USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 > Part 31
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He was the second postmaster in Keene, in 1799. He was a prominent mason and an active member of Rising Sun Lodge, of Keene. In the public notice of the death of Washington in Keene, Dr. Adams and John Pray Blake were marshals of the day. While he was much interested in public af- fairs, he was also fond of social life and anecdote. His ability to sing and perform on the flute and violin, added much to his social attraction. Possessing a kind and generous heart he ever listened to the story of sorrow and wrong. Never was his door closed to the homeless and afflicted. His generous impulses were nobly supplemented by the ready and constant aid cheerfully afforded him by his beloved wife. Her quiet and graceful manners enhanced her personal attractions, and her interest and zeal in her husband's pursuits were untiring. Both were inured to sacrifice and economy.
Dr. Adams was a steadfast friend, a lover of justice, and his integrity was unquestioned. He won confidence and esteem and was often consulted in business outside of his own profession. His sympathy and kindness towards dumb animals is worthy of note to-day when so much is legally done for their protection. To lessen the burden of his horse he was often seen toiling up the heavy stony hill by its side; and in driving, it seemed a trivial thing to alight from his vehicle to defend the willing brute from repeated stings of some tormenting fly. He was fond of hunting, and often for recreation from constant duty, much of which was performed in the saddle, he would take gun and dog for sport-then not far from home. He was fond of a practical joke, and it is related that he once eluded a sheriff's party sent in pursuit of him by the indignant inhabitants of Walpole to avenge the theft of a cannon, and by his intimate knowledge of the topography of the country lured them into a bog, in which they found it difficult to secure a firm foot-hold. His health gave way many months previous to his death, when he left a wife and only son to mourn his departure.
Dr. Charles G. Adams was born in Keene, N. H., March 7, 1793. He
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was educated at Dartmouth college, from which he was graduated in 1810. Though one of the youngest of his class his proficiency is highly spoken of by his associates. After leaving college he attended for a year or more the law school at Litchfield, Conn. He entered as a student the office of Samuel Prescott of Keene, in compliance with the wishes of his father, who sought to spare his only child a life like his of toil and exposure in the medical profes- sion. But young Adams, believing that a more active life would better pre- serve his health, left the study of law for that of medicine. He completed his studies at the Harvard Medical school, from which he received his de- gree. He was soon after appointed demonstrator of anatomy in the school of medicine there. He was subsequently tendered a professorship in the medical school at Pittsfield, also in that of Dartmouth, but he resolved to de- vote his time and energies to the practice of the profession of his choice, and attained an eminence surpassed by few if any in this part of the state. He scorned pretension and quackery, and his intercourse with his patients was characterized more by a conviction of duty and tender solicitude than the de- sire for reputation. His talents, his blameless moral character, his unobtru- sive, gentlemanly and dignified manner, gained for him the respect of all. Says a contemporary : "He was cautious rather than ardent, well-balanced and self-collected, and always so guarded in opinion and language, that, while he was ever ready to do justice to the claims of others, his was the tem- per never ruffled, and his the lips never deformed by slander or invectives." Like his father, he possessed much of the old-school hospitality. He was re- plete with wit and anecdote, and liberal in his views. His professional duties prevented him from engaging in public affairs.
In November, 1821, he married Mary Ann King, of Boston, Mass., by whom he had thirteen children, eight of whom preceded him in his death. Much of his happiness was found in his home. His devoted wife, even though surrounded by her own heavy cares, never failed to interest herself in her husband's affairs, and cheerfully extended a kindly welcome to all who came within their doors. They bowed with resignation ard submission when death snatched ruthlessly away both bud and blossom from their happy home. Great was their sorrow when their eldest son-a youth of fourteen and of great promise-a member of the freshman class in Dartmouth col- lege, died at Hanover. Then after an interval the eldest, a young woman, beautiful both in mind and body, and deservedly idolized, was taken. In one year this affliction was followed by the death of Charles G. Adams, Jr., a phy- sician in full practice in Patterson, N. J., only twenty-five years of age. He graduated at Yale college, where he won several prizes for Latin composition and received his degree. He studied medicine with his father and graduated at the Harvard Medical school. He was house surgeon one year at the Mass- achusetts general hospital, where he creditably performed the duties that position devolved on him.
