Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 38

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers
Number of Pages: 1266

USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886 > Part 38

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Il Johnson

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TOWN OF ENFIELD.

and wealthy brewer of Boston, Mr. Souther, and exhibited a sample which he carried in a small bag and solicited a trade, giving his price. Mr. Souther quietly said, " Yes, I want your barley, and will take 10,000 bushels." Mr. Johnson concluded the contract and left at once to make the necessary pur- chase to fill it, but was astonished at the magnitude of his trade, and the great amount which he would realize, it being more than he ever expected to be worth. In this trade he was successful, and has had general success in all his business undertakings.

Mr. Johnson was not born rich, and the following incident, which is indel- ibly stamped on his memory, will give some idea of the straitened circum- stances he underwent in his boyhood. At the age of seven or eight years he went to the store, a distance of a mile and a quarter, barefooted, through snow an inch deep, and purchased, with a little money his mother earned by weaving for a neighbor, one pint of molasses, three cents worth of tea, and what flour he could buy for a quarter of a dollar. Contrast this with the following incidents, showing something of the magnitude of his transactions in his manhood. In the presence of his neighbor, Wyman Pattee, in five minutes time he made five thousand dollars in the sale of 50,000 bushels of barley. On another occasion a man from a neighboring town went into the bank at Lebanon and informed James H. Kendrick, the cashier, that Mr. John- son was about to fail. Mr. Kendrick, with characteristic loyalty to Mr. John- son, and entire confidence in his ability, asked him if Mr. Johnson owed him anything. To this he replied "No." "Do you know of any one he does owe ?" he next asked, and again "No." "Well, if he fails," Mr. Kendrick replied, "you certainly will be no loser." This obligation to the bank of $45,000.000 was promptly paid as soon as due.

He purchased and took possession of the Quincy House, of Boston, in 1874, and has been since then its proprietor. His ambition from the first has been to make it one of the best in the city, and to that end he has re-built it from the foundation, occupying all the space of the old Quincy, the cite of the Central Hotel, and several stores, so that now the Quincy House has grown from three stories to seven stories in height. It is now a palatial structure, substantially built of fine granite, and the largest hotel in New England. Mr Johnson has invested in this purchase and the attending improvements a round million dollars.

Mr. Johnson is a sturdy and pronounced Republican, and notwithstanding his great business affairs, takes great interest in the welfare of his native town, of which he continues to be a citizen, and has the confidence of his townsmen " He was elected to the popular branch of the legislature in 1860, re-elected in 1865 and in 1866, and again in 1875. Was railroad commissioner in 1878 and 1879, and State senator in 1876 and 1877, and was Greenback candi. date for Congress in the third district, in 1878. Mr. Johnson loves and cherishes his native village, and the old home where he was born. The little "red house on the hill," which he still owns intact as it was in his boyhood,

17*

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allowing nothing to be changed in appearance, and when re-painted the same red hue is reproduced. His modern, convenient and more pretentious resi- dence stands near by.

Mr. Johnson owes his great success in life to no fortunate aid or accidental and favorable circumstances. He started poor, and all he has he has earned. What he is, he has made himself. Possessed of a strong and comprehensive mind and much physical power, he stops for no discouraging impediments. His indomitable persistence and energy will not allow him to repose in ease. He will choose to wear out rather than rust in idleness. What he attempts he expects to accomplish.

On December 20, 1846, Mr. Johnson married Susan Smith, daughter of Rev. Uriah Smith. of Barnard, Vt. Their children are Ella H., who married William W. Hill, a hotel-keeper, and now resides in Concord ; Carrie E., whose husband is Dr. Otis Marrion, a successful practicing physician, resides in Allston, Mass .; Belle F., whose husband, Otis Fellows, is a grain merchant of Boston ; and Miss Helen S. Johnson, who resides with her parents.

Samuel Jackman came to this town, from Massachusetts, with his wife, at a very early day, and settled upon George hill, where his grandson, James G. Jackman, now resides. He married Ruth Woodrage, and had born to him three children. He built a log cabin, in which he lived several years. In clearing his land, like many others of his time, he burned the timber and saved the ashes, from which he made potash to pay the taxes and buy provis- ions. He finally built a more commodious dwelling, which is now well pre- served, and known as Elm cottage, and is opened every season for summer boarders, by James G. Jackman. Samuel, Jr., married and settled in Enfield and was the father of three sons, only one of whom is living. Samuel, Jr., finally removed to Claremont, where he died, aged seventy years. William, second son of Samuel, Sr., married and settled on the homestead. His four children are as follows: William C., who resides in Iowa, and has three chil- dren ; James G., who resides on the homestead, married Lorietta A. Child, of Pomfret, Vt., and has five children, they being the fourth generation who have lived on the homestead ; Lucy A. (Mrs. Fifield) resides in Ando- ver, N. H. ; and Samuel H., a graduate from Dartmouth college, is a teacher in California.

