Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 68

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 68

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Dr. F. T. Moffett was born in this town March 6, 1842. He served in the 13th N. H. Vols. from 1862 to 1865. Previous to his enlistment he had

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commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Buffum, of Waterford, and after the close of the war finished his studies with Dr. Tuttle, of Littleton. He graduated at the Harvard medical school in June, 1870, and has since been in practice in this town.

Nathaniel Flanders was born in Dorchester, November 17, 1818. After five years of age he lived with his parents in Canaan, and in the vicinity until 1842, when he came to this town. In 1846 he married Mary Ann McMurphy, of Wentworth, and settled on a farm on road 41, where he remained six years, and for the following eight years carried on the lumber business and farming in Bethlehem. He has three children of whom Walter P. mar- ried Ella Remick and lives in this town ; Emma C., and George who married Alice J. Allen, of this town, and resides with his father.

Benjamin F. Page, M. D., was born in this town in 1843. He graduated from the medical college at Burlington, Vt., in 1867. He commenced the practice of his profession at Lisbon and afterwards was at St. Johnsbury, Vt. In 1880 he came to this town and is still in practice here. He married Car- oline, daughter of John Farr, and they have two children, a son and a daughter.

Alonzo Weeks was born in Danville, Vt., in 1819. In 1844 he moved to this town, engaging in the manufacture of boots and shoes which he contin- ued for thirty-eight years. In 1880 he commenced the manufacture of gloves and mittens. He has often been honored by his townsmen with political pre- ferment. In 1864 he was elected town clerk, and afterward was chosen selectman two terms and has been town treasurer thirteen years. He married Caroline A. Harris, of Danville, Vt., and they have two children-John A., now of Yankton, Dakota, and Mabel I., who resides with her parents.

Jeremiah Phillips was born in Bethlehem in 1813, where he resided until 1835. In 1843 he purchased a farm in Bethlehem, which was unbroken for- est. This hundred acres he cleared and converted into an excellent farm. The timber he converted largely into charcoal, which he sold at the iron foundries at Franconia. When their son Lemuel was eight years old, and a daughter, Lucy Ann, five, the two children were engaged in paring turnips with an ax, when by some means the boy cut off three of his little sister's fingers. The young child, on seeing what had happened, exclaimed : "There ! I can never work to get a living." Then, instantly, a bright thought came to her, and she said, "I can teach school." In 1870 Mr. Phillips removed to this town and settled on road 47, where he now resides. He married Lois Fisher, of Dalton, and they have four children, of whom Warren lives in Nashua ; Clement J. married Etta M. Bean, of Lisbon, and carries on liis father's farm. The daughter who in childhood lost her fingers, married Charles Cole and lives in Minnesota, and Lemuel lives in this town.

Nathan Kinne came from Old Pomfret, Conn., in 1794, and settled in Wa- terford, Vt. Before leaving Connecticut he married Betsey Farrington, and one child was born to them then and eight at Waterford. The third child, 32*

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Vine, married Roxana Gould. He died in 1860, from an accident caused by a fall from a load of straw, at Barnet, Vt. Nathan, Jr., married Char- lotte Hayward, of Berlin, Vt., and they had three children. He removed to this town in 1850, locating on road 31, where he now resides.

Reuben Phillips was born in Lisbon, then called Concord, in 1805. He removed with his parents to Bethlehem in 1809, where he lived until about thirty years ago, when he came to this town, When eighteen years of age he united with the Free Will Baptist church, at Bethlehem, which then num- bered a hundred members, only four of whom are now living. When twen- ty-one years of age he was acquainted with every inhabitant of Littleton vil- lage, and it is said there are now only three living who were then heads of families.

Asa Coburn is a native of Wheelock, Vt., where he resided until five years of age, when his parents removed to Springfield. At the age of thirteen he had a severe attack of rheumatism, which rendered him unable to walk with- out crutches for six years, and also dislocated his right hip, causing that. limb to become much shorter than the other. When of age he became an apprentice to the harness-maker's trade, with Dea. Dexter Everett, of New London. When twenty-two he experienced religion and joined the Baptist church, at New London. In 1854 he came to this town, and since that date has carried on the harness-making business. He married Hannah Carle- ton, of Colebrook, and they have had nine children, seven of whom are liv- ing. George C. and Charles R. reside in this town. John is postmaster and druggist at East Canaan. Sarah married Wilber Clark and lives in Dakota. Abby married a Mr. Cribbs, of Wisconsin. Clara married Sabatha Lovejoy, also of Wisconsin. Ida married W. P. Davis, of White River Junction, Vt.