Broken in spirits, by their heavy sorrows, Dr. Adams's constitution, which
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was never robust, gave way. He still continued his practice, allowing him- self little rest, until the winter of 1855, when he was prostrated with rheu- matic fever, of which he died April 9, 1856. His widow died March 29, 1885. His surviving children are four daughters and a son-John G. Adams, of inherited literary tastes, a graduate of Dartmouth college, where he received his diploma. He studied medicine after the death of his father, but circumstances led him to adopt the profession of teaching, in which he has achieved success. Mrs. Lemuel Hayward resides on the homestead in Keene ; Mrs. R. S. Perkins and Miss Eliza Adams, on the same street ; and Mrs. G. F. Hurd, with her children, Mary A. Adams Hurd, John and S. Per- kins Hurd, in Boston, Mass.
Solomon Woodward came to this town, from Milbury, Mass., in 1797 and settled upon the farm now owned by his son Daniel. The latter resides here and is eighty-five years of age.
Frederick Metcalf was born in Keene, June 11, 1769. He married Esther Dwinell and reared a family of eleven children-five sons and six daughters. Four of these, Alvah E., Edwin G., William and Mary E., are living and re- side in Keene. Mr. Metcalf died September 16, 1849. His wife died Feb- ruary 27, 1847. Mary E. married Arba Kidder and is now a widow. Alvah E. was born October 30, 1813, married Harriet Willis, of Alstead, and has had six children, only two of whom are living. Of these, Alice married C. H. Clark, and Hattie M. resides at home. Alvah E. Metcalf was engaged in the manufacture of pails at South Keene for twenty years and has carried on the lumber business and painting for many years.
Adin Holbrook, who served in the Revolutionary war and was at the battle of Bennington, was born in Wrentham, Mass., March 22, 1752. He came to Keene about 1777, built a saw mill in the western part of the town, and about 1780 settled upon the farm now owned by his grandson, W. H. Holbrook, on road 6. He married Hannah Day, reared five children-two sons and three daughters-and died in 1843. He and his son Adin. Jr., built an oil- mill on this farm. Enos, the second son of Adin, was also a noted millwright and was born on the homestead. He married Mary Kendall, of Athol, Mass., who bore him four children, two of whom are living, Mary A. and W. H. His wife died in 1867, and his death occurred in 1876. The house now standing upon the farm was built by Adin, Jr, in 1806.
James and Samuel Thompson came from Londonderry, Mass., and settled within the limits of the present town of Holden, Mass., in 1718. They were Scotch Irish, and both died in 1755. Thomas, son of Samuel, married and settled in Royalston, Mass., in 1769. His wife died and he married again, about 1782, and soon after came to Keene, residing just south of the chair- factory. He reared a family of eight children, six sons,-Thomas, Isaac, Aaron, Daniel, John and Luther,-and two daughters. His son Daniel bought the " Statia farm " about 1823, where he spent the remainder of his life. His children are Mrs. Daniel Ellis, Mrs. Albert E. Nıms, and Daniel P. Thomp-
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son, of Keene, Mrs. George W. Ellis, of Swanzey, Benjamin F., of Springfield, Mass., William H., of Geneva, Ia., and Mrs. Roland Brewer, of Hartford, Conn.
Rev. David Darling came to this town, from Wrentham, Mass., about 1785, was a Congregational minister, and settled upon the place where his son Daniel now resides, on road 6. He built the house now occupied by the latter, about a hundred years ago. He reared a family of sixteen children, and died in March. 1836. Daniel, the only child now living, was born on the home farm May 15, 1807, and has always resided here.
David Baker, son of Thomas, was born in Keene in 1796, married Amanda H. Ellis, and reared a family of eight children. He located upon a farm on road 3, and lived there until his death, in 1868. His widow still resides on the farm.
Benjamin Nourse came to this town, from Rutland, Mass., in 1790, and located upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Luther Nourse, on road 17. He reared a family of ten children,-six sons and four daughters. He died here in 1840, aged ninety-six years, and his wife, whose age was ninety- three years, was buried on the same day. His son, Phineas, who was born in Rutland, Mass., December 25, 1775, came here with his father in 1790. He married Anna Thompson, of Keene, and had born to him twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, Eleven grew to maturity and four of them are now living, as follows : Alden P. who lives in Kansas, Joseph F., Luther and Mary, who reside on the old farm.
