Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 67

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 67

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ALITTLE,PHILA.

Josiah Kilburn

489

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

daughter-the men loading the guns, the women running bullets from the enemy's balls. "Kilburn, who fired all the guns, took special aim and every bullet told." At dark the Indians retreated, and, although the French and Indian war continued until 1763, Walpole was never again molested by the enemy. John Kilburn had all the characteristics of a successful warrior. He was endowed with keen, ready foresight, prudence, courage and persistency. He died at Walpole, April 8, 1789, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. The mountain known as Fall mountain was christened Mount Kilburn, in 1856, by Prof. Hitchcock and others, in remembrance of the hero who so gallantly fought the Indians from his little fort, just below the south end of the moun- tain. John Kilburn2 died at Shrewsbury, Vt., in 1822.

The line of descent to Josiah is-John1, John2, Elijah3, Josiah4. Josiah served an apprenticeship as a clothier, and worked at this and other laborious occupations until he was of age, when, in the spring of 1824, he came to Lit- tleton and engaged industriously and diligently in cloth-dressing and carding wool, rising early and laboring late, often working eighteen hours out of twenty-four. After eleven years of such incessant labor he purchased a farm and directed his attention to sheep-raising, and continued in this business for eleven years, when he disposed of his farm and stock and went to Fall River, Mass., where he passed a few months. He then returned to Littleton and became for a short time a member of the mercantile house of " Ely & Kil- burn," at Scythe Factory village. In 1847 Mr. Kilburn established the first foundry and machine shop in Littleton, and was connected with it until 1883, when he retired from business, having for nearly sixty years been a producer, and not a mere consumer, in the community where he cast his lot when a young man. The patient industry which characterized his early manhood, when his daily bread was earned by the toil of his hands, the persevering en- ergy which he manifested when afterward he engaged in manufacturing, by which he gained financial success, and his many excellent traits of character, have caused him to be respected and esteemed by his fellow townsmen, to whom " his goings in and comings out " have been as an open book for over half a century. Mr. Kilburn married, March 1, 1827, Emily Bonney. Their children were Benjamin W., born December 10, 1827 ; Edward, born Feb- ruary 27, 1830 (deceased) ; and Emily B., born October 17, 1833. Mrs. Kilburn died August 14, 1860. Mr. Kilburn married, April 3, 1861, Mrs. Lydia A. Colby, nee Wilder.

Mr. Kilburn has ever been a Whig and staunch Republican, and from 1827 to 1885 has been a subscriber for the New Hampshire Statesman, the organ of his political views. He has filled some town offices ; selectman for the years 1829-30-31 ; justice of the peace from 1844 to 1848 ; and represented Littleton in the legislature of 1843 and 1844. He is a member of Burns Lodge of F. & A. M., and was its chaplain for several years. Religiously he is an Orthodox Congregationalist, and has been a worthy and consistent chris- tian. At the age of more than four-score years Mr. Kilburn has the satisfac-

490

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

tion of seeing his children prosperous and occupying honorable positions in life, and inheriting traits of character from their brave ancestor, John, of Walpole.

Truman Stevens, a native of Passumpsic village, Barnet, Vt., was born Sep- tember 3, 1803. He removed to St. Johnsbury, Vt., and served an appren- ticeship at harness making, seven years, and in 1824 he came to this town, when there were but thirteen houses in what is now the large and thrifty vil- lage of Littleton. He has pursued the harness-maker's trade up to the present time, with the exception of five years in the scale business with the Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., as salesman. He married Malvina A. Carlton, of St. Johnsbury, Vt. Their only living child is Joan H., wife of E. D. Rand, of Lisbon. Mr. Stevens died on Friday, January 2, 1885.

Edmund Carleton came to this town, from Haverhill, about 1825. Loca- ting in the village, he began the practice of law, remaining in that business until 1844, when he removed to Scytheville, where he built a large saw-mill and carried on a lumber business for a number of years, both alone and in company with others. He married Mary K. Coffin, of Boscawen, and had born to him seven children, three of whom are now living-Edmund, a phy- sician in New York city ; Thomas, who married Carrie M. Allen, of Man- chester, and second, Addie Stone, of Watertown, Mass., and now resides in this town; and Alfred, who lives in Toledo, Ohio.