Franklin R. Glover was born in Woodstock in 1825, living there until 1856, when he removed to this town and settled where he now resides, on road 48. He married, first, Phebe Streeter, of Bethlehem, who died in 1877, leaving six children, and second, Alma C. Whipple, of Lisbon. Mr. Glover, besides farming, keeps a summer resort, his place being on an eminence in a healthy and pleasant locality. Of his children, Charles H. is a glove maker, married Anna Remick, of this town, and resides in the village. He is a mem- ber of the Littleton brigade band. Joseph is also a glove-maker and a mem- ber of the above named band. One daughter is a tailoress, and, with three younger children, resides with her parents.

John W. English was born in Waitsfield, June 13, 1824. With his parents he removed to Hartland, Vt., in 1829. In 1856, he removed to South Woodstock, Vt., and in 1860, to this town. Here he engaged in farming where Henry Bacon now lives. In 1881 he removed to his present location, in the village. He married Melissa Hubbard, of this town, and they have two children living, Fred H., a member of the firm of Eaton & English, and Eugene G., a gradu- ate of Eastman's business college, Poughkeepsie N. Y.

William Harriman was born in Barnet, Vt. When ten years of age he re-

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moved with his parents to Dalton, and in 1860 he came to this town. In 1863 he enlisted in Company I, Ist N. H. heavy artillery, and served one year, stationed at Fort Reno. After returning from the war he was a carpenter in Littleton village for sixteen years, when he settled on a farm on road 22, where he now resides. He married Lucy H. Thayers, a native of Waitsfield, Vt., and they have one son, Henry D., a student at the high school.

Dennis Wheeler was born in Bethlehem, in 1822, of parents who where both natives of that town. His younger days were spent upon the farm. When of age he went to Massachusetts and lived at South Woburn. He came to Littleton in 1863, and lived on a farm in the west part of the town, on the Connecticut river. From there he removed to the village, where he pursued the business of painting for ten years. For ten years previous to 1882 he was engaged in the manufacture of starch, at Presque Isle, Me. Of late he has done considerable at settling estates. For a number of years he has been selectman of the town. He married Eliza K. Blandin, of Bethlehem. They have no children.

Gabriel G. Moulton, born in Lyman in 1810, removed to this town in 1864 and settled upon a farm on road 41, where he has since resided. He married Sophia Walker, of Lyman, and after her death, in 1850, he married Hannah Hoskins, also a native of Lyman. He has five children living-two sons and three daughters. The eldest, Moses W., lives in McLean county, Illinois ; Ansel A., at Bellows Falls, Vt. ; Ellen S. married Joel Eastman, and now, widowed, resides in Lisbon ; Minerva married David Weeks, of Concord, Vt., and Louisa W. married Augustus Hill, of Holden, Ill.

Mitchell Salway and his wife were both born in the Province of Quebec. He came to this state forty-two years ago, and his wife (Matilda R. Cush- ion) came to Vermont about the same time. They were married in 1865, and have lived in this town since that date. They have a family of six chil- dren of their own and two orphan children.

Elisha Smith was born in Barnstable, but spent most of his life up to 1865 in Nantucket, Mass. He has resided in this town twenty years. He was a ship builder at Nantucket for thirty years, where he built the first steamboat ever used in California. It was built and shipped in sections to the Golden Gate in 1849, about which time five hundred young men went out from Nantucket to California. He married Nancy Meader, of Nantucket, and they have one daughter, Mary, who married Isaac R. Wilson of Trenton, N. J.

Gen. Edward Oakes Kenney, for many years a conspicuous figure in the social, political, educational and business circles of Grafton county, was born in Bethlehem, N. H., November 16, 1816, and died in Littleton August 6, 1863. He early commenced business in Bethlehem as a merchant and was very successful. In 1852 he removed to Littleton, and engaged in the lum- ber business, which he followed successfully for many years, owning and oper- ating mills at Whitefield. Those acquainted with that traffic at that time of brisk competition, uncertain land titles, and distant markets, say that the in-

