USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 > Part 33
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Leonard Wellington was born September 12, 1842. He received an aca- demic education, and attended Albany law school, from which he graduated in 1865. He was admitted, that same year, to the Cheshire county bar, and formed a partnership with Dan H. Woodward, which continued until 1877, since which time he has practiced alone. He married Harriet L. Chandler, of Connecticut, in 1870, and has two children.
Thomas H. Leaverett, son of Thomas, was born in Windsor, Vt., Febru- , ary 12, 1806, attended Captain Partridge's Military school, and came to Keene in 1836. He married twice, first, Harriet B. Nelson, who bore him one daughter, Sarah D., who is the wife of Reuben A. Tuthid, and resides in Bos- ton. He married for his second wife, Abbey Barnes, of Marlboro, and had born to him one daughter, Kate F., who resides in New York city. Mr. Leav- erette was cashier of the Ashuelot National bank, of Keene, from 1836 to 1869. He was quite a noted farmer, and died November 22, 1882. His widow still resides in Keene.
Farnum F. Lane, son of Ezekiel, was born in Swanzey, March 15; 1816, He studied law in Keene, with Thomas M. Edwards, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. He married Harriet E. Butler, of Winchester, and has had born to him three children, two of whom are living, Helen L. and Emily B. The latter resides at home, and Helen L. married Gustavus Luke, and resides in Sherbrook, P. Q. Mr. Lane represented the town of Walpole in the legis- lature, in 1847-'48, and represented Keene in 1861-'62. He located in this town in 1849, and has since resided here. He is the oldest law practitioner in Cheshire county, and was county solicitor ten years.
Dr. George B. Twitchell, son of Timothy, was born at Petersburg, Va., in
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1820, studied medicine with his uncle, Amos Twitchell, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1843. He entered the army in 1862, as surgeon of the 13th N. H. Vols., and was promoted that same year to brig- adier-surgeon of the 3d Brigade. In April, 1863, he received the appoint- ment of surgeon of N. S. V., by President Lincoln. He resigned in the autumn of 1863, on account of sickness, and has since practiced medicine in Keene. He married Susan E., daughter of Gideon F. Thayer, of Boston, has five children, and is one of the leading physicians of this county.
Amos B. Tenney was born in New Salem, Mass., May 25, 1815, and at the age of fourteen years came to Marlboro and lived with his uncle, William Tenney, until twenty-one years of age. He married Relief L. McCollister, who was born in Marlboro, October 23, 1823. Mr. Tenney was superintend- ent of a pail shop in Marlboro several years, and in 1863 moved to Law- rence, N. Y., and carried on the pail and butter-tub business for nine years. He came to Keene in 1872. He has only one child, Oliver S., who resides here, a milk dealer.
Hon. John J. Allen, Jr., was born at Fitzwilliam, N. H., March 12, 1818, and received his education at the common schools. He was a teacher many years, represented the town of Fitzwilliam in the legislature four years, and two years in the state senate. He married twice, first, Sarah E. Horton, of Gilsum, who bore him one child, Agnes, who died when young. He married for his second wife, Susan E. Wood, of Keene. Mr Allen was editor of the New Hampshire Sentinel a short time, and was also editor of the Clinton Courant, of Clinton, Mass. He was register of deeds from 1863 to 1883, and died June 20, 1884. His widow still resides in Keene.
Rev. Horace Wood was born in Orange, N. H., March 1, 1810, and at the age of eight years moved with his father to East Alstead, N. H. He attended school at Meriden academy, and studied theology at Gilmington, N. H. In 1840 he was ordained as a Congregational minister and has thus been in the ministry thirty-six years. He married twice, first, Mehitable Gale, of Gilming- ton, who died in 1847, and second, Sara A. Green, of Biddeford, Me. They have lived in Keene since 1881. Mr. Wood preached at Gilsum nine years.
John Holbrook, son of John, was born in Uxbridge, Mass., August, 17, 1788. He married Mercy Hill, came to Swanzey in 1802, and located in the southern part of the town on the farm now owned by Israel Gun. He was a carpenter and wheelwright, and died in 1838. Five of his ten children are living, two of them, Sophia, widow of Carlistine Blake, and Daniel H., residing in Keene. The latter was born at Swanzey January 8, 1806. He received a common school education, and was engaged as a farmer and manufacturer of and dealer in lumber until his removal to Keene in 1865. Here he followed the lumber business two or three years, when he retired from active business. Mr. Holbrook has, up to a late date, taken an active interestin the Keene Water Works, and from the time of his serving on the first committee in 1868, has held the office of commissioner, superintendent or kindred position,
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and even for the past two years, since he retired therefrom, his advice and coun- sel has been almost constantly brought into requisition. Mr. Holbrook married, September 5, 1837, Caroline Lawrence, daughter of Josiah and Sophia (Law- rence) Prime, of Swanzey, who died December 5, 1880. The fruit of this mar- riage was four children,-Ellen Sophia, Chloe Prime, John Josiah and Frances Victoria,-only two of whom, Chloe Prime and Frances Victoria (Mrs. David Nichols), are living. Both the maternal and paternal grandfather of Mr. Holbrook served all through the Revolutionary war.'
