Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, Part 32

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 > Part 32

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Thomas Spaulding, a native of New Ipswich, Mass., married Hannah Brown, of Concord, about 1800. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first church erected in Hancock, Hillsborough county. He moved to Dub- lin, from Hancock, and from there to Sullivan. He reared a family of ten children-seven sons and three daughters. Only one his children, Ashley, is- living. He was born January 21, 1805, and lived upon the home farm sixty- six years. He married, for his first wife, Clarissa Keith, who bore him two children, and for his second wife, Sallie Davis, who bore him three children. He moved to Keene in 1869, and located upon the farm where he now lives, on road 28.

Artemas Bailey was born in Lunenburg, Mass., January 17, 1800, and mar- ried Clarissa Billings. He was a book-binder, and carried on that business in his native place for several years. He moved with his family to Keene, in 1830, and worked at the same business here for several years. He had three children, two of whom, Lizzie A. and Adaline S., live in Keene. He died November 7, 1865, and his widow died February 2, 1873.

Ralph J. Holt, son of David, was born in Alstead, September 29, 1812. He taught schools winters and was engaged in farming during the summers. He married Sallie A. Towne, in 1844, and has three children. He moved to Keene in 1846, and was engaged in farming until 1848. He was then elected constable and policeman, holding the latter position for thirty years. In 1854 he was appointed deputy sheriff, which office he held until 1866, when he was elected sheriff, holding that position for several years, and was again appointed to the office of deputy sheriff, which he still retains.

Dr. John F. Jennison was born at Walpole, in August, 1813, was educated in the public schools and at Cavendish academy, and studied medicine with

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Dr. Davis, in Norwich, Vt. He graduated at Norwich academy in 1838, and from Dartmouth college in 1842. He commenced practice in Swanzey, N. H., the same year, but moved to Keene in 1852. He married Elizabeth Ross, and died December 15, 1884. The widow still resides in Keene.

Dr. Eben Carpenter was born in Coventry, Conn., in 1780, married Judith Green, and reared a family of nine children. He located in Alstead, N. H., where he had a large practice. His only surviving son, George H., is a phy- sician, and resides in Cleveland, O.

Dr. Algernon Sidney Carpenter, son of Dr. Eber and Judith (Greene) Carpenter, was born in Alstead, N. H., October 16, 1814, and was descended from a family pre-eminently distinguished by the large number of skillful phy- sicians it produced. He was educated in the common schools of his native town, and at Middlebury Medical college, from which he received the degree of M. D., in June, 1837. While acquiring his education he taught school in various places, and was, for a short time, in a store at Chesterfield. With the exception of a few years spent in Gardner and Northfield, Mass., his entire professional life of forty-eight years was passed in Keene. He stood in the front rank in his profession, and enjoyed a success which was unsurpassed by any practioner in this part of New Hampshire. He was an honor to a pro- fession which he reverently believed reflected high honors upon its members ; and during his long, intelligent and conscientious practice, he gained, in an eminent degree, the respect and confidence of those who were the recipients of his indefatigable, ministrations. He was peculiarly sensitive to any viola- tion of the conventional rules of medical etiquette, and was severe in his con- demnation of charlatanism. He felt a deep interest in all that pertained to the welfare of Keene, and was prominent in its social life. He was a con- spicuous member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, and held offi- cial rank in many Masonic societies ; but at the time of his death, which oc- curred March 4, 1885, was not in affiliation with them. He was a studious and thoughtful man, well known for the strength and positiveness of his views upon all subjects, especially religion and politics. In theology he was a rationalist, but not of the econoclastic school. His religious convictions were the result of reason and scientific research. He had a deep reverence for truth and sincerity, but was equally abhorrent of what he conceived to be error and hypocrisy. He was unusually familiar with Bible literature, and had memorized many favorite scripture passages. Like all liberal thinkers, he em- phasized the spirit more than the letter. In politics he was an ardent Demo- crat of the old school ; believing in the States' rights doctrine, and what he regarded the "strict construction of the constitution." His active brain made him fond of literature. He was a fluent speaker and a clear and terse writer.

November 30, 1859, Dr. Carpenter was married in the Unitarian church at Keene, to Miss Jennie F. Coolidge, daughter of Hon. Henry and Calista (Pond) Coolidge, of Keene. They had two daughters, Miss Mary and Miss Carrie, who, with their mother, survive him.