John Foster was born in the town of Jefferson, in 1815. With his parents he removed to this town in 1825, locating on road 31. He died on the farm on which he first settled in March, 1883. He married Lovina Briggs, a na- tive of this town, and they had six children, four of whom are now living, Fred married Mary Liddell, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and now lives on the old homestead and with his widowed mother. John Foster's father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, going out from Andover, Mass.

Isaac Foster came to this place about 1825, from Jefferson, and settled on road 31. He married Mary Dodge, of Lyman, who bore him seven children. In 1850 Mr. Foster received an injury which resulted in his death. Return- ing from Portland, Me., with a load of salt, at Parker Hill, in Lyman, while walking by the side of his team he became entangled by a pile of wood by the roadside and the sleigh passed over him, breaking his leg and inflicting other serious injuries from which he died in a few days. His son Allen married Angeline Carter and lives on the old homestead.

Sınith E. Jones was born in Gilmanton in 1819. When seven years of age his parents removed to this town. Here has been his home since that time, excepting a few years residence in Bethlehem. He married Sarah Kelso, of Bethlehem, who was born in 1820. They have two children living, three hav- ing died in infancy, and one, a daughter, who married Frank I. Parker, died in July, 1883. Ella Z., married Amos H. Mills and resides with her parents on road 20. Frank H., of this town married Bertha Kittredge, of Walden, Vt.

49 I

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

Trueworthy L. Parker was born in Chichester, in 1810, and came to this town in 1828, his father having located on a farm on road 32 a short time previ- ous to that date. For a time he lived in Orleans county, Vt., moving back to the old homestead in 1858, and afterwards to Monroe. He married, first, Dor- othea Sawyer, of Bethlehem, second, Augusta Ramsay, of this town, and third, Mrs. Mary Turner, of Monroe. He has twelve children living and has buried two. Mr. Parker now occupies the farm bought by his father.

Nathaniel Shute was born in Sanbornton in 1801. In 1828 he came to this town and settled on road 37, where he has resided since. He married Maria Smith, also of Sanbornton, who bore him three children, one dying in infancy, and one at the age of fourteen, while the surviving son, Gilman D., married Lucy Whiting, of Lyman, who died in March, 1880. Mr. Nathaniel Shute died in September, of the same year

John Merrill was born in Pembroke, in September, 1808. He learned the cabinet maker's trade at Concord and worked at the same in Lowell, Haver- hill, Methuen, Charlestown and Boston, Mass. He came to Littleton in 1832, and had been the leading one in that business, also as an undertaker until 1873, being in active business pursuits for fifty years. He married Hannah D. Allen, a native of Haverhill, and they had two sons and five daughters, of whom Henry married Carrie A. Brackett, and is secretary of the Eureka Glove Manufacturing Company ; Richard B. is a commercial traveler ; Eliza- beth married Edmund D. Lucas, of this town ; Eleanor married William R. Terrett, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, Saratoga, N. Y .; Abbie married R. E. Rockwell, of East Orange, N. J .; Isabella married Charles F. Dean, of Roselle, N. J., and Hannah F. resides with her mother. Mr. Mer- rill had been deacon of the Congregational church since November 5, 1841. He died May 31, 1885.

George A. Farr, son of John and Tryphena (Morse) Farr, was born in this town February 12, 1836. He attended school at home until ten years of age, when he went to work on a farm summers and attended school in the winter, continuing thus until seventeen years ago, when he learned the carriage maker's trade, which he continued two years, until obliged to leave it on account of poor health. He then fitted for college at Thetford, Vt.,' academy and graduated from Dartmouth in 1862, with the intention of study- ing law. During that year he enlisted and was commissioned captain of Co. D, 13th N. H. Vol. Infantry, and served with his regiment until June Ist, 1864, when he received a severe wound at the battle of Cold Harbor, the bullet entering at the right shoulder and passing through his body, was taken out near his spine. He has the ball preserved as a relic. He remained in the hospital until February following, when he was put upon military commis- sions and court martial duty until the close of the war. Since then he has engaged in the manufacture of starch two years, when he entered the mer- cantile business with H H. Southworth until 1874. In 1876 he was ap- pointed deputy sheriff, which office he held for ten years. In 1874 he bought

492

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

the Oak hill property and is now conducting one of the finest summer resorts of this section-known as the Oak Hill House. He married Eliza C. Boyn- ton, of Hallowell, Me., and they have three children.

