief obstacle that makes the road what it is, that is the heavy grade, which ranges from two and a half inches per yard to thirteen inches per yard. To the early railroad projector such grades were deemed impracticable, and they were, with ordinary types of engines. Engines of a novel construction were needed, and as we have noted before, Mr. Kidder supervised the entire construction of the first one ever built. He afterwards became master mechanic of the Whitefield & Jefferson Railroad, a position he has held at two different times. He has also been master mechanic for Brown's Lumber Co., at Whitefield, N. H. He set up their engine, which is the largest one in the northern part of the State of New Hampshire. Our subject has been called upon three different times to give his val- uable assistance at the Manchester Locomotive Works; at cach engagement he spent some time in Manchester.

In 1888 he purchased the C. F. Wheet Mills, at North Groton, and also a residence in the same town. He introduced steam power into. the mills, and has since carried on the manufac- ture of lumber; he has also conducted a small machine shop in the village. Our subject also became connected with and a member of the firm of Wilton & Kidder, manufacturers of trusses and surgical instruments; the firm re- moved their manufacturing interests to Franklin at a later period, our subject having an interest in it there for two years.

Our subject and his only son, Fred Kidder, are the owners of 600 acres of forest land, which they have mostly cleared, and manufactured the timber into first-class lumber. They also own some mica mines of fine quality, which are as yet undeveloped. Mr. Kidder also owns a farm near the village, where he carries on general farming, stock raising, and dairying.

In 1861 Mr. Kidder enlisted in Co. C., Ist Reg. N. H. Vol. Inf., from Manchester. It is said he was the fifth to enlist from this State. He dropped his tools at almost the sound of the first call and went forth to preserve the integrity of this nation, that this nation might not perish from the earth. During most of his service he served as scout. While engaged in some of the necessary duties incident to camp life, he sus-

tained a severe injury that incapacitated him from further active service; he was discharged at the end of four months for physical dis- ability.

Mr. Kidder was joined in the holy bond of matrimony in 1862, to Emeline F., daughter of Luther and Lucy (Tenney) Hardy of the town of Groton; she was born in 1842, and has pre- sented our subject with two children: Fred, born April 16, 1864, married Ida Duncklee, and has one child by the union, Lena Gladys; his residence is in North Groton, and he is associated in business with his father; Ada, born July 22, 1868, is a teacher. Mr. Kidder is a Democrat in politics, and represented the town in the Legis- . lature of 1890-91. He has served as selectman for two terms; has also filled the offices of minor importance, such as overseer of the poor for one term; town treasurer for thirteen years; and assistant town clerk for several years. He is at present justice of the peace, a position he has filled acceptably for a number of years. In his religious views he favors the Universalist Church and may be found as one of its regular wor- shippers. He is a member of the Olive Branch · Lodge, F. & A. M., of Plymouth; Concord, R. A. M .; and Concord Commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the G. A. R. Post of Rumney.

The publishers of this volume take great pleas- ure in presenting Mr. Kidder's portrait on a pre- ceding page, in connection with the foregoing brief biographical sketch.

GEORGE W. GARLAND, a retired citizen of Plymouth, is the son of Jonathan Garland. Jonathan Garland was born in Old Hampton, Mass. Soon after his marriage ne went to Hold- erness, N. H., and farmed there about fourteen years. He then moved to Campton, where he spent the remainder of his days. He married Deborah, daughter of Robert Goss of Hanover, N. H. She was stricken by the cruel hand of Death in her sixty ninth year. Mr. Garland passed away at the age of seventy-two. They had a family of twelve children, ten of whom grew up to maturity: William died at the age of four; Mary (Randlett); Henry R .; Hulda B. (Moore); William P .; George W., the subject

391

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

of this sketch; Hannah J. (Randlett); Climela (Hurd); Morilla (Shaw); Silas died in youth; Emily (Glover); Almira (Peterson). Mr. and Mrs. Garland were supporters of the Free Will Baptist Church. Mr. Garland was a loyal parti- san for Democracy. Although he was a very great reader and very well informed, and not- withstanding his interest in public affairs, he never accepted a nomination for office.

George W. Garland was born in Holderness, July 19, 1831. He received his education and passed his youthful days in Campton, where his parents moved when he was a young child. He began to assume responsibility for his own wel- fare at the age of seventeen, when he started out in the lumbering business; for thirty years he identified himself with lumbering in- terests, doing some farming in the summer time. He owned a farm in Thornton, and there his family resided during this time. After leaving the lumbering camps for good he located in Ply- mouth, and did the teaming there until 1893, when he sold out.