Abijah Wilder, son of Andrew, was born November 28, 1750, and came to Keene, from Lancaster, Mass. He was a noted mechanic and a deacon in the Congregational church for thirty-four years. He died January 8, 1835. Azel, the youngest of six children, was a manufacturer of spinning-wheels, married Elvira, daughter of John and Sarah (Eastman) Warner, and reared a familf of ten children, only two of whom are living. Elvira, eldest daughter of Azel, married Edward Poole, who died in 1847, and has one son, George Edward, a noted fancy wood-turner, residing in Keene. Elvira P., widow of Edward Poole, is also a resident of Keene.
Nathaniel Kingsbury settled in the northern part of this town at an early day. He married four times. His son Abijah married Abigail, daughter of deacon Abijah Wilder. Josiah, one of his eleven children, married Eloise, daughter of Zadock and Sarah (Black) Taft, and resides in Keene. William Black, grandfather of Mrs. Josiah Kingsbury, was a pensioner of the Revo- lution, and the latter has some of the continental money which was paid to him.
Henry Coolidge was born in Massachusetts, July 14, 1787, and married Calista Pond, who was born September 18, 1791. He came to Keene when quite young, and clerked in Foster's store at Ash Swamp, for a time. He was clerk of the court of common pleas for many years. He was very highly respected, and was often consulted on legal points, although not a lawyer.
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He was a surveyor, and did a great deal of that business. He died March 20, 1843. Only one of his six children is living, Jane F., who married Dr. A. S. Carpenter, and resides in Keene.
Nathan Wood, son of Joshua, who was one of the early settlers of Keene, was born here May 31, 1800. He was a blacksmith and farmer, married Lo- rinda Ruggles, of Rutland, Vt., and had born to him four children, as fol- lows : Susan E., widow of Hon. J. J. Allen, Jr., lives in town ; Nathan, died December 4, 1861 ; Julia R. W., widow of Levi Porter ; and Sarah L., both in Keene.
Joseph Perry was born in Westminster, Vt., May 30, 1788. His father, Silas Perry, married Catharine Hale (both natives of Massachusetts), in 1783. Silas served in the Revolutionary war, and, in 1800, moved with his family to Keene, locating upon a farm on road 4. Joseph prepared for college in the preparatory schools, and graduated from Dartmouth in 1811. He was then appointed preceptor of the academy connected with this college, where he re- mained until November, 1816. He then went to New York city and engaged in the business of a private classical and mathematical teacher, for which he had special qualifications. He remained there until 1832, when he received an appointment at Washington, as a clerk in the fourth auditor's office. He soon became promoted to a principal clerkship in the Postoffice Department, which he retained until his resignation, in 1841. He then retired to his farm in Keene, spending his time in literary occupations and with his farm. He was the first school commissioner appointed by the State executive, Samuel Dinsmore, in Cheshire county, in 1850-'51. Having been much enlisted in the course of common school education, he was qualified for the task of a pioneer in the first rank of educational institutions. Mr. Perry married Lydia, daughter of General Absalom Peters, of Wentworth, N. H., and had born to him two sons, Joseph G. and John R. He died on his farm January 17, 1865, from an attack of lung fever, and his widow died July 25, 1871. The younger of the two sons, John R., received a common school education, is now a mechanic, and resides in San Francisco, Cal. Joseph G. was educated chiefly at the academy. He spent some time in Illinois in business life, and was appointed to a clerkship at Washington, during the presidential term of Franklin Pierce. He is the author of a standard work on government, which has a wide circulation, both in this country and in Europe. He now resides on the home farm.
Philemon Wright, a soldier of the war of 1812, married Abigail Bigelow, and reared six children. He came to Keene, from Worcester, Mass., in 1833, and remained here until his death, in 1862. His daughter Mary married Will- iam Rand, who served two years in the late war. Their three children are, Abbie S., who married John W. Patch, and resides in Boston ; Fannie M. and Mary I., who live at home.