Ellery D. Dunn was born in Wilton, Me., in 1822. In 1836 he removed to this town and engaged in business as a contractor and builder, and has followed the same until the present time, his work being very extensive and profitable. He has recently erected a large hotel at Hamilton, Bermuda. He married Susan Dow, of this town, and has one daughter. Mr. Dunn was representative in the state legislature two terms, was chief fire warden for six years.

Col. Cyrus Eastman, son of Jonathan and Sally (Heath) Eastman, was born in Danville Vt., March 15, 1814. His father was a carpenter, and Cyrus worked with him at that trade until he was nineteen, receiving in this a knowledge of great value in after life, and, during this time, he attended the good common schools of Danville, and two terms at the academy at Brown- ington. When 19, Mr. Eastman entered the service of the Fairbankses and was in their employ, most of the time as traveling salesman of their scales, until June, 1836. Having been successful as an employee, Mr. Eastman con- cluded to engage in business on his own account, and came to Littleton, July 5, 1836, and has since been a resident of this place, and a most prominent business factor. In company with Ethan Colby, he at once founded the firm of "Colby & Eastman." Their store was in the building now occupied by Mrs E. S. Woolson as a residence, which stood in front of its present location on Main street. In 1838 Ebenezer Eastman and Henry Mattocks purchased the interest of Mr. Colby, and the firm became "Eastman, Mattocks & Co." Under various firm names, and with various partners, Col. Eastman was ac- tively and extensively in trade until September 2, 1882. This business had the largest proportions of any in northern New Hampshire, and in some years did a net business of $150,000.00.

In 1841 Col. Eastman built the store now occupied by Southworth & Love- joy, and traded there until 1853. This year was a notable one for Littleton. The railroad changed the channels of trade somewhat from the old centers on its arrival, and, alive to every change, Col. Eastman and his partners con- structed a store near the depot, in which as well as in the store on Main street, they carried on a large and flourishing business. The stores of those days were the exchange bureaus of a large area of population, and to deal intimately and to a large amount with such a variety of individuality year after year for such an extended period required great knowledge of human nature, shrewdness, fore- sight, and a power of personal adaptation to meet the exigencies and con- tingencies arising prepetually in such a life, that would have won success in any field of commercial activity however broad. We extract from an address delivered at the centennial celebration of Littleton, July 4, 1884, by Franklin J. Eastman, the following : ""'Colby & Eastman' may be deemed the connecting link between old and modern Littleton. At the beginning of their mercantile

Cyprus Eastman 2-1

493

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

life they departed from the conservative practice of the sterling old school of merchants in an almost indiscriminate credit. It was the rush and vim of charging, trusting, taking anything for pay that had a merchantable value. The wise shook their heads or predicted disaster, and the hard time '37 came near making them true prophets. Another innovation was marking merchan- dise at one price and that a cash one, thus allowing the purchaser's credit, equality with his neighbor's money. 'Large sales and small profits' was the rallying cry, and Dalton, Lisbon, Bethlehem, Landaff, and a portion of Ver- mont sent patrons, who, in their turn, advertised the wonderful prices at which many staple goods could be obtained. The successors to Colby & Eastman, were 'Eastinan, Mattocks & Co.,' 'Eastman, Tilton & Co.,' 'F. Tilton & Co.' 'C. & F. J. Eastman & Co.,' 'Eastman, Tilton & Co.,' and finally 'C. & C. F. Eastman.' With the exception of Mr. Colby the partners for the full period of nearly fifty years were natives of Vermont or their descent. During this time the various firms, or the individuals composing them, were developing other industries, manufacturing lumber, making starch, running grist-mills, and var- ious outside interests."

Mr. Eastman and local partners carried on for years an extensive manufac- ture of potato starch, having one mill in Littleton, one in Dalton, one in Lu- nenburgh and one at West Concord, Vt. This enterprise was abandoned by them in this section about 1872, when " C. & C. F. Eastman " became con- nected with the same branch of business in Aroostook county, Maine, where they owned four mills,-one at Presque Isle, two at Washburn, and one at Madawaska. The annual product of these was 800 tons. In 1883 they sold their mills, and went back from railroads to Perham, where they erected a mill which produced 250 tons of starch in 1885.

