Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 59

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 59

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William S. Ela, whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch, is- the son of Benjamin and Abigail E. (Emerson) Ela, and was born in Leb- anon, June 19, 1807. He received his education in the common schools of his town, and took up the laborious occupation of carpenter, working under instructions a few years. When twenty-three years of age he com_ menced business for himself as a contractor and builder, which he continued with more than ordinary success until 1857, employing from five to ten men. Seeing the need of a provident institution where the industrious, poor people might safely invest and save a portion of their earnings, he gave his aid and influence in organizing the Lebanon Savings bank and was then elected its president and chairman of the investing committee, which positions he now holds. He is also the president of the National bank of Lebanon, and has been since it was organized under the present charter. He has had exten- sive business interests in the Western States, where each year he spent several months up to the last three years. In politics Mr. Ela was an old line Whig until the formation of the Republican party, to which he at once attached himself, and is firm in its ranks, and still doing it good service. For twelve years he served his town in the office of first selectman, and managed its affairs with the care for its interests that he gave to his own individual business. In 1854 and 1855, and again in 1856, he represented Lebanon in the legislature, serving one extra session. Mr. Ela has given his aid and encouragement not only to build up the business interests of Lebanon, but its charitable associations and churches have also enjoyed his care and finan- cial support. He it a regular attendent of the Congregational church and a generous supporter of all its intesests, and has recently donated to it a mag- nificent organ. Mr. Ela has been twice married. In 1832 he married Louisa R. Greenough, of Lebanon, and had born to him two sons, Richard E., who died in September, 1855, aged twenty years; while the other died in infancy.

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Their mother died in 1868, aged fifty-seven years. In 1871 he married Eliza- beth Kendrick, his present wife.

Alpheus Baker was a son of one of the early settlers who came on from Montville, Conn., and was born soon after their arrival. He became a brick mason, and during his life erected most of the brick buildings in town. He married Nancy, daughter of Simon, and granddaughter of Major John Slapp, who served in the French and Indian war, and in the early part of the Revolution, and afterwards settled in Lebanon, where he taught school many years. Alpheus W. Baker, son of Alpheus and Nancy, was born in Lebanon in 1834, studied at Lebanon academy, spent a few years as a clerk in New York city, and went to Wisconsin in 1856, where he engaged in business as a builder. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 23d Wis. Inf., of which he became lieutenant, serving until the fall of 1864. He then returned to Leb- anon, resumed business as contractor and builder, which he continued nearly eighteen years. In 1873-74 he was a representative to the State legislature from Lebanon, assistant clerk of the House in 1876-77. and assistant secre- tary of the constitutional convention of 1876. From January, 1881, he served as postmaster until January, 1886, and for twelve years has been chosen mod- erator of town meetings. Having joined the order of Free Masons, in 1857, at Lodi, Wis., he has ever taken a lively interest in the order, and has been honored with some of its highest official preferments, was W. M. of Franklin Lodge, No. 6, at Lebanon, four years, and held, successively, all the offices in the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, becoming Grand Master in 1803, and also in the Grand Chapter, of which he is now Grand High Priest. Upon the organization of the Mascoma Mutual Fire Insurance Co., in 1885, he was chosen the treasurer and secretary, and to the performance of the duties of these positions his energies are now devoted.

Joseph Wood, one of the pioneers of Lebanon, was born in Mansfield, Conn., in 1725. He married Anna Palmer, who was born in 1728, and their children were as follows : Samuel, afterwards Rev., born in 1753; Mariam, born in 1755 ; Joseph, born November 8, 1759, married Sarah Gerrish, of Bos- cawen, in 1782, and reared eleven children ; Ephraim, born in 1761; and Anna, also born in Connecticut. Mary, daughter of Joseph, Jr., born here August 16, 1789, married Samuel B. Gerrish, September 7, 1806, who died in 1866, aged eighty-four years, is still living at the great age of ninety-six years. Roger Wood, grandson of Joseph, married Achsah Tilden, and had six children- Achsah (Mrs. Russell Risley), Samuel, Luther, Rosamond (Mrs. Dr. A. Smal- ley), Hannah, and Roger. The latter married Emily Willard, and now occu- pies the homestead. Henry Wood, Jr., great-grandson of Joseph, Jr., now resides at West Lebanon.