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Barton Skinner was born in Westmoreland, N. H., December 19, 1801, and was the seventh of a family of nine children, only one of whom was a girl, and only two of whom survive, aged respectively eighty-two and seventy-eight years. They were a family of remarkable longevity. Barton, who was the first to die, reached the age of sixty-three years, and this age was exceeded by all who have since deceased. Their parents, Timothy and Ruth Warner Skinner, removed from Brookfield, Mass., in 1793 or '94. The nine children were : Warren, born June 2, 1791 ; Cynthia, born September 10, 1792; Alanson, born May 21, 1794 ; Avery, born June 9, 1796 ; Hiram, born June 9, 1798 ; Dolphus, born May 18, 1800 ; Barton born December 19, 1801 ; John L., born February 11, 1803 ; and Albert G., born June 28, 1807. The first two were born in Brookfield. Mass .; the rest in Westmoreland, N. H. Warren and Dolphus were clergymen, the former residing at Proctorsville, Vt., and the latter for fifty years in and adjacent to Utica, N. Y., where he died October 2, 1869, having earned a wide reputation as editor of the Evangelical Magazine. Cynthia married Hiram Walker, of Mexico, N. Y., where she died February 27: 1872. She was a woman of remarkable powers and purity of character, and was a successful teacher for many years. Mexico was also the home of Avery and Hiram, the former of whom settled there in 1822. He was appointed postmaster there by John Q. Adams, and held the office till his death in 1876. He was a life-long Demo- crat, and was always influential in the councils of his party. He was county treasurer for sixteen years ; was elected to the assembly in 1831 and re-elected in 1832 ; was senator from his district from 1838 to 1842; and held other responsible positions. Hiram, although attacked at the early age of fourteen with a nervous disease which.destroyed the sight of one eye and rendered him a cripple for the rest of his life, filled the offices of postmaster and justice of the peace, and reared a family of six children. He died October 10, 1865. Alanson settled in Brownville, N. Y., in 1815, and ever after made that his home. He engaged in manufacturing and amassed quite a fortune. He was noted for his industry and integrity, and was faithful to every trust. He was supervisor of his town for twelve years, and represented his district in the State senate in 1850. He died June 7, 1876.

Barton Skinner was universally respected and beloved, his sterling honesty, liberality and fine social qualities endearing him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. The winters of his early manhood were spent in teach- ing, and the summers in laboring upon the home farm, which he soon pur- chased. He was appointed justice of the peace in early life and was fre- quently chosen referee in cases of dispute among his neighbors in his own and adjoining towns. In 1846 he was elected registrar of deeds for Cheshire county and removed to Keene. He held the office until 1852, when, declin- ing a re-election, he moved to Chesterfield, where he gave his attention to the manufacture of auger bits. Later he purchased the cotton-mill and de- voted himself to that business until the commencement of the civil war in

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1861. In Chesterfield he will be remembered as an earnest Republican, up- right and conscientious in all his methods, but intensely interested in the great questions which then pressed for a solution. He was always an advo- cate of freedom, and the first negroes his children saw were fugitives from slavery who found a welcome retreat at his home until, under cover of dark- ness, they could make their way to other friends on the route to Canada. He was also an earnest advocate of temperance and delivered lectures in its sup- port when but few voices were raised against the evil of strong drink. Al- ways interested in the cause of education, he served many years as superin- tending committee both in Keene and Chesterfield, and in the latter town he- was usually chosen moderator at the annual town meetings. He served sev- eral terms in the state legislature, representing in that capacity at different times his native town of Westmoreland and Chesterfield. In 1863 he removed. to Keene, where he died February 11, 1865. Thus ended a life,

" Faithful in love, in honor stern and chaste ;

In friendship warm and true, in danger brave ; Beloved in life, and sainted in the grave."