John Josiah Holbrook, son of Daniel Hill and Caroline Lawrence (Prime) Holbrook, was born at Swanzey, December 10, 1844, and died at Keene on the afternoon of Monday, March 24, 1844. He was educated at Mt. Cæsar seminary of Swanzey, at the Leland and Gray seminary, of Townshend, Vt., the Keene high school, and then began his preparatory course at New London Literary and Scientific Institution, whence he was graduated in 1865. In 1872 he was graduated from a full course at Brown university, and entered upon a three years' course at Newton, (Mass.), theological institute, graduating in 1875. The succeeding two years he held the position of professor of nat- ural science and mathematics at New London academy. Mr. Holbrook preached occasionally between the years 1868 and 1879, was correspondent for several newspapers, wrote many articles on different subjects ; but in 1879 he gave his attention to civil engineering and surveying, continuing this with great success until his decease. Of him Prof. Eli W. Blake, Jr., of Brown university, spoke as follows : "Mr. Holbrook, while at Brown, was one of my special students, and distinguished himself above all others by his tastes and aptitude for experimental science." He had a fine presence, and was distinguished for his scholarly mind and gentlemanly deportment, and was one well calculated to attract friends and call forth their respect. He was also fond of teaching, and up to the time of his death had a private class. Mr. Holbrook came to Keene with his parents, and made his home'here until his death. He was widely and favorably known as an engineer, and was an act- ive member of the Baptist church.
Hon. James Wilson, Sr., the oldest son of Robert, was born in Peter borough, August 16, 1766. His opportunities for an education were very lim- ited in his native town. He remembered the alarm given at his father's house April 19, 1775, and the great stir among the farmers as they were get- ting their weapons ready to march to the scene of action. He remained at home, working with his parents, until the close of the Revolution. His mother was a lady who appreciated the importance of a good education, and she finally prevailed upon he somewhat reluctant husband to allow their promising son to attend the Phillips academy, Andover, Mass., where he fitted for college. He entered Harvard university in 1785, and graduated in 1789. Among his classmates were Charles Cutts, afterwards a representative in congress, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Thayer and Rev. Dr. John Thornton Kirk- land, afterwards president of the same university. President John Quincy
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Adams was two classes ahead of him and knew him well. Mr. Wilson main- tained an intimate friendship with all these gentlemen. Sixty years after his graduation, when his son James was introduced on the floor of congress, to Ex-President J. Q. Adams, the latter said, " Your father was the best wrestler in college." He was, as Mr. Adams said, the best wrestler, and was a strong, well-developed, muscular young man. He received from Harvard the de- gree of A. M., in course, and Dartmouth conferred the same degree upon him in 1850. Immediately after graduation, he entered the law office of Judge Lincoln, of Worcester, as a student. The death of his father, Decem- ber 25, 1790, called him home. He was united with his mother in the set- tlement of his father's estate. He decided not to return to Worcester, and entered the law office of Judge Smith at Peterborough. Judge Smith was shortly after elected to congress, in 1791, and on leaving congress, settled in Exeter. This left a field for young Wilson in Peterborough ; and he resolved to settle in that town. He was admitted to the bar in 1792, and continued to practice in Peterborough until 1815, when he removed to Keene, and purchased the stately mansion on Main street, which has ever since been known as the "Squire Wilson house." Mr. Wilson was an able lawyer and understood the science of law. He was a man of good judgment, and of a quick, clear perception. He prepared his cases with great care and managed then ably in the courts. As an advocate, he had few if any superiors in the state. He had an extensive practice in both Hillsborough and Cheshire counties, and was usually retained upon one side or the other of almost every case. He also did a large business in the justice courts in both counties. Many young men who afterwards became good lawyers were his students. In Peterborough, he was moderator of the town-meeting for five years, and a representative to the general court most of the time from 1803 to 1815. He was a member of congress from the Hillsborough district from 1809 to 1811. He was a firm believer in the policy of Alexander Hamilton, and was a firm Federalist of the old school. The whole of the New Hampshire delegation in the eleventh congress was of the Federal party ; but all this was changed in the next congress, and Mr. Wilson was not returned. He did not practice his profession after 1823, after his son was admitted to the bar and had suc- ceeded to his business. He was one of the founders of the Unitarian church and society in Keene, when the secession from the old society took place. He ever bore in mind the two grand tenets of his church, "The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man." He observed the precepts of the golden rule, and may be safely judged by the precious fruits of his life. He died January 4, 1839.