Mr. Garland is a strong Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in town affairs. While he made his home in Thornton he repre- sented that village in the State Legislature for one term. He has also served as surveyor for his district eight years, and has been a member of the board of selectmen for seven years.

In 1855 Mr. Garland married Sarah Gilman; she died at the age of thirty-five. He married, in 1860, his second wife, Lucinda Avery; she passed away when twenty-six years old. In 1864 he was joined in marriage to Eliza A., daughter of Increase Batchelder; they have one son: Dr. William R.

Dr. William R. Garland was born in Thornton, March 22, 1865. His rudimentary education was obtained in the schools of Plymouth, and in the Holderness Episcopal School, from which school he went to the New Hampton Literary Institute to prepare for college. He entered Dartmouth College, and applid himself to the study of medi- cine. He was graduated from the Medical De- partment in the Class of 1885, and in the same year commenced to practice in Lancaster, where he remained about nine months. From Lancas- ter he transferred his work to Campton Village, and built up. a good practice, living there until 1895, when he came to Plymouth, where he is

actively engaged at present. Dr. Garland is a member of the New Hampshire State Medical Society, and is also connected with the Baker River Medical Society.

In 1886 he was married to Sadie, daughter of James Clough of Lyman. She was taken from him at the age of twenty-five, leaving one daugh- ter, Mary Blanch, to keep her memory green. He married again, in 1890, the lady of his choice being Mary A., daughter of Jasper Pillsbury of Rumney, N. H., by whom he has one son, George W., Jr.

DAVID GLYNN, a retired glove manufac- turer of Plymouth, N. H., is the son of Stephen Glynn. Stephen Glynn was born in Galway County, Ireland. At the age of twenty-four he sailed for America, being sixty-five days out of sight of land. Landing in New York City, he remained there for a short time, and then went to Massachusetts, making Boston his home for several years. Finally he came to Plymouth, N. H., bought a farm and remained on the same, engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, at the age of seventy-five, in 1872. He married Sarah Clifford of Dorchester, N. H. She de- parted this life at the age of fifty-two. They reared two children: Thomas F. and David. Mr. Glynn was a Protestant in religion. He voted the Democratic ticket.

David Glynn, the subject of this sketch, was born in Plymouth, Nov. 16, 1842, on what is known as Pike's Hill. He obtained his school- ing in his native town.

When the war broke out, and there was a call for volunteers, Mr. Glynn enlisted on Oct. 12, 1861, in Co. A., 6th Reg. N. H. Vol. Inf., for a three years' term of service. The 6th Regiment was taken by steamer to Hatteras Island, thence to Roanoke Island, and from there to New Berne, N. C., where it joined the Army of the Potomac before the Battle of Bull Run. It remained in this organization during the summer and partici- pated in the skirmishes along the Valley of the Potomac. In the winter of 1862-63 they went to Kentucky, and from there were sent to aid the Army of the Mississippi in the capture of Vicks- burg. The 6th N. H. Reg. did valiant service in

392

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

this campaign, and are entitled to some praise for that victory that came in the darkest period of the war, and meant so much to the Union cause. After this victory, the regiment was taken to Jackson, Miss .; and in the winter of 1863-64 it rejoined the Army of the Potomac, and remained with it till the close of the war. Mr. Glynn was favorably known among his fellow- soldiers and officers as a faithful and fearless sol- dier. He was never known to shirk any duty nor flinch in times of personal danger. He may be well proud of this period in his life. Mr. Glynn was honorably discharged, April 10, 1865.

He returned to his native town and engaged in the manufacture of gloves, being associated with his brother until 1880, when Mr. Glynn retired. He lives on a little farm, nicely located on the west side of the Pemigewasset River, in the town of Plymouth, where he has been occupied in the business of raising garden produce for the market since his retirement.

He was joined in marriage, in 1878, to Helen, daughter of Dr. Thomas E. Fisher of Frances- town, N. H. They have one daughter, Ethel J. Mr. Glynn is a supporter of Democratic princi- ples. He is a member of the Orlando Keyes Post, No. 35, G. A. R.

THOMAS JEFFERSON ADAMS, a retired drover of the town of Plymouth, N. H., is a lineal descendant of Sir John Ap-Adam of Som- ersetshire, England; the line runs back through the generations of John, Joseph, Archelaus, Jr., Archelaus, Robert, Jr., Robert, Richard, John, Jr., John, and eleven more. The first represen- tative of the family in America was Robert Adams, Jr., who was born in Devonshire, Eng- land, in 1601, and with his wife, Elinor, and family settled in Ipswich, Mass., in 1635. In 1638 he moved to Salem, but finally settled down on a farm in Newbury, Mass .; this homestead is still in the possession of the Adams family. He mar- ried his first wife in 1628; they had a family of eleven children. She died in the month of June, 1677. He married his second wife in 1678, the lady being widow Sara (Glover) Short. She passed away in 1697.