Phineas Gage, a native of Massachusetts, came to Enfield about 1796, and settled in the eastern part of the town, where John Dresser now lives. He was the father of twelve children, three of whom are living, but not in this town. His son Calvin located as a farmer on the old place, but finally removed to, a farm about a mile and a half from the homestead. He died here: June 17, 1876. He had born to him three children, Hiram, Lucy (Mrs. John H. Morse), and Julius, two of. whom are living. They are Hiram, who resides on road io, and Lucy (Mrs. Morse), who resides at Enfield Center.

Timothy Day was born at Cape Ann, Mass., about 1760, came to Enfield

Birthplace of J. W. Johnson, Enfield.

Photo Electrolypeking COMEX

Summer Residence of J. W. Johnson, Enfield,

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about 1790, and married Judith Webster, of Chester, N. H. He served in the Revolutionary war, and died here aged eighty-seven years. Mrs. Day, widow of John, and daughter-in-law of Timothy, at the age of ninety-four years, lives with her son Lorenzo. The latter was captain of Co. F, 125th C. T., entering the service August 28, 1862, and was mustered out in Decem- ber, 1867. His commission was received from General Thomas. Mr. Day is proprietor of the Day Dawn House, for summer boarders, from whence, on High street, the view of lake and mountain scenery is very fine.

David Day, son of Timothy, was a native of this town, and reared a fam- ily of six children, three sons and three daughters.

Nathaniel Purmort located in this town at an early day. and reared a family of five children. His son Hiram was a native of this town, and had born to him two sons, Nathaniel and Minor T. The former died March 20, 1864. Minor T. married Hannah C., daughter of David Day. and resides on road 36.

Richard Currier came from Southampton, Mass., to Enfield, and settled on Shaker hill. He lived here until a few years before his death, when he re- moved to Manchester, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. James, son of Richard, was a farmer, and a native of this town. He was a pilot on the Connecticut river for twenty years. He died here in March, 1873. L. W., son of James, is a native of this town, and has held the office of super- visor two years, and represented the town from 1883 to 1885.

Daniel Heath, of English descent, was one of the first settlers on George hill. He located in the wilderness, in a log cabin, where he remained until 1804, when he built a frame dwelling, and lived here till his death. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, where he served seven years. He mar- ried Sarah March, of Newburyport, N. H., and had born to him nine chil- dren, as follows : Jonathan, who has amassed a large fortune, and resides in Boston ; Daniel and Eben went to New York, where they died ; David, Hol- land and Ichabod settled in Enfield, as farmers ; Lydia and Sarah married farm- ers and settled in Vermont; and Dorset, the youngest son, who succeeded his father on the homestead, was born in 1800 and died in 1872. Mr. Heath's second wife bore him two daughters, who died young. He also sur- vived his third wife, and died in 1827, aged seventy-two years. The home- stead farm, after being in the possession of the family for three generations, has passed into other hands.

Wyman Pattee, son of James, grandson of Daniel, and great-grandson of Capt. Asa Pattee, the pioneer of Canaan, was born in Canaan in August, 1826. Reared on the farm of his father, and early disciplined to hard, physi- cal toil, he developed the brain, muscle and blood-power to work the brain machine which gives the country-bred boy a decided advantage, ordinarily, over his city-bred rivals. And to-day, by dint of perseverance, industry and well conceived and comprehensive plans successfully executed, this farmer's son ranks among the successful busines men of Grafton county. Mr. Pattee received his education in the common schools of his district and in Canaan