Gen. James Wilson, Jr., who inherited not only the practice but the great talents of his honored father, was born in Peterborough, March 18, 1797. His early years were passed in his native town. His educational advantages were such as were obtained in a country town at that time. He had the misfortune to lose his mother at the early age of eight years. In 1807,
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young Wilson was sent to the New Ipswich academy, and in 1808 to the Atkinson academy. In 1813, he attended the Phillips academy, in Exeter, for a part of the year. Our country was at that time involved in the second war with Great Britain. Young Wilson desired very greatly to enlist in the army. He was full of the military spirit and heroism of his Scotch-Irish an- cestry, and longed for active service ; but his father would not consent to it. Chagrined and mortified, he left his academy and went to the North Factory, in Peterborough, and hired himself out as a common hand. He continued to work in the mill until the peace of 1815 was declared. That put an end to the war and, for a time, to the manufacture of cotton at the North Factory. James then went to work on his father's farm; but, when his father removed to Keene, he decided to resume his studies and picked up his books and went back to school. He entered the Middlebury college in 1816, and grad- uated in 1820. He delivered the class oration at the special class exercises near his graduation. James immediately began the study of law with his father, and was admitted to the bar, in Cheshire county, at the fall term, 1823. He succeeded immediately to his father's business in the office and in the courts. At first he practiced in Cheshire, Sullivan, Grafton, and Coos counties, but after his father was stricken with paralysis, in 1836, and re- quired much of his son's attention, he abandoned the northern counties and practiced only in Cheshire. In the military service of his state, Gen. Wilson was deservedly popular. He was appointed captain of the Keene Light Infantry January 1, 1821, and rose through all the various ranks until he was made Ma- jor-General of the Third Division of the N. H. militia. In 1825, he was chosen as one of the two representatives to the general court from the town of Keene. In 1828 he was elected of the house of representatives of the state of New Hampshire. From the year 1825 to the year 1840 inclusive, Gen. Wilson repre- sented Keene in the state legislature, excepting the years 1833, 1838, and 1839. In the last two of the years just named, he was Whig candidate for governor, but was defeated by his Democratic opponent. The year 1840 was a notable year in the history of this county. No political campaign ever exceeded this in interest and excitement. Gen. Wilson remarkably distinguished himself in this exciting struggle, delivering stump speeches in all parts of the country, and contributing largely to the success won by the Whig party. He had been fa- mous as an orator and advocate before, but his rhetorical triumphs, at this time, extended his reputation to all parts of the land. His presence was unusually impressive. He was six feet four inches in height, straight, well-built, with black curling hair and bright blue eyes, as fine a set of white, sound teeth as was ever seen, of a stern and determined, yet fascinating and impressive countenance. He delighted to joke upon his personal appearance, and would describe himself as a "rough hewn block from the Granite State." His. friends spoke of him familiarly as "Long Jim," " Gen. Jim," &c. He had all the qualifications of a first-class orator. He was a logical thinker, and arranged the subject of his thought methodically. He was well read in his-
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tory and the Bible, and was ready with a good illustration to enforce his points. He was a capital story teller, and knew just when and where to tell one. He could laugh or cry at will, and could produce either effect upon his auditors at pleasure. Nor was this done wholly for effect. He was a sincere man. He had fine feelings and instincts and was remarkably hu- mane ; and, whenever he spoke, he was tremendously in earnest. He was no hypocrite. His political principles were based on study, reflection, and sound arguments. He had a powerful voice and could be distinctly heard for many yards in an open field. He had a marvellous command of lan- guage and an inexhaustible fund of wit. He was a keen, shrewd observer and a good reader of human nature ; hence he knew how to adapt himself to his audience. Gen. Harrison enjoyed his victory only a single month. Mr. Tyler, who succeeded to the presidency, offered to Gen. Wilson the office of surveyor-general of public lands in the then territories of Wisconsin and Iowa, which office he accepted and took possession of the office, at Dubuque, Ia. He was removed by President Polk, in 1845. In 1846 the voters of Keene again returned Gen. Wilson to the general court. About that time the " Independent Democrats," uniting with the old line Whigs, defeated the regular Democrats, and Gen. Wilson was elected to the thirtieth congress from the third New Hampshire district. He was re-elected to the thirty- first congress, but resigned his seat September 9, 1850. While in congress, he was busily employed with the proper duties of his office. He made several speeches, one of which, on the condition of the country, in which he openly and freely expressed his views against the institution of slavery, made a pro- found sensation in the house of representatives at the time of the delivery, and is still an eloquent composition, as one reads it in the Congressional Globe.
