USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Book of biographies. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Grafton County, New Hampshire > Part 73
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He married Betsey, daughter of John and Mary Dodge of Enosburg, Vt. Mr. Kidder died in 1854; his wife, surviving him many years, at last passed to her well-earned rest at the age of eighty. They brought up to maturity seven chil- dren: Mary A. (Marston), died at the age of thirty-five; James D., died at the age of sixty- three, in 1887; Elizabeth (Partridge), born in 1826; Harriet (Eaton), died in 1891, aged sixty- three; Clarissa (Bradley), born in 1830; Louisa (Smith), born in 1833; and Amos Mansfield.
Amos Mansfield Kidder, the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of this world March 28, 1837, in Hebron, N. H. He attended the Ply- mouth common schools until he had fitted him- self for high school, when he took for a time ad- vanced studies at the Chelsea High School.
Thus endowed with a good, practical educa- tion, he left the farm at the age of sixteen, and went to Boston to seek his fortune. He spent two years as a clerk in a commission house, sit- uated on the wharf; two years succeeding saw him a clerk in an oil store. He then entered a bank, and labored there four years, gaining much of the knowledge of banking that assisted him later in life. At length, relinquishing his posi- tion in the bank, he accepted a postion in the Lynn & Boston Railroad, holding the offices of director, treasurer, and manager for three years, and performing the work of these offices with the greatest credit to himself and profit to the road.
In January, 1865, he located in New York City, and there opened a banking house on Wall Strcet. He remained in business until failing health compelled him to forego all work and . seek a change of scene. He accordingly took a trip to Europe to escape the worries incident to a business life. While beyond the great ocean he was seized with a great longing to be once again among his native hills of New Hampshire, and upon his return to America he visited the scenes of his boyhood years. Later on he de- cided to build a home in Plymouth. In 1888, the same year in which he built his beautiful home on Highland Street, he also erected a fine brick building on Main Street, which is known as the Kidder Block.
Mr. Kidder still maintains his interest in the banking firm of A. M. Kidder & Co. of New York. In the great panic of '73, when nothing in the business world, however secure, was safe, the firm failed; in ten days a settlement with his patrons had been effected on the basis of thirty- three cents on the dollar, and inside of one year all his obligations had been paid in full. This is a splendid record, one to which anyone might point with justifiable pride.
Mr. Kidder sought and won the hand of Lucy E., daughter of Henry Noyes of Chelsea, Mass. It was an excellent choice, for she has proved in- valuable to him. She has borne him two chil-
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dren. The elder, William M. Kidder, married Emily F. Bliss, and has two children: Amos M., Jr .; and Dalos Bliss. The younger, Lucy W. Kidder, married Edwin M. Bulkley of Engle- wood, N. J. He is a member of the banking firm of Spencer, Trask & Co. of New York City.
Amos M. Kidder is very much interested in home improvements, and the growth of Ply- mouth. As an illustration of this interest, we may point to his seven years' faithful service as overseer of the highways. He is one of the organizers and directors of the local savings bank.
He is a Republican to the backbone, and a strong, unyielding believer in the doctrines of sound money.
LORENZO W. CURRIER is a direct de- scendant of Samuel Currier, who came to Went- worth from Hampstead, N. H., at an early day. He was the first Baptist minister in the town. Acording to a custom, prevailing at that time, the first minister locating in a settlement was to receive a grant of land; but for some unex- plained reason this courtesy was not extended to him. However, Rev. Currier remained in the town, and after a time, becoming popular through his preaching and good works, was offered the land so long delayed. But he showed them his independent character, that he was not forced to accept odds from any man, by refusing it. His death occurred about 1802. He had four sons: Aaron, David, Samuel, and Daniel.
Hon. Aaron Currier came to Wentworth with his father, but very soon after his arrival left for Corinth, Vt., where he lived twelve years, re- turning then to Wentworth, which he inade his permanent home. He was a very busy man, and liis time and attention was largely taken up by numerous business ventures. He was engaged in the tanning business, which was established by his uncle. He also became personally and financially interested in the manufacture of cloth. In addition to these, he owned a grist and saw-mill. He was always among the most active in town affairs, and served as selectman and in other town offices. He represented the town in the State Legislature.
His wife was Abigail Huse; she gave birth to twelve children. The record of the family is as follows: James; David; Aaron; Ezra; Parney (Haines); Sally (Currier); Abigail (Weeks); Mary (Eaton); Samuel; William; Daniel; and John.