In 1852, Eastman, Tilton & Co., in connection with E. J. M. Hale and James H. Carleton, of Haverhill, Mass, purchased the interest of Thomas J. Crawford, in the Crawford House, and completed the hotel then in process of construction. This was burned Saturday, May 1, 1859. On Monday Colonel Eastman drew the rough plan of a new hotel, to be 200 feet front, with two wings of 200 feet each, two and three stories in height. On confer- ing with his partners, they seemed to consider it a foregone conclusion that no"hotel could be put up to take the place of the burned Crawford House until that season had passed. Colonel Eastman's characteristic energy now showed itself. " I will guarantee to have a new house ready to receive guests in sixty days, with three days grace." The response was "go ahead." Colonel Eastman set to work, sent his plans to the chosen architect for arrangement, made a flying trip to all the mills within quite a radius, purchased all the lum- ber on hand, and night and day devoted himself to the work before him. As the cars only ran to Littleton, everything had to be hauled from that point, and in ten days time he had 150 men and 75 oxen and horses at work. He was everywhere present, superintended everything, averted disaster and prevented delays, and had the pleasure of opening the new Crawford House to travelers

494

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

on July 13, when forty received dinner, and 100 were entertained for the night. This rapid feat of construction was accomplished solely by the energy, business push, and untiring personal labors of Colonel Eastman, who, in this accomplishment, showed the secret of his prosperity. During the last two years he has erected the Chiswick Inn, a group of these houses, which, with the out-buildings, forms a beautiful summer hotel in the village of Littleton. In 1853 he built the residence on South street, where he has since made his home. and has enjoyed his leisure in the cultivation of his farm and the gratification of his taste for fine stock, especially horses.

In the old militia days Col. Eastman was an active and energetic officer. He organized the " Littleton Greys " in 1842, and was elected captain of the company. In 1843 he received the appointment of colonel of the 32d Regt. N. H. militia, which, after holding one year he resigned. In business and financial circles his advice and counsel are highly valued. He was a director of the White Mountain railroad, has been a director of the Littleton National bank from its establishment, was an incorporator and a trustee of the Littleton Savings bank until his resignation in 1881, is a di- rector of the Eastern Banking Company of Crete, Neb., and of the Barton National bank of Barton, Vt. He has been unswervingly a Democrat. In the long years of political adversity, as well as in the fortunate ones of suc- cess, he was true to the principles he deemed just. He was a representative of Littleton two years in the State legislature, was postmaster for several years, and was a member of Gov. Goodwin's council. He was also a mem- ber of the last constitutional convention. The offices he accepted, however, in no manner were equal in number to those he refused to accept, as he pre- ferred giving his time and attention to his private business. Col. Eastman married first, November 28, 1838, Susan French Tilton, of Danville, Vt., who died January 20, 1866. They had four children-Lucia W. (Mrs. H. P. Ross), Charles F., Martha A. (Mrs. Lorenzo C. Kenney), and Laura B. He married, second, Mrs. Julia (Ross) Brackett, May 13, 1868.

Another extract from the address already quoted will bring this sketch to a fitting close : " Col. Eastman, one of the pioneers of the new school of merchants, remained solid in the venture through all the changes of the long- continued business. Success being the measure of merit, he must have pos- sessed large ability as a merchant. After fifty years of manhood's busy life he is still vigorous and active."

Henry L. Tilton, son of Joseph and Sally B. Tilton, was born at North Danville, Vt., May 3, 1828. When fifteen years of age he commenced his studies at the Phillips academy, and finished his education at the age of nine- teen, after which he taught two terms of school in his native town. When twenty years of age his father gave him a suit of clothes, and he came to this town and engaged as a clerk in the store of Eastman, Tilton & Co., Mr. Til- ton being a brother, for the compensation of his board and clothing for one year. He remained with the firm three years, receiving a small salary the last

495

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

part of the time. By rigid economy he saved enough to pay his passage to California, then the Eldorado of those who sought sudden wealth, and, with four others from this town, he embarked on the first of December, 1850, for the Golden Gate. His first employment in California was selling water in San Francisco, at ten cents per pailful. From that business he went into a large wholesale establishment as clerk, at a salary of $200.00 per month. He engaged, after one year, with Mills Cady, under the firm name of Tilton & Cady, in a mercantile business. His stay in California was about three years. Returning to this town, he entered the firm of C. & F. J. Eastman & Co. After five years with them, he started a general mercantile business, which he continued for ten years. He was afterwards engaged in various business interests, as lumbering principally, flouring. and real estate. In 1870 he built Tilton's block, on Main street, and at about the same time he opened a banking house, under the firm name of Tilton & Co. In 1871, failing health led him to a partial retirement from business. Since that year he has been a director and a loaning committee of the Littleton National bank. Mr. Tilton has not sought political preferment, though he was, however, a delegate to the Republican National convention of 1880, and an elector from New Hampshire, in the presidential campaign of that year.