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Union academy. In 1848 he went into trade and the lumber business, in his native town, where he continued until 1859. In 1855 and 1856 he rep- resented Canaan in the legislature, being the colleague of Hon. Jonathan Kittridge, and the youngest member of the house. In 1859 he removed to Enfield, where he now resides. He is now and has been for the past twenty- two years an extensive manufacturer and dealer and shipper of grain, flour and feed. In his adopted town he is not without honors. In 1860 he was appointed by the Governor and Counsel to the office of sheriff of Grafton county, which position he resigned about four years after. In 1875 and 1876, by the suffrages of his appreciating townsmen, he was sent to represent them in the legislature ; was treasurer thirteen consecutive years, and has presided as moderator at the town meetings a long series of years. On account of his business experience and ability, his aid has been sought by several cor- porations, and he is serving as an auditor of the Northern railroad, which important position he has held the last fifteen years ; is a director of the Peterboro & Hillsboro railroad, a director of the Mascoma Fire Insurance company, and at the organization of the National Bank of White River Junction, February 6, 1886, was elected a director thereof. His business transactions have given him an extensive circle of acquaintances. In his town his influence is great, and his liberality is equal to his financial abilities. In politics he is a Republican ; in religion, decidedly liberal, a regular at- tendant of the Universalist church, and a liberal supporter of all its financial affairs. In 1857 he married Mary Jane Burley, and their children are James W. Pattee, who is now engaged in business with his father, and John H. Pat- tee, a student preparing for college at Goddard Seminary, in Barre, Vt.

David L. Davis, son of David L. and Alma (Smith) Davis, was born in Hanover, May 3, 1822, and raised on his father's farm, in his native town. He came to Enfield in 1847, and was clerk for A. & G. W. Conant for the next three years, in the general merchandise business. He then formed a partnership with A. Conant, in the manufacture of Shaker flannels and cassi- meres, under the firm name of Shaker Mills Co. About 1854 they added to their business the manufacture of the celebrated Shaker socks, the first made in the country. This continued until 1860, when Mr. Davis retired from the firm, and during the ensuing five years he was in the lumber trade, and dealt in wool. In 1865 he entered the present firm of Dodge, Davis & Co., and re-entered the Shaker mills. In December, 1884, they removed their manu- factory to Bristol, and are still manufacturing Shaker flannels, with five sets of machinery. Mr. Davis represented his town in the legislature in 1881 and 1882, and was chairman of the board of selectmen in 1875. He declined re-election. In 1857 he married Miss Lizzie R. Peabody, of Lebanon. Aside from his manufacturing, he has been engaged in farming and fattening cattle since 1875, and by judicious management and the use of a silo (the first built in his town) he produces, from twenty-three acres, all the food for fifty head of cattle, and in addition, raises and sells to the Shakers, medicinal roots to

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the value of from $200.00 to $300.00 annually. His grandfather, Bazaliel Davis, and maternal grandfather, John Smith, were both donors to Dartmouth college at its organization.

John W. Dodge was born in Hanover, September 4, 1815, and was the youngest of the family of ten children of Daniel and Sally (Wright) Dodge. Mrs. Dodge was a daughter of Deacon John Wright, a pioneer, who emi- grated from Lebanon, Conn., and came to Hanover to assist in the location of Dartmouth college. Mr. Dodge was raised on his father's farm, and at the age of seventeen years assumed its management on account of his father's ill health, and finally became its owner, continuing a tiller of its soil until he was thirty-two years of age. When about thirty-five years of age, associated with others, he opened a country store, which was continued until about 1865, and after about two years' service with Mr. Alpheus Conant, manufacturer of Shaker flannels, at Enfield, he became one of the firm of Dodge, Davis & Williams, successors of Mr. Conant. In 1873 Mr. Williams retired from the firm, and the present firm of Dodge, Davis & Co. was formed. This firm consists of Mr. Dodge, David L. Davis and Henry C. Whipple, son of Mrs. Dodge, by her former husband, David C. Whipple. In 1883 this firm bought the Holden mills, in Bristol, containing two sets of woolen machinery. Mr. Dodge gave to this enterprise his personal attention, and from May, 1883, up to November, 1884, he put extensive repairs in the Holden mills, built an entire new mill seventy-two feet long, fifty-two feet wide, and three stories high, a store-house, dye-house, and picker-house. In March, 1885, they removed their machinery from Enfield to these mills, where all of their man- ufacturing business is now done. Mr. Dodge is a Democrat, and was elected to the legislature in 1878, and returned again in 1879 and 1880. In social and religious views Mr. Dodge is among the most liberal, an attendant of the Universalist church, and a liberal contributor for its support. July 1, 1855, Mr. Dodge married Mrs. Clemantine Whipple, daughter of Henry H. Chandler, of Hanover, who was then mother of two children, Henry C. Whipple. before mentioned, and Margaret P., wife of A. R. Brewer, of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge had born to them, April 30, 1859, a daughter, Fannie L., who was recently married