Hon. Samuel Currier was born in Wentworth, and was engaged throughout his life in the tan- ning business of that town; he also found time to do a little farming. He married Lois, daughter of Samuel Smart of Wentworth. Her age at the time of her decease was seventy-nine. Samuel Currier lived to be seventy-five years old. Their family was composed of three children: Eunice, Samuel G., and Lorenzo W. Eunice died before reaching maturity. Hon. Samuel G. Currier re- sides in Wentworth; he has served in the various town offices, and has been a member of the Leg- islature, and a member of the Constitutional Convention.
Hon. Lorenzo W. Currier was born in Ply- mouth, May 23, 1828. His parents came to Wentworth when he was about one year old. He took advantage of the educational facilities of Wentworth, and after completing the course in the common school, he took advanced work at Corinth Academy. He then took up the profes- sion of a surveyor at the age of twenty, and fol- lowed that through life. In 1867 he was joined in marriage to Josephine C., daughter of John Pillsbury of Wentworth. She has borne him two children: Mary M., attended Wellesley College and Smith College, and graduated at St. Johns- bury, Vt .; and John P., who was educated at St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Mr. Currier is a member of Moosehillock Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M .; Pemigewasset Chap- ter, No. 13, R. A. M. He belongs to St. Gerard Commandery of K. T .; Raymond Consistory at Nashua. He is a treasurer of the home lodge at present. In politics Mr. Currier is a very loyal and faithful Democrat, and is a leader in his town. He served as selectman fifteen years, and as moderator twenty-one years. He has also been supervisor, and has represented the town in the State Legislature. Mr. Currier is a man greatly esteemed in his community. He pos- sesses force of character, is decided in his opin- ions, and fearless in the expression of that which he believes to be right. He is one of the solid citizens of Wentworth.
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.
EDWARD EMERY, a leading and promi- nent farmer of Monroe, N. Il., is the son of Caleb Emery, and the grandson of Amos Emery, who was born near Concord, N. H., where he was reared and educated. He married Anna Foote, and after rearing a family, came to Mon- roe with his son Caleb in 1804, and lived with him until his death at an advanced age. Two sons and one daughter made up the family.
Caleb Emery was the eldest in his father's family, and was born in 1776, near Concord. He married Eleanor, daughter of Laben Heath of Concord; shortly after his marriage he emigrated from Concord to Lyman (now Monroe), in 1804, bought a farm, and followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life.
Possessing a good common school education, combined with a sound judgment in business affairs, and an earnest desire to aid in the devel- opment of the country, he was a useful and suc- cessful teacher, as well as an ornament in society, and a public-spirited townsman. He was elected town clerk twenty-eight times, and served as selectman for many years. He represented his town in the State Legislature, and was justice of the peace for a period extending over thirty years. He was the acknowledged leader of the town, universally respected and admired; no public enterprise was complete without his assist- ance and co-operation; he was often consulted in matters of private import. He was a prominent member and a most liberal and open-handed sup- porter of the Congregational Church of Barnet, Vt. In politics he was a Whig, and later a Re- publican. He died in 1842. His wife departed this life at the extraordinary age of ninety-seven, in 1878; she was the mother of nine children, as follows: Solomon H .; Horace; Cynthia (Davis); Ann (Blake); Betsey; Edward, the subject of this sketch; George W .; Bestina; and Mary (Berry).
Edward Emery was born in Monroe, Jan. 18, 1818, and acquired his schooling in his native town. He bought the old homestead, built a new house, and made it his home for fifteen years succeeding his marriage. He then bought the farm, consisting of 225 acres, which he now owns and ably conducts in the most approved methods known to agriculture. He has been a successful farmer, and takes a prominent part in town affairs.
He was married, in 1850, to Julia, daughter of David and Jennie (Foss) Pierce of Thornton. They have reared two children. Willie E. mar- ried Maria, daughter of John Lang of Monroe; this union has been blessed by the birth of two boys, Arthur G. and Harry. Edwin C., the younger of our subject's children, married Clara, daughter of Austin Carter. They have one child, Nellie. The family favor the Congrega- tional Church. Our subject, in addition to gen- eral farm work, makes a specialty of dairying. He belongs to Grange No. 49, of Monroe. He is a Republican, and has served as town clerk for twelve years; he has also officiated as selectman for many terms, and is now performing the duties of town clerk and treasurer.