Hon. Albert M. Shaw was born in Poland, Me., the eldest of four children of Francis and Olive (Garland) Shaw. From 1840 to 1845 Mr. Shaw was engaged in constructing railroads in Massachusetts, and in the latter year came to New Hampshire, where was then opened a wide field for his special

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energies and abilities, and where he still resides. At the time of his locating here he commenced the construction of the Northern railroad, from Concord to White River Junction, and remained on it until its completion. For a long time he was its civil engineer and road-master, and has been closely identified with its management since its existence, and has also superintended the construction of some of its principal branches. Since 1848 he has en- gaged in the construction of railroads in Main, Vermont, the provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia, and the state of New York. In 1862 and 1863 he represented his town in the legislature, and was returned aguin in 1881 ; in 1868 he was a presidential elector for General Grant ; in 1876 represented Lebanon in the constitutional convention ; in 1878 and 1879 represented his district in the State Senate ; in 1864 he was consul to Quebec; and in 1877 he was appointed one of the three commissioners to build the new state prison. He is now director of the Nashua & Lowell and other railroads, a trustee of Tilden seminary, and of the Orphan's Home, located at Franklin, and president and director of the Mascoma Mutual Fire Insurance Company located at Lebanon. In 1848 Mr. Shaw married Miss Caroline Dearborn Emory, of Andover, N. H., and they are the parents of two sons who reside in Lebanon. Their only daughter, Mary Estelle, died in 1870.

Jewett D. Hosley, son of Luke G. and Polly (Niles) Hosley, was born in Hillsborough, N. H., in 1820. He was educated in the public schools and at the academy of Hancock, and at the private school of the celebrated edu- cator Rev. Mr. Canning, of Gill, Mass. After leaving school he resided the next four years with ex-Governor Benjamin Pierce, the father of President Franklin Pierce. Then, at the death of Governor Pierce, Mr. Hosley engaged in the lumber trade in his native town, which he continued until 1847. He then engaged as superintendent of the Northern railroad in laying the track, and served the company in that capacity until the completion of the road in 1848, when he received the appointment of superintendent of western ter- minus of that railroad, and located at West Lebanon. where he still resides, still holding that position. In politics Mr. Hosley is a Democrat. Since 1853 he has been ten times the candidate of his party for the popular branch of the legislature. And since 1863 has been five times a candidate for state senator. In 1881 and again in 1883 he was a candidate for congressman. He is a trustee of Tilden Ladies Seminary and chairman of its executive com- mittee. In 1844 Mr. Hosley married Mary S. Moore, of Hillsboro, and has had born to him five children. Three are now living, viz., Anna A. ( Mrs. A. J. Grover), who resides in Springfield, Vt., Jennie who resides with her father, and Harry H., who graduated at the United States naval academy of Annapolis, in 1875, and is now a lieutenant on board the flag ship "Ten- nessee." Mrs. Hosley died November 1, 1874, aged 53 years.

William Benton, of Tolland, Conn., had two daughters and ten sons. One daughter and eight sons grew to mature years, including Colbee C. Benton, the subject of this sketch, who was born at Langdon, N. H., January

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23, 1805. His parents removed to Hartford, Vt., when he was but four years old ; but after a sojourn of four or five years, they came to Lebanon, where he spent his life, with the exception of a period between 1834 and 1840, at Norwich, Vt. He received his education in the common schools, and the academy of Randolph, Vt. After his return from Norwich, in 1841, he mar- ried Susan A. Wright, of that town. Their four children, Ellen W., Sarah P., John W., and Jennie A. Benton, are all dead, the three daughters dying within seven years of each other.