Barton Skinner was married June 24, 1835, to Betsey, daughter of Captain Aaron Weeks of Westmoreland, by whom he had three children : Mary Eliza- beth, born August 13, 1836 ; Azro, born February 14, 1839; and Samuel Weeks, born September 3, 1840, all of whom are living. Mary E. was for a number of years a successful teacher, but impaired health compelled her to relinquish this vocation, much to her regret. She was married in 1875 to Maurice B. Beckwith, who was called from Brown university to the position of teacher in the royal schools of Honolulu, Hawaii, where she still resides. Azro B. was for a number of years previous to the war a teacher in the schools of Chesterfield, Keene and Winchester. During the war he worked two years in the armory at Springfield, after which he was engaged in life insur- ance business in New York city ; but on the death of his father in 1865, he returned to Keene, where for the past seventeen years he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits as manager and one of the proprietors of the Museum, a store well known through all this region. Samuel W. has been engaged in mechanical pursuits during all his active life, beginning in the cld cotton-mill at Chesterfield, from which he went to the armory at Springfield, Mass., where be remained until called to take charge of a department in a gun manufac- tory in New York city. He subsequently engaged in the same business with E. Remington Sons, of Ilion, N. Y., where he has resided most of the time for the past twenty years and where he still makes his home.

Captain Horace Truman Hanks Pierce, son of Ezekiel Porter Pierce and Susanna Porter, was born at Chesterfield, New Hampshire, February 22, 1822. He was brought up on the homestead farm, and enjoyed such scholastic advantages as the common school and academy in Chesterfield afforded. He also pursued a partial course at Nor- wich University, Vt., which, in addition to the usual collegiate and scientific

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courses of study, imparted instruction in military tactics. Being naturally of a military turn of mind, he gave considerable attention to this branch of study while in the university, and in after years turned his martial acquire- ments to good advantage. After leaving the university he was for a time a mechanic and manufacturer. Later he became a brick-layer, and followed that vocation, residing with his family in Keene, till the outbreak of the Re- bellion, when he was among the first to offer his services in defense of the Union, under the first call for three months volunteers. He raised a com- pany and served with credit as its lieutenant in the 2d N. H. Vols. Infantry. At the expiration of his three months' service he at once raised a company of three years' men in Keene, and was commissioned its captain, the organiza- tion becoming Co. F, of the 5th N. H. Vols. He served through the Pe- ninsular campaign in the spring and summer of 1862; was in command of his company in the memorable battle of Antietam and in the pursuit of the enemy on their retreat to Fredericksburg, soon after which he was honorably discharged for physical disability. He was an intrepid and resolute officer, discharging his duties with dignity and honor, and was beloved by his men. On his return from the war he resumed his occupation of brick-layer in Keene, and followed it with characteristic energy till his health and strength failed. On the 12th of June, 1850, Captain Pierce was married in the tavern of his father to Miss Sophia E. Dickinson, daughter of Erastus Dickinson, of Hinsdale, N. H. She bore him three children, viz. Julia L., born March 17, 1851 ; William E., born in 1853; and Frank D., born November 15, 1855. He died at Keene January 7, 1877.

Samuel O. Gates, son of Joel, was born at Hancock, August 5, 1827. and came to Keene in 1851, where he was engaged in mercantile business and in the manufacture of boots and shoes for fifteen years. He has been se- lectman, city marshall four years, deputy sheriff fifteen years, and still holds the latter position. He was chief of police in 1881, and represented Keene in the legislature in 1864-65. He married Sarah A. Randall, of Keene, June 29, 1854. She died September 14, 1877.

Hon. Samuel W. Hale, son of Samuel and Saloma (Whitney) Hale, was born in Fitchburg, Mass., April 2, 1823. In 1859 he came to Keene and be- gan in a small way the manufacture of chairs, a business which, under his skillful management, grew to large proportions. He has also been extensively engaged in other manufactures, and in railroad enterprises, and interested in farming and banking enterprises. In 1850, at the age of twenty-seven, he married Amelia M. Hayes, of Dublin, who has borne him two children, Will- iam S. and Mary Louise, the former being now connected in business with his father. Mr. Hale has been a member of the Republican party since its organization, and in 1866 was elected to the state legislature. He was a member of the governor's council in 1869, and was re-elected in 1870; was selected, in 1880, as one of the delegates to the National Republican conven- tion, at Chicago, and on the 12th of September, 1882, was made governor of

Truly your John Symonds

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New Hampshire, an office he has just vacated in favor of Governor Currier, his successor. While Mr. Hale is very reticent concerning such matters, it is well known that he has been instrumental in educating a Congregational cler- gyman, a missionary, a physician, and a young lady, the latter at Holyoke seminary, in addition to which he gave $12,000.00 towards buildinga Con- gregational church in Keene.