In Washington, Gen. Wilson was a great favorite in society, and a popular guest at dinners. He was a highly cultivated and accomplished man, whose manner was characterized by all the grace and elegance which could be de- sired, and whose ready wit and fascinating address were sure to be appreciated. He was often seen at the tables of Mr. Webster, Mr. Clay, Mr. Winthrop, the president, and those of the diplomates. The Washington climate did not agree with his health, and he sought the more inviting atmosphere of California. He remained in California eleven years, engaged in law and mining business. He returned East in 1861, in April, just at the breaking out of the Rebellion. His old friend, Abraham Lincoln, offered him a brigadier-general's commis- sion, but he felt compelled to decline the honor, on account of his great age. He had been fond of military service all his life, and had been honored with the highest military distinctions in his native state. He was an admirable soldier, a thorough drill-master, and a good disciplinarian. He did not fail to give the men, under his charge, abundant opportunity for enjoyment, often entertaining them at his own expense (for he was lavish in entertain- ment), nor did he fail to receive it pleasantly if his men perpetrated a
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harmless joke upon himself. The history of the old Keene Light Infantry is an interesting chapter in the annals of that town, and a fund of good anec- dotes respecting the company and its beloved commander is preserved.
The visit of Gen. Wilson to Keene, in 1861, after an absence of more than a decade, was a memorable one. Soon after his arrival, the shot was fired at Sumpter, and the regiments began to be formed ready to march to the conflict. One memorable occasion will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. It was on the twenty-second of April, 1861. A mass meeting was announced to be holden in the public square on the morning of that day. Gen. Wilson accepted an invitation to address the meeting. The knowledge of this fact was conveyed to the adjoining towns. An immense audience assembled, filling the square. It was the General's first public ap- pearance since his arrival. As the hour for the speaking drew near, a band proceeded to the General's residence and escorted his carriage to the grand stand. When the door was opened, and the familiar form of the old hero was seen mounting the rostrum, such a tumultuous applause was heard as was never known in Keene before. Old friends from Keene and the adjoining towns were there in great numbers, representing all occupations and profes- sions. When he began to speak, all voices were hushed. It was the same grand old voice, with its familiar ring, the same telling, forcible gestures, the same oratorical power, with fun and anecdote alternating with the most solemn and pathetic passages, the same earnestness, and the same persuasive and convincing eloquence which so many had heard in former days from the same lips.
He returned once more to California in the autumn of 1862, and re- mained until 1867, when he again returned to Keene to spend the remainder of his days and to die in the town and in the house which he had loved so much.
In 1870 and in 1871, the voters of Keene again returned Gen. Wilson to the general court. He was always interested in education, and especially in young men who were anxious to obtain a liberal education. He aided many young men in their efforts to complete a successful course of study, and watched their progress with great interest. He maintained to the last a firm hold upon the love and affections of the citizens of Keene and Peterborough and the adjoining towns. In the autumn before his death, his many friends, desiring of testifying their love and esteem, procured a fine oil painting of the General, and formally presented it to the city of Keene, November 13, 1879. The presentation address was by Gen. S. G. Griffin. The General was present, and when introduced to the audience, made a graceful speech, in which he feelingly thanked his friends for the honor they had thus conferred upon him.
He was a conscientious, religious man, always attending divine service on the Lord's day when able to do so. He was the last survivor of the twelve who first signed the covenant of the Unitarian church in Keene, when the
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latter society separated from the old Congregational church of the town. He made a study of religious and philosophical subjects, and enjoyed con- verse upon such themes. He was mercifully spared, at the last, a lingering illness. Sunday morning, May 29, 1881, he had risen comparatively well- During the day he complained of feeling ill, and, before the doctor, who had been summoned, arrived, he expired in the arms of his son, and in the presence of his youngest daughter. He was buried Wednesday, June I. The body was early carried to the church, and a large number of persons from Keene and adjoining towns availed themselves of the opportunity of looking for the last time on the face of their old friend.