Francis Augustus Faulkner, second son of Francis Faulkner and Eliza Ste- vens, was born in the homestead, on West street, in Keene, February 12
Barton Shimmer
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1825. He early showed a decided inclination for books and study, and after attending the public schools and old Keene academy, he, in 1841, went to Philip Exeter academy to finish his preparation for college. He graduated from Harvard university in the class of 1846, standing high in that class, which numbered such able men as Hon. George F. Hoar, Prof. F. J. Child, Prof. George M. Lane and Dr. Calvin Ellis. The common-place books which he kept while at Exeter and Cambridge, in which he preserved such quotations and extracts as he judged would be useful in the future, and his letters and essays during these years show that, at that early age, he had made choice of the legal profession and was systematically fitting himself to enter it. During the year 1847 he studied law with Hon, Phinehas Handerson, at Keene, and the following year was spent by him at the Harvard Law school. He was admitted to the Cheshire bar in September, 1849, and immediately formed a partnership with Hon. William P. Wheeler, under the firm name of Wheeler & Faulkner. For nearly thirty years this firm enjoyed a remarkably extensive and successful practice, being engaged in nearly every case of importance tried in the county. From that time until his death his life presented an almost unexampled record of labor and success. Blessed with a finely or- ganized brain and robust health, to which was united an ardent love for his profession, he accomplished an amount of labor which was the wonder and admiration of his associates at the bar and in the courts. While associated with Mr. Wheeler, who was acknowledged to be the leading advocate at the Cheshire bar, and among the first in the state. Mr. Faulkner preferred to take the part for which he was peculiarly fitted, that of office work and preparing cases for argument and trial on questions of fact and law. He was always fully ready, no matter how difficult or intricate the case. His papers were models of neatness, brevity, skill and learning, and his vigorous and able briefs and written arguments were always of weight with the court. To his sound judgment, quick perception, and fidelity to a client's cause, much of the reputation enjoyed by the firm of Wheeler & Faulkner was due, and after Mr. Wheeler's death, when obliged to appear as an advocate, it was seen that he possessed more than ordinary powers as a jury lawyer. Clear and concise in expression, always earnest and forcible, never descending to any trick or attempting to appeal to any prejudice or passion, he forced a jury to arrive at his conclusions by following him step by step through an argument which was irresistably logical and could lead to no other result. But his temperament and cast of mind were more judicial than controversial, and had he found it compatible with other interests to have accepted a position on the bench, which was twice tendered him, his sound learning and previous training at the bar would have rendered him a valuable member of the court. Although devoted to his chosen profession he found time to identify himself with nearly all the material interests of his town and county, and held many offices of responsibility and trust. He was county solicitor for five years ; representative to the general court in 1851, 1852, 1859 and 1860 ; a commis-
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sioner of enrollment during the Rebellion ; a member of the constitutional convention of 1876 ; served as moderator twenty-four times successively, from 1857 to 1874 ; and in the latter year, upon the formation of the city govern- ment, was alderman from ward 4. In politics he was a staunch and consist- ent Republican, and a leader in his party. To his' sagacity and firmness, especially during the Rebellion, the party owed much. At the time of his death he was president of the Cheshire Provident Institution, and a director in the Cheshire and Ashuelot national banks. But more than all these he was a generous, public spirited citizen, and an able and judicious advisor of all who sought his counsel, whether in their public or private affairs. In 1849 he married Caroline, daughter of Hon. Phinehas Handerson. They had seven children, of whom three sons and their mother survived him at his death, which occurred at his residence in Keene, May 29, 1879.
Benjamin Bowker, a native of Scituate, Mass., served in the Revolution- ary war, was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and died in his native place, aged sixty-eight years. His son Elisha married Sarah Spear, of Quincy, Mass. Pierpont F., one of the five children born to them, married Mary Ann, daughter of Elijah and Ruth (Stoddard) Randall, has three children, and resides in Keene.
Hezekiah Munsell, who was at the battle of Bunker Hill, married Irene Byssell, and reared eleven children. Elisha, his seventh son, served in the war of 1812, married twice, first, Polly Hurd, second, Lucy C. Sibley, and had born to him twelve children. Six are now living, and his widow resides in Keene.
Ira C. Clark, son of Josiah, who was a soldier of the Revolution, married Bethiah Rider, and reared four children, only one of whom, Lucinda C., is living. She married George F. Shedd, of Vergennes, Vt., who died Febru- ary, 4, 1854. The daughter, Hattie N., lives in Keene, and the son, George F., resides in Knowlton, N. H.
Horace M. Irish enlisted in Co. L, Ist Vt. Cav., was at the battles of Cedar Creek, Winchester and Fisher's Hill, was twice taken prisoner, and was honorbly discharged at the close of the war. He married Eliza A. Dort, has two children, and resides in Keene.
John A. Thayer came to Keene from Winchester, N. H., in 1866, opened a jewelry store, and continued as one of the leading jewelers here until his death, November 12, 1881, at the age of sixty three years. His widow, Fannie A. Thayer, still resides in Keene.