Joseph B. Abbott, son of Daniel, was born in Surry, August 11, 1835. His grandfather, Daniel Abbott, settled in Surry, in 17-, was a tailor, married Lucy Harvey, of Surry, in 1794, and reared four children. He went to aid in suppressing the outbreak near Lake Champlain in 1812, and was never heard from again. His son Daniel was a farmer, and was often called upon to do town business. Joseph B. fitted for college at Keene, went to Illinois, where he taught school, and then to Newburn, N. C., where he taught school about four years. After the war broke out he went to Washington, where he had charge of the Special Relief branch of the United States sanitary con- mission, and in 1868 he settled in Richmond, N. H., engaging in the manu- facture of lumber. He has held various town trusts, including town repre- sentative in 1876, and was chosen county commissioner in 1874, which posi- tion he held three years. In 1877 he was appointed, by President Hayes, agent to the Ute tribe of Indians in Colorado, and resided at Los Pinos agency a little over a year, when he resigned and came to Winchester. He was soon after appointed to fill a vacancy in the board of commissioners, was elected to serve in 1882, and again in 1884. He married Lydia C. Martin, of Richmond, N. H., September 1, 1859, and has one son and one daughter, Leon M. and Florence S. The former is a graduate of the Keene high school. Mr. Abbott became a resident of Keene in 1880.

Ira French Prouty, M. D., son of Willard and Sally Prouty, of Langdon, N. H., was born November 9, 1812, and came to Keene in 1863. After leaving the district school he attended the academies of Bellows Falls and Chester, Vt. He studied medicine with Dr. Lowell, of Chester, and later with Dr. Lawrence, of Saxton's River. He attended lectures at Wood- stock and Dartmouth medical schools, graduating from the latter in May 1837. He immediately went to Illinois, where he practiced his profession about a year. Leaving the West, he came to Chesterfield Factory, and was afterward located in Alstead and Stoddard, N. H. In 1855 he removed to Ogdensburg, N. Y., and engaged in the wholesale drug business. For a short time previous to his advent in Keene he was practicing medicine in Chateau- gay, N. Y. He was a member of the board of education from its organiza- tion in 1867 until 1875, and for several years was superintending committee of the suburban schools. He was a member of the legislature in 1872-73, and during the latter term was instrumental in procuring from the state an appropriation in aid of Dartmouth college. In 1877-78 he was a member of board of the aldermen from the third ward. In February, 1839, Dr. Prouty was married in Alstead to Emily F. Babcock, who died in October, 1849. 18*

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In January, 1855, he married Elsie, only daughter of Dea. Luke and Lydia Joslin, of Stoddard. He died January 17, 1882, leaving a wife, son and daughter, who still survive him.

Ira J. Prouty, M. D., only son of Dr. Ira F. Prouty, was born in Ogdens- burg, N. Y., August 15, 1857. He was educated in the public schools of Keene, graduating from the High school in 1875. He continued his studies in Keene until 1878, when he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he pursued a special course in analytical chemistry. In 1879 he entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, where he remained three years, graduating in March, 1882, in which year he commenced the practice of medicine in Keene. In 1883 he was elected a member of the board of education. In July, 1882, he was married to Etta M., eldest daughter of John Humphrey, of Keene.

Daniel Fisher, whose father was one of the first settlers of Hinsdale, N. H., was born in that town in 1770. He married Betsey Wheeler, and reared a family of twelve children. He was a farmer and lived upon the homsetead, located about two miles north of Hinsdale village. Charles, son of Daniel, was born at Hinsdale in 1800, married Sarah Thomas, and settled near his father. He died April 6, 1847, and his widow died in 1867, aged sixty-four years. His daughter, Sarah J., married Benjamin Whitcomb, of Swanzey. Rodney C., son of Charles, is a farmer and slater, and lives in Northfield, Mass. John B., son of Charles, was born in Hinsdale July 11, 1832, married Lucretia O. Higgins, of Hins- dale, and has three children. He moved to Keene in 1867, and was engaged in the furniture business for ten years. He was deputy sheriff three years, and has been justice of the peace twenty years. He is now engaged in the boot and shoe business in this town. Previous to coming here he was a farmer seven years, and engaged in the mercantile business four years in the town of Hinsdale.