Mr. Benton engaged in the mercantile business in Lebanon when only twenty years of age, with $147.50, the accumulations of his boyhood. Ster- ling integrity, and thrift, and foresight in business were attended by prosper- ity, and he retired from mercantile life years ago, with a competency. During and since his mercantile life he did considerable in settling estates, as admin- istrator or executor. He was careful and methodical in all financial affairs, and his books were always accurate. He took great interest in the develop- ment and improvement of his town, county and state, and especially in the organization of the Northern railroad, assisting in the preliminary survey. Later he was appointed by its projectors a committee to buy the necessary lands from the Connecticut river to the town of Franklin, and his report to the legislature probably turned the scale in favor of the law granting a char- ter and the right of way. Although nominally not in business, he led a busy life. He has always been a great lover of nature, and found great pleasure in the culture of fruits and flowers, and the study of the natural sciences. His collection of mineral and botanical specimens is as large and valuable as any private collection in New England. He spent much time in traveling through the Southern and Western States. On one of these trips, in 1837, he spent a week among the Indians, and made a voyage of eight hundred miles alone in a " dug-out" down the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. His specimens were mostly gathered by himself and wife, who accompanied him in his journeyings after their marriage, and are therefore of untold value to her. He was quite a historian, antiquarian and poet. He spent time and money freely in searching out the early history of his town and its settlers. His poems, the journals of his travels, and the historical facts which he gath- would make a volume of great interest and value. He also acquired some distinction in the New Hampshire and Vermont militia. His first knowledge of military affairs was acquired in Lebanon. When the rifle company was organized in 1817, he joined them as orderly sergeant, under Captain Wood- bury, a veteran of the war of 1812. When the latter was promoted to the colonelcy, E. A. Howe succeeded bim as captain and Mr. Benton was ap- pointed adjutant of the regiment. While he was in business in Norwich, Vt., he received a commission from that state, whence the title of Colonel by which he was familiarly called. He was an ardent, active Democrat, hon- estly so, and contributed liberally of time and means to promote his political convictions without thought of reward, and although always interested in

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public affairs, he never sought office, and said he never wished for any, but preferred the study of geology, botany and the beauties of nature. He al- ways had the sincere respect of all political opponents, and never thought less of any for opposing him in politics, and but for the fact that party lines were sharply drawn upon questions of great moment, during most of his career, he could have had any place in the gift of his townsinen. If every citizen was as active, as earnest, as well informed, and as modest, it would be well for our common country. In religion as in other matters he was liberal as well as earnest. For the Unitarian church his labors were abundant, and in the con- struction of the present elegant church edifice, his energy and aid was the "guiding star to success." As a member of the executive committee lie col- lected the subscriptions necessary and pushed the work to final completion, and kept all the accounts incident to its construction.

Robert Kimball, son of Joseph, of Preston, Ct., who settled in Plainfield, N. H., in 1765, was born December 16, 1786. His early years were spent on the farm of his father, with such training, physical and intellectual, as the times afforded. Developing intellectual tastes he fitted for college at Chesterfield. N. H., and entered Dartmouth college, not remaining to graduate, however About 1810 he settled in Morristown. Vt., and engaged in mercantile pursuits in which he was unusually successful. While there he was enrolled in the Vermont militia, and with his company volunteered to go to the defence of Plattsburg in 1814, arriving two hours after the battle. He used humorously to boast of his military career and to wonder if it was a sufficient foundation upon which to run for Congress or the Presidency. He was chosen to repre- sent the town in the legislature. After nine years he returned to Plainfield to assist his father now feeling the infirmities of age. He received all the honors which the town could confer. In 1835, after the death of his father, he removed to Lebanon, where he spent the remainder of his days. He represented the town in the legislature in 1842 and '43, in which he held a leading position. He was also a member of the costitutional covention in 1850. In 1840, he succeeded Dr. Parkhurst as president of the Bank of Lebanon, which position be held till 1865, when he retired from the office. In 1817 while residing in Vermont he married Fanny Willis, of Wolcott, Vt., a native of Hanover, N. H. Two children were born to them, Mary Elizabeth and Robert Byron.

Mr. Kimball was a constant reader of the best literature all his life. In his earlier years he traveled extensively for that day, and made the acquaintance of the prominent men of the times, and so became a pleasant and profitable companion. He had a strong vein of wit and humor, and, on oceasions was a ready maker of verses which always had point and often wit. He died September 20, 1875, aged eighty-five years.