HON. FRANK A. BARNARD, a leading citizen of the town of Thornton, is the son of Hon. Albert Barnard, and grandson of Hon. John Barnard.
Hon. John Barnard was born in Massachusetts and came to Weare when in the years of his early manhood. He made his home in Weare for a time, when he removed to Thornton, and cleared himself a mountain farm, living on the homestead until his death, which occurred at the advanced age of ninety-four years. His wife was Polly Nichols; she finished life's journey at about the same age as her husband. They reared four children: Eliza (Cross); Alvira; Albert; and John L. John Barnard served as a representa- tive of the town in the State Legislature, having been elected on the Democratic ticket.
Hon. Albert Barnard was born in Weare, and with his parents came to Thornton, where he spent his boyhood days in the manner common to all American boys, and obtained his school- ing. He passed a few years when a young man in Illinois, but most of his life was employed in the pursuit of agriculture on the old homestead. He was a Democrat in his political beliefs, and was frequently honored with important offices. He was twice elected to the Legislature, besides serving as selectman, and in other positions at the disposal of his fellow-townsmen. He mar- ried Mary A., daughter of Joseph Wilcomb, and she has borne him the following children: Frank
HON. FRANK D. CURRIER.
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A .; Charles A .; and Clara E. (Merrill). Mr. Barnard is now eighty-six years old, and his life- long partner is sixty-five. They favor the Uni- versalist Church.
Hon. Frank A. Barnard first saw the light of day in Thornton, Nov. 9, 1846. He was edu- cated in his native town, and has spent his life there, engaged in farming. In 1890 he was mar- ried to Amy L., daughter of George W. Hackett of Thornton. Mr. Barnard has always been a firm Democrat. He served as chairman of the board of selectmen for ten successive years. He was a member of the Constitutional Revision Convention. He was elected to the State Legis- lature in 1887, and again in 1895, being in the long session that resulted from the great railroad fight. He is also a justice of the peace. His many years of public service demonstrate the high opinion in which his talents are held. He has well merited the esteem and confidence of his many friends by his meritorious work in vari- ous lines of public service.
HON. FRANK D. CURRIER, the subject of this biography, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is a resident of the town of Canaan, and one of Grafton Co.'s leading attor- neys, with a practice that has extended over twenty years. He is a man of many superior attainments that have secured him a wide repu- tation throughout the State; for many years he has been prominent in politics, and has served in many official positions, rich in honor and emolument. He was born in Canaan, Oct. 30, 1853. He is a son of Horace S. and Emma (Plastridge) Currier, grandson of Nathaniel and Rebecca V. (Pratt) Currier, and a great-grand- son of Daniel and Mary (Smith) Currier.
Daniel Currier, who was a son of William Cur- rier, was descended from the Newburyport fam- ily of Curriers, and was one of the very first set- tlers of the town of Plymouth, N. H., where the family has since been represented among the leading citizens. He reared the following family of children: Abigail, Nathaniel, Moses, Daniel, William, Samuel, and Mary.
Nathaniel Currier was born in Plymouth Oct. 6, 1791, and about the year 1810 came to Canaan and settled on Canaan Street, and suc-
ceeded Ebenezer Clark in his manufacture of woolen cloth; he was in this business many years and became the owner of large tracts of land. In 1824 he built a store and conducted it with good patronage from his neighbors for a considerable length of time; he also built the house, now occu- pied by Mrs. F. Currier. He was shrewd in busi- ness and far-sighted as to the results the future might bring; he thoroughly believed in the ad- vantages of a good education, and sent all of his children either to the academy or to college. He was a Whig, and later a Republican, and served in the Legislature, and in other offices at the disposal of his fellow-townsmen. He died at the age of seventy-three, and his wife was over seventy at her death. Their children were: William P., Horace S., Nathan S., George C., Franklin, Oliver P., George K., Henry W., Eliza- beth, Elizabeth P., and Henry K. W.
Horace S. Currier, our subject's father, was born in the town of Canaan; his introduction to business life and methods was as a clerk in his father's store, which was then run under the name of Currier & Wallace. In 1849 he opened a large general store where the Cardigan House is now located, and did the largest business of any firm in this section of the town. In 1853 he sold and retired from mercantile life, although thereafter he dealt extensively in real estate and loaned money. He was stricken down with lung fever at the age of forty-eight, and died June 17, 1866. He was prominent and well thought of in the town, and served as county treasurer, town treasurer, and as representative to the State Leg- islature. His wife, who was a daughter of Dr. Caleb Plastridge, died in 1889, at the age of sixty-three. There were born to our subject's parents the following children: Jennie L., who married M. J. Pratt; Frank D., the subject of this sketch: William D., who has been very success- ful in life, and owns mines in the west, having been formerly a large sheep raiser and ranch owner; he lives in Spokane, Washington; Maud M., who resides in San Francisco, Cal .; and Charles W., who died at the age of twenty-six.