Rev. Uriah Smith entered the ministry of the Baptist church, and preached in the churches of Woodstock, Barnard, and other places. In 1836 he removed to Enfield, where he made a permanent home. Being very generous in his views, he concluded that the doctrine of everlasting punishment was untenable, and finally believed and preached the final restoration of the whole human family. He continued in the ministry over forty years, and gave his voice and influence to all the reforms of his day, and labored to place his people on a higher plane, in mor Is, religion, and general intelligence. In 1839 he gave the first temperance address, and organized the first temperance society in Enfield. The friends of temperance celebrated its anniversary, August 9th, for many years. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years,

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honored and beloved by a large circle of acquaintances. His children now living are Mrs. Catharine Cox, of Barnard, Vt .; Elias Smith, and Miss Me- linda Smith, members of the society of Shakers; Mrs. Amanda Snow, of Mound City, Minn .; and Susan A. (Mrs. J. W. Johnson), of the Quincy House, Boston, Mass.

Nathaniel Howe, born in Hopkinton, N. H., married Elizabeth Fitz, of South Hampton, N. H., in 1800, and immediately after moved to Enfield and located upon the place where his son Nathaniel now resides. His farm consisted of only forty acres and was but partially cleared. He however added to it from time to time. He was the father of six children, three now living, only one of whom, Nathaniel, resides in this town. The latter settled on the homestead which now contains 165 acres. He married twice. first, Mary Jane Choate, who bore him two children, Eliza J. and Sarah P., and died August, 1850; and second, in Septem- ber, 1851, Susan E. Sargent, who was the mother of one child, who died in infancy. Eliza J. (Mrs. David Noyes), resides on the homestead, and Sarah B. (Mrs. B. C. Leach), lives in this town.

Matthew Bryant was born here about 1800, was a farmer, and lived in the northeastern part of the town till 1855, when he moved to Enfield Center. He had born to him five children, viz .: George H., James F., Betsey H., Amos M. and Matthew, Jr., all living, excepting Betsey H. and Matthew, Jr. Mr. Bryant was selectman several years, and also held the office of county commissioner for several years. He died in 1866, aged sixty-six years. His son James F. is postmaster and general merchant, represented the town in 1856-57, held the office of town clerk twenty years, and is a justice of the peace for the State, which office he has held twenty-nine years.

Gideon Morse moved to Canaan, from Haverhill, Mass., about 1795, and in 1803, to Enfield. He married Hannah Johnson, and had born to him two sons and two daughters. One son, Edward, died at the age of twenty- one years. Henry, son of Gideon, was born in Canaan, and came to Enfield with his parents in 1803. He married Eleanor Doton, of Canaan and had born to him six children, two of whom, John H. and Frank B., are living, both residing in this town. He died September 9, 1884, aged eighty five years. He was an excellent penman as the town records of Canaan show. His son John H. is proprietor of Mont Calm House, and Frank B. is a farmer and a lumber manufacturer and dealer.

John Smith, Jr., was born in Ipswich, Mass., in 1771, and remained there until he was thirty-four years of age. He followed a seafaring life, engaging in the cod fisheries up to that time. In 1805 he removed with his father, mother, wife and three children, to Enfield, and settled upon the farm where his grandson, Eben R. Dustin, now lives. His father, John Smith, Sr., died in 1818, aged eighty-six years, and his mother died in 1828, aged eighty- seven years. John Smith, Jr., married Betsey Burnham, and had born to him eight children, namely, Betsey Ann, Lucy, Daniel L., Ziba H., John B.,

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George W., Lucy W. and Joslina P. Betsey Ann, born in 1799, married Nehemiah Dustin, and was the mother of four children. Three son are living and reside in this town, viz .: David G., a farmer, lives in the western part of the town ; Ziba H., is a painter at Enfield Center, and Eben R., a farmer, resides on the homestead. Mrs. Dustin died August 8, 1884, aged eighty-five years. Lucy, daughter of John Smith, Jr., died aged twelve years. Daniel L. Smith settled in the western part of Enfield, and died in April, 1881. Ziba H. Smith died in 1828, aged twenty-one years. John B. died in 1854, aged forty five years. George W., a farmer, resides in Plainfield, N. H. Lucy W. unmarried, resides at Enfield Center. Joshua P., a retired farmer, resides in Warren, N. H. John Smith, Jr., remained on the farm where he settled when he first came to town, until his death in 1854, aged eighty-three years. Mrs. Smith died in 1844, aged sixty-eight years.