Robert Byron Kimball, son of Robert, was born in Plainfield, N. H., Octo- ber 24, 1827. He received his education in the schools of Plainfield in his early years, and after his father moved to Lebanon, in the Lebanon academy.

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He spent nine years in London, Ohio, as clerk and merchant. Returning to Lebanon he commenced business as a general merchant, about 1852, with Mr. Henry Fales as a partner. His business was successfully continued till 1870, when Mr. Kimball retired. With the results of his labor and gifts from his father he had a handsome competence. In 1872 he traveled extensively in Europe, and afterwards in the United States. He was a director of the Lebanon National and Savings banks.

Mr. Kimball was a generous man, and from his hand came relief to the poor and suffering, generally secretly. To him most rightfully belonged the benediction of the Psalmist : "Blessed is he that considereth the poor." He died March 16, 1877, in his fiftieth year.

Daniel G. Brockway, son of John Brockway, of Pomfret, Vt., was born in that town, October 4, 1848. He was educated in the common schools of Pomfret, and the academies of Randolph, Vt., and Meridan, N. H., and fin- ally graduated from Dartmouth college in 1870. In completing his medical studies he attended lectures at Dartmouth, and Manchester, N. H., and received the decree of M. D. at the University of New York, in 1873. In the following summer he located in Lebanon, where he has since remained in active and successful practice.

William B. Weeks was born in Canaan, in 1839, read law with George, Foster & Sanborn, of Concord, N. H., and was admitted to the bar in 1864. He commenced practice in Canaan ; in January, 1865, went to West Vir- ginia where he remained until 1867, when he returned and came to this town. He has practiced here longer than any other lawyer in town. He is a grad- uate of Dartmouth college, class of 1861.

James A. Davis, M. D., was born in Langdon, N. H., October 9, 1830, and when an infant his parents moved to Springfield, Vt., where he lived until he was nineteen years of age. He was educated at Springfield academy and Dartmouth college, graduating in 1864. He obtained his education by his own exertions, working at engraving and dentistry. He began practice in the village of Lebanon the same year he graduated, and has been a success- ful physician here since that time. He has practiced here longer than any other physician now in town. In 1872, he was appointed examining surgeon for this portion of this district, by the federal government, a position which held until the office was discontinued, and then was appointed a member of the board of United States surgeons, composed of three members, with their office at White River Junction. This position he resigned January I, 1885. He is also a member of the State Medical Society which has head- quarters at Concord.

Dr. Constant W. Manchester was born in Plainfield, N. H., in 1832, was educated at Kemball academy, Meriden, N. H., and received his medical education at the Vermont university and Dartmouth college. He obtained his diploma at the University of Vermont, in 1858, and in the autumn of the same year he commenced the practice of his profession at Meriden,

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where he continued in successful practice for fourteen years. In conse- quence of failing health, he was obliged to leave his extensive practice, and take a practice where his ride would be over less territory. In 1873 he came to Lebanon, and has a successful practice- He is a member of the State Medical Society.

Gilman C. Whipple was born in Croydon, N. H., March, 1837. His father was Moses Whipple, who married Heiress Cooper, a native of Vermont. G. C. Whipple was educated in the public schools of the town, and at the academies of Newport and New London, N. H. At the age of sixteen or seventeen he entered the store of G. W. Worthen, of Lebanon, as clerk, and commenced his life work of selling goods. He continued in that capacity with Mr. Wor- then about eight years. In the spring of 1864 he opened for himself a small grocery store on the south side of the common, and continued a constantly increasing and successful trade in this line about three years, when he added to it dry goods. In 1870 he purchased the building on the north side of the common known as the Kimball store, when he dropped the sale of groceries and added ready-made clothing and gent's furnishing goods. Here he con- tinued until 1882, when his largely increased business had outgrown the ac- commodations of his store, and he needed more space, when he built the spa- cious and elegant brick block which he now occupies, and which is not sur passed in elegance of construction and convenience by any of its kind in Northern New Hampshire. It is Sox100 feet, and three stories in height, heated by steam, and lighted by gas throughout. Although Mr. Whipple is deservedly popular with the people of his town, and a staunch Republican, he has repeatedly refused to accept offices often tendered him, preferring to give all his time and energies to his large business interests. He is a deacon of the Baptist church, and was one of its first members when the church was organized, in 1862, and has continued its pillar and most liberal supporter in all that has pertained to its financial and spiritual welfare. In October, 1864, Mr. Whipple married Clara P. Wood, daughter of Samuel Wood, who was grandson of the pioneer of the family of this name in Lebanon.