Hon. Frank D. Currier attended the Concord High School, and Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. H., finishing with a special private course given him by Dr. Hickson of Lowell, Mass. He then began the study of law with Messrs. Pike and Blodgett of Franklin, and con-
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cluded it with G. W. Murray of Canaan; he was admitted to the bar of New Hampshire in 1874, at Plymouth, N. H., and after traveling extensively through the west and the Pacific States, especially California, he opened up an office for practice in Canaan, in 1876. Besides building up a lucrative practice, in a short time by his superior work in his profession, and acquiring a well-earned reputation as a learned and able legal adviser, he became interested in politics. Even gifted as he is as an eloquent and convincing speaker, his rapid and continuous advancement in public life has been remarkable and fairly indicates the high esteem in which he is held by the people at large. In 1878-79 he was elected as representative to the Legislature. In 1882 he was appointed secretary of the Republi- can State Committee, and retained his place through the campaigns of 1882-84-86-88. He was Clerk of the Senate in 1883 and 1885, and was chosen a delegate to the National Conven- tion of 1884 at Chicago. In the same year he was chosen Senator from his district by a large majority, and when he took his seat in the Sen- ate was elected President of that body. In 1890 he was appointed by President Harrison Naval Officer of the Customs for the District of Boston and Charlestown, Mass., and served in that ca- pacity four years. Since 1888 he has devoted at least one month each year to stumping the State in behalf of the Republican party, and has been moderator of Canaan since 1884. Being ad- mitted to the bar shortly after he was twenty- one, his whole subsequent life has been a very busy and useful one, both in his chosen profes- sion of law and also in the service of the people. His personal appearance on the platform when delivering a speech is prepossessing, and is with- out a doubt a valuable adjunct to his able and convincing arguments. In every way a gentle- man, he never condescends to ribaldry or coarse remarks, but is courteous to both friend and foe.
Mr. Currier married on the 31st of May, 1890, Mrs. Adaline (Sargent) Rollins, and in the same year built one of the finest residences in his sec- tion of the county for the reception of his bride. He is a member of the Social Lodge, F. & A. M .; St. Andrews Chapter, R. A. M .; and Sullivan Consistory. Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Mt. Cardigan Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
ALONZO F. BARTLETT, a retired farmer of Warren, N. H., is the son of Ephraim Bart- lett, and grandson of James Bartlett, who spent most of his life engaged in hunting and trapping. His home was at Unity, N. H., except the last few years that he spent at Whitefield, N. H., where he died about the age of eighty-three. He married and reared a family of eight children: Alphie, Charles, Frederick, Ephraim, Caroline, Sally, Helen, and Eliza.
Ephraim Bartlett was born in Unity, N. H., where he was educated and grew up to manhood. He served as a soldier in what was called the Indian Stream War; he held the rank of captain. He was commonly known after that as Capt. Bartlett. He was a farmer by occupation. The greater part of his active years were spent in Whitefield, N. H .; his declining years, however, were spent in Manchester, N. H., dying there at the age of seventy-nine. He married Vienna Martin, who lived to the age of seventy-six, and bore her husband six children: Nancy (Bartlett) of Stoneham, Mass .; Alonzo F., our subject; Oscar F. of Manchester; Maria (Eames) of Woodsville, N. H .; Eliza (Adams) of Manches- ter; and Helen (Hart) of North Adams, Mass. They supported the Free Will Baptist Church. Mr. Bartlett was a firm Republican in politics .-
Alonzo F. Bartlett was born in Whitefield, N. H., Aug. 3, 1839. He obtained his schooling in the schools of Whitefield, Littleton, and Haver- hill, N. H. Agriculture was his chosen vocation, but before he had done much in the way of farm- ing, the war broke out. He thereupon enlisted in Co. G., Ioth Vt. Vol. Inf., in 1862, and was with the Army of the Potomac until the close of the war, being honorably discharged in May, 1865. His brother Oscar served through the war in the same company.