Dr. Gardner C. Hill was born in Winchester, N. H., March 20, 1829, and was educated in the public schools of his native town, and the academies of Chesterfield, Swanzey and Saxton's River, Vt., graduating from the latter in- stitution. He taught school six years, the last year as principal of the " old high school" at Winchester. He commenced the study of medicine with the late L. L. M. Comings, M. D., of Swanzey. He entered the Castleton Medi- cal college, Vt., in 1853, and graduated with the class of 1856. He com- menced the practice of medicine in Warwick, Mass., where he remained ten years, serving nine years on the board of education. He was then in the Medical department of Harvard college, Boston, Mass. In June, 1867, he removed to Keene, where he has since remained in practice. He has served six years as a member of the board of education, and three years as superin- tendent of schools. He represented the fourth ward in the common coun- cil two years, the last year serving as president of that body. He was also .city physician, health commissioner for three years, county commissioner two-

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years, and county treasurer. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Connecticut River Valley Medical Society. He is married to Rebecca F. Howard, of Walpole, N. H., and has two children, William H. and Rebie E.

John Symonds was born in Hancock, N. H., May 18, 1816, and spent his boyhood in that town. In 1836 he commenced work as an apprentice with Elijah Reed, at his tannery in Hancock, and was employed there and at other places till 1841, when he began the tanning business himself, at South Antrim. But before his tannery was well under way it was destroyed by fire. He lost everything and was left $500.00 in debt. He then went to Salem, where he worked at his trade for a time. In 1848 he removed to Marlow, N. H., when he again established himself in business, and soon built up a thriving industry, which added much to the wealth and prosperity of the town. He was frequently chosen to positions of trust, having been selectman and tax collector of the town, a deputy sheriff of the county and county commis- sioner while residing in Marlow. In 1859 he purchased the Wilson tannery in East Sullivan, which he kept in active operation for thirteen years. He held public positions here, and during the war accumulated a handsome property. In 1872 he came to Keene, purchased the Nims farm in West Keene, and with A. M. Bigelow & Co., extensive tanners of Boston, built the Cheshire tannery, the most extensive one in the state, in such manner as Mr. Symonds's experience taught him was most convenient. It has a capacity of 1,800 sides a week, consumes 2,500 cords of bark a year, and gives employment to from thirty to forty men. The business has done much to build up the west part of the town. Mr. Symonds also built a handsome residence near the tan- nery, and resided there till his death, which occurred March 28, 1885. He was an active, enterprising and successful business man, and a generous and public spirited citizen. He was active and successful in his efforts to secure the erection of a handsome new school-house in district No. 10, one of the best district school buildings in the state, and when completed he donated a bell for its use. Mr. Symonds was a staunch Republican, but refused public honors in Keene, except in one instance, when he represented his ward in the legislature. He was buried with Masonic honors by the Knights of Hugh de Payens Commandery, of which he was a member, and was the recipient of many touching testimonials of affection and esteem from his townsmen and employees. About the time Mr. Symonds first engaged in business for him- self he was married to Caroline E. Robbins, of Nelson, whom he leaves a widow without children.

Daniel O'Brien came to America, from Ireland, in 1839. Six of his ten children are living, as follows: Nancy, Ellen, Caroline, Michael, Daniel, and Thomas. Mr. O'Brien died March 16, 1884, and his wife, Mary, died March II, 1880.

C. F. Rowell, born in Goshen, N. H., came to Keene in 1851, and worked as a carriage painter, in the employ of French Bros., twenty-one years. He

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traversed the entire state of New Hampshire as correspondent for the New Hampshire Patriot, at which occupation he spent three years. He was sta- tion agent for Connecticut River & Ashuelot R. R., from June 1877, until June 1884, and since then has been agent for the recovery of lost freight on the Cheshire R. R. He was sergeant-at-arms of the New Hampshire house, under J. A. Weston, and has been twice Democratic candidate for state treas. urer. He was a member of the Keene board of education for six years. He married Evaline Dodge, in 1855, and has two daughters, Jennie M. and Nellie T.

George H. Nims, son of Frederick Nims, of Sullivan, was born in that town, April 19, 1840, and became largely engaged in the wood and lumber business there. In 1868 he and his brothers, Marshall W. and Francis O., became engaged in the market business in Keene, under the firm name of Nims Brothers. He continued in this until 1874, when he retired, and has since been engaged in the wood and lumber business, now owning 900 acres of timber-land within a few miles of Keene. He has been a Democrat in politics, and, although his ward is strongly Republican, he has been chosen to many offices of trust. He married Ruthie M. Hale, of Rindge, May 17, 1866, and has one daughter, Carrie M.

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Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, Part 32

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office
Number of Pages: 1034