Lockhart Willard, Esq., a native of Keene, served in the Revolution, and was a prominent lawyer here. He married a Miss Reed, and reared four chil- dren. Lockhart, Jr., married Sally, daughter of Phineas and Annie (Thomp- son) Nourse. Three of his seven children are living. One of these, William L., married Lucretia, daughter of Israel and Tabitha (Wheelock) Marsh, of Keene, and has one son living, Lucius T. The latter who served in the late
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war as quartermaster's clerk, in Co. G, 14th N. H. Vols., married Netta J. French, and resides at Jersey City, N. J.
W. A. Barrett, son of Luther, was born in Stoddard, came to Keene in 1856, and worked that season for H. Pond & Co., at the brick-making busi- ness. He became a partner in the firm in 1857, and with the exception of three years he has been a member of the firm under various titles, until he engaged in the business alone in 1882. He served three years in the war for the Union, in Co. G, 14th N. H. Vols. He has been selectman of Keene, married Maria Fradenburg, October 23, 1850, and has a family of three sons and three daughters.
Archibald Robertson, born in Scotland, in 1708, emigrated to America in 1754, with his wife, Elizabeth, and children. He came to Chesterfield, and December 14, 1775, he was chosen to represent Chesterfield and Hinsdale in the provincial congress, that was to assemble at Exeter, the twenty-first of that same month, being the first person ever chosen by the town for such a purpose. James, son of Archibald, came to Chesterfield in 1762, married twice, first, Sarah Bancroft, and second, Mrs. Mary Snow. Ebenezer, one of his large family of children, was born July 7, 1787, married Phila, daughter of Samuel Walker. Noyes, the third child of Ebenezer, was born Novem- ber 4, 1818, married for his first wife Evaline M., daughter of David Day, and had born to him one son, Edgar, who died at Springfield, Ill., Novem- ber 13, 1879. He married for his second wife Helen M. Cobb, who bore him two children, Gertrude E., and Cadmen D., both now living in Keene. Mr. Robertson now resides in this town. His wife died July 14, 1883.
Augustus M. Rice was a soldier in the Rebellion, serving first in the Ist Mass. Cav., second in Co. I, 92d N. Y. Vols., third in Co. F, Mass. H. A., and fourth in Co. C, 53d Mass. Vols. He was honorably discharged after having been in the army four years and three months. He married Mrs. Julia Foss, daughter of Timothy and Hannah Ellis, of Keene, and now re- sides in this town.
Jeremiah Pratt, a native of Massachusetts, was an early settler in Win- chester, N. H., married Sarah, daughter of Robert Newton, and reared seven children. Jeremiah, Jr., married Lucy, daughter of William and Lucy Rich- ford, and had born to him nine children, five of whom are living. Robert W., the youngest son of Jeremiah, Jr., married Ruby W., daughter of Jacob and Ruby (Prindall) Moody, of Northfield, Mass., and resides in Keene, on Washington street. Their children are Mrs. Hattie E. Parks, Mrs. Abbie A. Conan, and Charles R.
Ebenezer Bigelow, a native of Winchendon, Mass., moved to Weathers- field, Vt., married Sally Wales, and reared nine children, five of whom are now living. His son Enos married Emily B., daughter of Amos and Lucre- tia (Buffum) Bennett, has three children, Charles, Marion, and Frederick, and resides in Keene. The father of Mrs. Sally Bigelow served as a captain in the Revolutionary war, and thereafter drew a pension.
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Charles Wyman, a native of Keene, married Mary Ann Ellis, and had born to him four children. Henry, second son of Charles, married Ellen M., daughter of Jesse and Lucinda Grimes, of Keene, and has two children, Frank and Charles. He now resides in this town at No. 3 Grant street. Emily Grimes, sister of Mrs. Henry J. Wyman, married James Wright, who- died September 18, 1863, aged forty-five years. 'She now resides in Keene at No. 3 Grant street. Captain Isaac Wyman was in the Revolutionary war, at the battle of Bunker Hill. and was captain of a company from Keene at the age of nineteen years.
Hugh Mason, a native of Watertown, Mass., moved to Marlboro, in 1794, was a pensioner of the Revolution, married for his first wife, Elizabeth Clark, who bore him eleven children. He married for his second wife, Lydia Moore, who bore him one child. Clark, son of Hugh, married twice, first, Eunice Adams, who bore him four children, and second, Almira Towne, and had born to him eleven children. His son William Clark Mason married Susan W., daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Warren Page, of Marlboro, has one son living, and resides in Keene. Charles Page served in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of Portsmouth.
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