Dr. Phinehas Parkhurst was born in Plainfield, Conn., but in early child- hood his father removed, with his family, to Royalton, Vt., then a frontier settlement. In 1777 he was at the surrender of Burgoyne, being among the militia of Vermont, known at that time, however, as the New Hampshire Grants. When the town of Royalton was attacked and many of its buildings burned, October 16, 1780, by a party of three hundred Indians of various tribes from Canada, in attempting to alarm the people on the east side of the river he was shot by the first gun which the enemy fired after they entered the place. The ball entered his back, went through his body, came out under his ribs and lodged in the skin, but though thus severly wounded, he rode six- teen miles, supporting the ball, which was of extra musket size, between his thumb and fingers until he reached the house of the nearest surgeon, Dr. Hall, by whom it was extracted. This wound gave him, not only serious in-

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convenience, but even positive pain to the last, and by a singular coincidence, he died on the anniversary of the day which he received it. Finding himself thus unfitted for the labors of a farmer's life, he turned his thoughts to that profession which he afterwards followed for about sixty years, with so much diligence and such a widely extended reputation. Dr. Parkhurst was a relic of the olden times, and belonged to that class of men, few of whom now re- main. He retained a simplicity of thought, word and manner almost wholly unaffected by the changes of modern social improvement, still keeping up the hospitality of a newly-settled country. His house was ever open, not only to friends and patients, but, it may truly be said, to all; for his heart was large and warm, and to his unwillingness to refuse a favor may be ascribed many of those heavy losses of property to which he was subjected. As a physi- cian he was known and highly valued throughout a very large circle. His quick perception and sound judgment being more than a counter-balance for any deficiency in medical science, since he was skillful, experienced and successful, before the establishment of any medical school in the country ; and no man in New England, probably, has ridden an equal number of miles. As a citizen he was ever desirous of public good, and though prevented by his profession from assuming public responsibilities, he cheerfully sustained his proper burdens, and paid largely and willingly for common interests. His political preferences were influenced by his Revolutionary remembrances, and, we may say, prejudices. Though he might be considered a decided party man, he was never an office-seeker, and when he received the honorable ap- pointment of general presidential elector for New Hampshire, it was as unex- pected as unsought for. As a neighbor, many can testify to the friendly interest he took, and the kindly offices he rendered ; for he never refused time, strength or money where his services were needed, and the town of Lebanon, in which he resided from the time he commenced his profession till his death, had abundant cause to honor him as a worthy and valued citizen. Without being called a professedly religious man, Dr. Parkhurst still felt and acknowledged his obligation to fear God and work righteousness. He was always a willing supporter of religious institutions, and was opposed to any- thing which he thought might weaken or overthrow them. An ardent friend to liberty-religious as well as political-any encroachment always awakened in him an indignation which was freely expressed ; and while his faults, like some of his excellences, arose out of circumstances and influences, of which the present generation know but little, he was, in truth, that noble work of God- an honest man. Dr. Parkhurst married early and became the father of nine children, for whose comfort and improvement he labored with an affectionate diligence. All of these, with the exception of one, he followed to the grave, most of them in mature life; and by their side he laid his long loved and aged partner, after a connection of fifty-seven years. Few of his cotempo- raries are left to tell his early struggles, his untiring activity, his prudence and economy by which he acquired his property, or that generous wish to oblige,

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by which he lost so much that was earned by care and toil; still the large concourse of relatives, neighbors and friends, even from adjoining towns, who assembled to lay the old man down to rest, sufficiently testified how widely he was known and how truly he was respected. He died here October 16, 1844, aged eighty five years.

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 59

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