Upon his return from the war hie settled in Bath, N. H., where he remained, engaged in farming for thirteen years, when he sold his property there and came to Warren, where he has made his home ever since. He was married in 1873 to Luvia C., daughter of Miranda Whitcher of Boston, Mass. This union has been blessed with the following children: Alice M. married Charles Head of Warren, and they have one son, George: Charles C .; Homer E.
Mr. Bartlett is a member of the George Bowers Post, No. 81, G. A. R., of Warren. He
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, GRAFTON COUNTY.
is a member of Kane Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M., of Lisbon, N. H. He is a Democrat, and is serv- ing as one of the selectmen of the town. He is also town moderator, an office he has held for ten successive years. He was a supervisor for six years ; police officer of the village ten years; and deputy county sheriff two years. He has been justice of the peace the past fifteen years, and has received his fourth commission for another term of five years. Mr. Bartlett is very popular, and has won golden opinions of all his townsmen by his conduct and his integrity when in office.
JEREMIAH S. JEWETT, a retired merchant of Warren, N. H., is the son of Smith Jewett, and the grandson of Samuel Jewett. Samuel Jewett, with his brother, came from Hollis, N. H., to Laconia, N. H., in the summer of 1877, and by felling the native trees began to clear a farm, re- turning to Hollis the following winter. The next season they went back to Laconia, and settled on a farm on the east side of the river, where he reared a family and spent the remainder of his days. Samuel Jewett owned a large farm along the river that was very suitable for milling pur- poses, and for a small sum sold the mill privi- lege, but stipulated in the agreement that a saw and grist-mill must be built on the property. This was done for the benefit of the community, as the milling before that was done at a distance, making it very inconvenient for the residents of that neighborhood.
Previous to his settling in Laconia Samuel Jewett served four months in the Revolutionary War. He was one of the soldiers that held the British at bay for so long a time at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He married Appahia Smith, a native of Laconia. She passed away in 1835, aged eighty. Mr. Jewett departed this life at the age of eighty-eight, in 1838. They were the parents of ten children: Sarah, Philbrook, Abaphiah, Polly, Ruth, Louis, Smith, Samuel, Jr., Jolın, and Hannalı.
Smith Jewett was born in Laconia, in 1793, and remained under the parental roof until of age, when he worked out for a few years. Hc finally located, in 1822, on a farm near the Bel-
knap County Farm, and lived there until after the death of his parents, when the homestead was divided between the three sons. In 1841 he built a group of farm buildings on his portion, and lived there until his death. He married Statirah, daughter of Benjamin Glines of North- field, N. H., who was a Revolutionary soldier,. and died while engaged in the War of 1812. Statirah Glines (Jewett) was born in 1799, and died in 1877. She bore Mr. Jewett ten children: Jeremiah S .; Statirah (Cook); Edith (Jewett); Adaline (Hoyt); John G .: Samuel B .; James W .; Mary (Davis); Ellen; and Henry. Their prefer- ence religiously was toward the Congregational Church. Mr. Jewett was a Republican; he was a voracious reader, and very well posted in poli- tical affairs. Personally he was modest and un- assuming, preferring to live in honorable retire- ment. He died in 1868.
Jeremiah S. Jewett was born in Mededith, N. H., Nov. 25, 1822. He received his education in the public schools and the academy of his native town. When he came of age he began to sup- port himself. His first employment was as an assistant in the survey of the railroad; at the age of twenty-two he went west to Illinois and Wis- consin for a few months. Upon his return, in the spring of 1845, he secured work in the survey of the Montreal R. R., and drove the first stake in the construction of the railroad that started from Concord. N. HI. He followed railroad en- gineering for about three years. In November, 1848, he went to Lakeport and helped finish the railroad buildings, and began work in the Lake- port shops, where he worked until the fall of 1863. He then came to Warren, purchased an interest in a store, and followed the mercantile business until 1888; since then his farm has claimed his care and attention.
In 1852 he was joined in marriage to Harriet M., daughter of Joseph B. and Betsey (Merrill) Farnum of Warren, N. TT. She was born in Warren, and made that town her home during her early years. They were married in Warren. They had one son, Martin Wilbur, who was born in 1855, at Lakeport, N. H. At the time of his death he was pursuing a classical course in Til- ton Seminary, contemplating entering college when sufficiently prepared. He died Dec. 7, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett adopted Nellie V. Campbell at the age of nine, and reared her as
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