Archelaus Adams, the son of Robert Adams, Jr., was born about 1658, in Newbury, Mass. He

was an old time innholder in his native town. He was a soldier at York, Me., in 1695. He married his first wife in 1698, and they reared eight children. Having lost his first wife by death he married as his second wife widow Sarah Green, in 1719.

Archelaus Adams, Jr., the son of the preced- ing, was born Nov. 21, 1714, in Newbury, Mass. He was a yeoman. He married as his first wife Mercy Dowe, in 1737; she did not live long. In 174I he married again, the bride being Dorothy Clement. She was called above but a very short time after the marriage. For his third wife he married, in 1742, Mary Pierson. They reared a family of eleven children. He died in 1783.

Joseph Adams, the fourth child of Archelaus Adams, Jr., was born in Salisbury, Mass., April 19, 1745. He was a ship-builder by trade. He fought in the War of the Revolution, and held the rank of sergeant. He belonged to Capt. Jonathan Evans' company and Col. James Fry's regiment. He spent his last years in the town of Plymouth, where he died, in 1803, on what is known as Adams's Hill. His body was taken to his native home. in Salisbury for interment. In 1768 he was joined in marriage to Molly Currier of Amesbury, Mass. She died at the age of ninety-six. Ten children were born to them: Betty, John, Mehitabel, Joseph, James, William, Archelaus, Ezekiel, Moses, and Martha.

John Adams, the son of Joseph Adams, and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 9, 1771, in Salisbury, Mass. He was reared and educated in his native town. He was a ship- builder by trade, and moved to Plymouth when a young man, where he remained the rest of his days, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died in 1863.

In 1796 he married Sally Currier of Salisbury, Mass .; she died in 1858 at the age of eighty-one. Their children were: John, born in 1798, and died in 1850; Bartlett, born in 1799, and died in 1874; Philena (Cummings), born in 1803, and died in 1879; Mary Currier, born in 1805, and died in 1881; Almira, born in 1807, and died in 1826; James Madison, born in 1809, and died in 1841; Joseph, born in 1811, and died in 1864; Sarah Jane, born in 1813, and died in 1816; George Washington, born in 1815, and died in 1816; Sarah Jane (Bradford), born in 1817, and died in 1880; Emily Grace (Hill), born in 1819,

SAMUEL S. MITCHELL.

393

BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.

and died in 1878; Thomas Jefferson, the subject of this sketch.

John Adams was a prominent Democrat. He served as deputy sheriff from 1831 to 1836: He was tax collector two years, and was mail carrier from Plymouth to Portsmouth from 1821 until 1823.

Thomas Jefferson Adams was born Nov. 5, 1822, in Plymouth on Adams Hill. He received his education in Plymouth. In 1848 he opened a provision store in Boston, Mass .; but in 1849 he was called back to his native town by the death of his brother to care for his parents. He re- mained with them until they passed away. He became engaged in the drover business, and fol- lowed that for upwards of twenty years. He has also been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns several small productive farms that he cares for.

In 1848 he married Mary J., daughter of James and Sally (Hayes) Remick of Berwick, Me. Mr. Adams is a firm Democrat, and has served as se- lectman. He is a member of the Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M.

MRS. MILLIE H. MITCHELL, widow of the late Samuel S. Mitchell, assisted by her son, Carl Albert, is engaged in farming on the home- stead of her late husband. Mr. Mitchell was born in Kennebunk, Me., and is a son of Israel and Hepsibah (Blair) Mitchell, and a grandson of Ebenezer and Sarah (Littlefield) Mitchell. Ebenezer was a farmer, and was of Scotch de- scent.

Israel Mitchell was a brick-maker by trade, and followed that trade, and also engaged in farming. His wife was born in Campton, and was a daughter of Peter Blair. She was on a visit in Charlestown and Somersville when she met Israel Mitchell, and there she was married to him. They then moved to Kennebunk, where they lived some years. As her relatives were residents of Campton, the young couple came to Campton. Israel bought a farm, where our subject now makes her home; it is composed of 400 acres. He purchased it in 1849, and at once began to improve it; the improvements are visi-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire, Part 69

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

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