Matthew Pettingill, of Salisbury, N. H., purchased a tract of 400 acres of the original proprietors, where his son Jonathan C. settled about 1809. Matthew, Jr., and Zacheus came some years previous and nearly all of their land has passed out of the family. A portion of that occupied by Jonathan C. is now owned by his grandson, Ephraim H. Pettingill.

Leonard Woodbury, of Croydon, N. H., moved to Lebanon many years ago, and died at Bradford. His son David, born in Lebanon, lived there till twelve years of age, when he went to Piermont, where he lived twenty-five years. From here he moved to Orford, where he remained two years, and then came to this town, where he now resides.

Aaron Nichols was born in Enfield and died in the town of Canaan. His son, Benjamin T., a native of this town, lived here till twenty-one years of age, when he moved to Canaan, where he resided about twenty years. He then returned to Enfield, where he died, in May, 1874, aged fifty-eight years. He had born to him four children, namely, Henry A., Helen A., Mandana, and Elvin A., all living but Mandana.

R. W. Currier, a native of Enfield, built and kept the Grafton House, which stood opposite the present Mont Calm House. He married Lucinda W. Willis, of East Lebanon, and had born to him three children, namely, David W., who died in infancy, Mary L. and Kate W. Mr. Currier died in 1858, aged thirty-six years, and his widow died in 1866, aged forty-two years. Mary L. married Albert J. Merrill, a clothier in Boston, Mass., and Kate M. married John H. Hayes, who is in the dry goods business also in Boston. Both families have summer residences in this town. Mrs. Merrill and Mrs. Hayes are granddaughters of the late James Willis, of East Lebanon, who was known as an enterprising man. He was a merchant, a manufacturer and a hotel-keeper, and at the time the Northern railroad was built, took 100 shares at $100.00 each.

Thomas Merrill, a native of Enfield, was a merchant of this town, and held most of the town offices. He was selectman, represented the town several times, was State senator, and a member of the governor's council. He died in 1863 or 186.4.

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Daniel M. Cummings was born in Cornish, N H., May 16, 1810. His father, Warren Cummings, was a farmer, and Daniel M. remained with him until he attained his majority. He then commenced business as a millwright. He married Emily M. Hamilton, of Sharon, Vt., and removed to Woodstock, Vt., when twenty two years of age. He remained there, engaged at his trade, till 1841, when he located for a short time at East Lebanon. He came to Enfield in 1842, where he continued his millwright work up to the time of his death, which occurred recently. In 1856 he purchased a machine-shop, and added the business of machinist to his former occupation. In 1882 he invented and patented a valuable fodder-cutter, adapted especially to cutting and reducing corn-stalks and sugar-cane. He has had ten children, seven of whom are living. During the Rebellion all his sons, four in number, were at the same time soldiers in the Union army.

Jacob Lovejoy moved to Hebron, from Hollis, N. H., and remained there until his death, which occurred at the age of ninety-six years. Isaac, son of Jacob, was born in Hebron, where he lived till 1820, when he moved to Han- over, and remained until he came to Enfield, about 1873, to live with his son, A. C. He died here in 1877, aged eighty eight years. Augustus C., son of Isaac, was born in Hebron, February 7, 1810, lived there until the age of ten years, when he moved with his parents to Hanover, where he remained until 1838. He then moved to Canaan, and, in 1859, came to Enfield, and located on Shaker hill. In April, 1880, he removed to the place where, until his death, he resided, on road 5. He held the office of selectman six years.

Samuel Williams was born in Canaan and lived there until thirty-five years of age. He married Ursula Day, of Enfield, and had born to him five chil- dren, viz .: Jennie, Lewis M., Mirriam Elizabeth, Susan Augusta and Frank B. Lewis M. lives in Kansas, and Jennie married Rev. Francis Parker, and resides in Craftsbury, Vt. The others live in this town. Mr. Williams died here February 4, 1878, aged fifty-eight years.

Eben Clough was born in Grantham, N. H., where he lived till about fifty years of age. He was a wool-carder and cloth-dresser, carried on a saw and grist-mill, and was a land surveyor. He moved to Sutton, Vt., where he remained eleven years, and came here in 1871. He has held the office of justice of the peace more than forty years, and was notary public in Vermont ten years.

John Carlton was a life-long resident of Canaan. His son Henry, a native of Canaan, lived there until sixteen years of age, when he moved to Maine, where he lived thirty-seven years. He came to Enfield in 1880, and is a quarryman and farmer.

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 38

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers Number of Pages: 1266

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers
Number of Pages: 1266