Daniel W. Biscoe was born at Watertown, Mass., November 17, 1765, was a tanner by occupation, and died at Walpole, N. H., May 16, 1828. Leon- ard, son of Daniel W., was born at Walpole, June 9, 1800, moved to Keene in 1843, where he was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas and the superior court of judicature. He held that office until December 1857. He was also secretary and agent of the Mutual Fire Insurance company. Mr. Biscol married Lucy Ann, daughter of James and Miranda Dodge, who was born at Whitestown, N. Y., January 23, 1832. They were married at Bos- ton, December 23, 1852. Their children are as follows : Esther Milicent, born at Keene, April 3, 1855, is now the wife of Edward Young; Anna, born at Keene July 2, 1857, married Edward Young and died September 24, 1881 ; and Helen Maria, born at Keene, May 7, 1860.
Jacob Hart, son of Daniel, was born at Reading, Mass., January 19, 1776. During his early childhood, his father bought a farm at Groton, Mass., where he moved with his family. Jacob was one of ten brothers who subsequently became enterprising men, and settled in nearly as many different states. He married Rachel, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ferrett) Haynes, who was born at Natick, Mass., February 2, 1786. They were married August 7, 1808. He soon after went to Lunenburg, Mass., where he remained until 1821, when he bought a large farm in the western part of Keene, to which he re- moved. He had born to him eleven children, five of whom died in infancy. The rest are as follows : Nehemiah, Mary A., Betsey H., Rachel M., Jacob and Frances J. Colonel Nehemiah Hart was born at Natick, Mass., Feb- ruary 3, 1810, and married Miranda, daughter of Caleb and Sarah C. (Pierce) Miller, of Charlestown, N. H., August 25, 1881. He has had born to him eight children, all in Keene, as follows: Henry H., born August 14, 1842 ; George J., born August 8, 1844, died December 23, 1867 ; Rosetta M., born August 23, 1846, married Henry M. Staples, June 2, 1868; Francella C., born November 17, 1848, married T. W. Armstrong, October 5, 1881 ; Julia A., born March 14, 1851; Charles S., born February 7, 1854; Nan L., born October 16, 1856; and Hattie S., born August 8, 1859. Mary A., daughter of Jacob, was born in Lunenburg, Mass., January 2, 1815, and married Sher- man Derby, of West Harrisville, December 31, 1852. The latter, son of Samuel and Hannah (Minot) Derby, was born in Littleton, Mass., July 4,
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1808. Of their children, Harriet M., born January 30, 1854, died August 21, 1854 ; and Lizzie M., is a teacher, born March 9, 1857. Betsey H. was born in Lunenburg, Mass., March 12, 1819, was a teacher for some time, and married Dauphin W. Comstock, November 10, 1841. The latter, son of William Comstock, was born in Sullivan, January 3, 1815, and is a carpenter by trade. Of their children, Elizabeth, born in Keene, November, 1842, died August, 1843 ; Mary, born July 1844, died in August, 1844; Everett D., born September 22, 1850; and Charles, born June 18, 1847, died June, 1847. Mrs. Comstock died July 15, 1864, Rachel M. Hart was born in Keene, January 24, 1824, has been a teacher, and married Moses Mason, April 13, 1847. A son of Henry and Lucinda, (Hall) Mason, born at Westmoreland, in October, 1823. He enlisted as a private in Co. I, 9th N. H. Vols., August, 1862, and died of sickness, August 9, 1863. Their only children, Asa H. and Ahar H., twins, died in infancy. Jacob Hart, born in Keene, February 14, 1828, married Sarah R. Cook, in April, 1852, a daughter of John and Roxana Lane Cook, born October 6, 1833. Mr. Hart is a farmer and now resides in Bellows Falls, Vt. He has had three children born to him, Oscar, Orrin and Emma C. Oscar, born October 24, 1853, is a machinist, and married Lizzette Howard, of Bellows Falls, Vt., January 5, 1882. Orrin, born October 31, 1855, is a machinist, and married Clara Guillow, of Gilsum, March 6, 1884. Emma C. was born in Keene, April 7, 1857, and married Wayne T. Gibson, of Chester, Vt., Jan- uary 5, 1876. Frances J. Hart, born in Keene, April 10, 1830, was twice married, first to Ahar E. Howard, in September, 1850, who died July 5, 1858. She married second, Dauphin W. Comstock, her deceased sister's husband, October 4, 1865. They have had three children, only one of whom, Ger- trude H., is living. Mr. Comstock moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1876. His son, Everett D., was admitted to the Michigan bar in the autumn of 1881. While pursuing his law studies, he was clerk of the superior court for two years, which sessions are held in Grand Rapids. At the present time he is circuit court commissioner, for the term of two years.
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