John C. Quimby was born in Lisbon, July 25, 1818, where he resided until twenty years of age, when he removed to this town, living at North Littleton fifteen years, when he located on a farm on road 22. He married Jane Rowell, a native of Bath. They have four children, viz .: Ella, who mar- ried William B. Bowman ; Sarah, who married Scott W. Powers, and Henry W., who married Nellie Fisher. They all live in this town.

Theron A. Farr was born in this town December 28, 1839, a son of Gil- man and Philena (Allen) Farr. His life was spent on his father's farm until he was fifteen years or age. In April, 1861, he enlisted for three months, and went to Portsmouth. In October, of the same year, he enlisted in Co. C, 5th N. H Vols. Inf., for three years, as a private. In 1863 he re-enlisted as a veteran, in the same regiment. He was commissioned first lieutenant, in 1864, and captain in 1865, and was mustered out July 3, 1865. He served in the army of the Potomac, and participated in twenty engagements, including the seven days fight on the Peninsula, the battle of Gettysburg, in front of Petersburg, and was with the army of the Potomac at the surrender of Lee. He married Alice, daughter of Marcus L. Goold, and they have two sons, Walter H. and Harry M. Mr. Farr, since the war, has spent nine years as clerk in the store of N. C. Farr, and for the past two years has been assistant postmaster at Littleton.

John Streeter was born in Landarf October 24, 1787. When four years of age he moved with his parents to the locality in Lisbon known as Streeter Pond. He married Lucy Beemis, of Brattleboro, Vt., who bore him six children who attained an adult age. Stephen B. married Sally Howe, of Ben- ton, in 1840, and the same year located on road 47 in this town. They had

496

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

two daughters-Mary, who married George Colby, of Warner, and Lucy A., now living with her father. Mrs. Streeter died in 1874. Julia, a daughter of John, born in 1820, resides with her brother. James M. was a soldier from this town in the war of the Rebellion, and died of measles in the hospital at Newport News, Va., March 7, 1863. The first named John died in 1860, and his wife in 1852-both in Lisbon.

Henry L. Thayer was born in Keene in 1817. Brought up to work on his father's farm until nineteen years of age he then entered the employ or Mahlon Cottrell, proprietor of the Pavillion Hotel at Montpelier, Vt., where he remained until of age. From there he went to Danville, Vt., and engaged in the grocery business, which he disposed of at the end of one year. In 1841 he removed to this town and carried on a general country store for ten years, doing a large and profitable business. In the meantime he built the hotel which bears his name, opened it to the public January 14th, 1850, and has carried it on since. For the last seven years his son Frank has been associated with him in its management. The hotel has acquired a wide repu- tation, both as a summer resort and with the traveling public. Mr. Thayer married Mary Ann Cox, of Holderness, who bore him two sons-Henry, who died in February, 1876, and Frank. Mr. Thaver has been closely allied with all the business interests of the town in the forty-five years of his residence here, and has contributed largely to its growth and prosperity. In his first years in town he was a major in the state militia, and was a representative in the state legislature, in 1866, and also received the appointment of justice of the peace, which office he held for five years.

Charles L. Clay was born at Andover in 1845; where he lived until of age. He began his education at New London and graduated at Colby University, of Waterville, Me., in 1868. He taught school at Townshend and St. Johns- bury, Vt., and at Grafton, Watertown and Belmont, in all about thirteen years. He came to this town and engaged in the manufacture of gloves, in which business he has continued to the present time, being now treasurer of the Granite State Glove Company. He married Stella L , daughter of Henry Reddington. He was chosen a deacon of the Congregational church in 1884.

Phineas R. Goold, son of the late Marcus L. Goold, was born in this town in 1842. He attended the schools of the village, and when fifteen years old, went to Haverhill to learn the printing business of the proprietor of the "Dem- ocratic Republican." He worked at printing at Lebanon and Lynn, Mass., and in Boston. In 1862 he entered H. L. Tilton's store as a clerk, and afterwards became a partner. For the past seventeen years he has held the office of postmaster at Littleton. In 1881, in company with B. F. Robinson, he started the " Littleton Journal," a weekly Republican paper, which they still publish. He married Selvia Danforth, a native of Lisbon. He has held the office of justice of the peace for the past twenty years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 67

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