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dispensable qualifications for success were unerring judgment in the purchase of lands and timber, care in manufacture, vigilant oversight of many subor- dinates, ready appreciation and power to forecast the wants of builders, inces- sent watchfulness of far away markets, and wise discretion in sales and com- mand of capital. In all these, as well as the extent of his operations, Gen. Keeney was scarcely surpassed by any of his competitors and contemporaries in the state, and acquired a good fortune. In other and broader business enterprises he was known as an able counsellor, a shrewd financier and an energetic worker. As a director of the old White Mountain railroad he gave valuable service in extricating it from the numerous difficulties in which it was involved, and received the hearty support of both of the rival factions of the stockholders. In political circles he was a power to be felt. Always an unswerving Democrat, he had a deep reverence for the Federal constitution, which, like Thomas Jefferson, he deemed the bulwark of American liberty, and every departure from its teachings a wandering from the truth and a peril to the national existence. He was never an office seeker. Such positions as were given him he filled to general satisfaction. He was appointed post- master of Bethlehem in 1837, and held the office until his voluntary resigna- tion in 1845, in spite of the partisan bitterness and prejudice in and following the excitement of the Harrison"log cabin" campaign of 1840, and the efforts of a few to have him removed. He was elected representative for Bethlehem in the state legislature in 1850 by a large majority, and re-elected the next year, receiving every vote cast but two. In this position, as elsewhere, the punctual and efficient performance of duty was his purpose and his achievement. He also filled various town offices with credit, both in Bethlehem and Littleton, yet, perhaps, declined more than he occupied. For many years he was a civil magistrate of the county and state. As trial justice he had possibly no equal in this section outside the legal profession. As auditor, receiver, arbitrator, referee, commissioner of the courts for special purposes and magistrate in pre- liminary trials of civil and criminal causes, his services were in frequent demand. In this work he gave universal satisfaction to suitors, and not one of his judgments was ever reversed by the appellate courts. Gen. Kenney attained his maturity when the militia system of the state was at its prime. One of his chief delights was in the study of military affairs, and he became particu- larly proficient in the " tactics. " He was drill master of the 8th brigade, N. H. militia, and his efficiency in drill and natural adaptation to the work was rewarded by his regular promotion to the rank of brigadier general. He as- sisted in organizing the first levies of three-months' men at Portsmouth in 1861, and was in command of so much of this body as remained after the departure of the first regiment to the front. It is probable that he would have been made colonel of the second regiment had his health permitted, and he consented to serve. In educational matters Gen. Kenney always took an especial interest. For ten years he was almost continuously identified with the schools of Bethlehem as committee and superintendent. The latter

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office be held three years in Littleton. His published reports are clear, exhaustive and valuable contributions to educational work. He was twice married; first, in 1839, to Nancy S. Smith, of Brownington, Vt., who died October 15, 1850, leaving one child-Lorenzo C., now a brick manufacturer of Littleton ; second, to Livonia, daughter of Major Ezra Hale, of Litteton, a native of Bethlehem, who survives him. They had two children-Edward S., now a resident of Minneapolis, Minn., and Nellie S. (Mrs. W. H. Whit- ing.)

His family relations were harmonious and exemplary. He was devoted to his wife and children, and always held their honor and welfare nearest his heart. He believed that his first duty was to make the pathway of life smooth for them, and his memory is fragrant with his children and his children's chil- dren.

Henry Richardson was born in Lisbon, March 7, 1821, where he spent the years of his minority. He removed to Bethlehem in 1847, and engaged in the lumber business. About 1855 he returned to Lisbon where he carried on the same business, but in 1866 returned to this town, and engaged in livery business and farming which he continues. He married Mary J., daughter of James Clark, also a native of Lisbon, but at the time of her marriage a res- ident of Lyndon, Vt. They have three sons-Israel C., who married Nellie E Williams, of Lyndon, Vt., and is now in the livery business ; Leroy D. H., and Albert J. are young men still with their father.

Newton S. Cooley was born in Chelsea, Vt., in 1819. When twenty-one years of age he went to Boston, Mass., and learned the trade of plasterer and stucco worker, remaining in Boston until 1866, when he removed to this town, where he has carried on the business incident to his trade. In 1861 he en- tered the naval service of the United States, and in 1862 he received the appointment of master at arms, U. S. N., and continued in the service dur- ing the war. In 1856 he married Catherine York, of Boston, the marriage service being conducted by the late renowned Theodore Parker. Their fam- ily consists of one son and one daughter. Mrs. Cooley died in 1880.

Sylvester M. Hurlbutt was born in Dalton, a son of Chester Hurlbutt. He removed to this town twenty years ago, and settled on road 6 where he has ever since resided. His first wife was Rhoda Hildreth, of Victory, Vt., who bore him one daughter. His second wife was Ormacinda Edmands, of Dal- ton who also has one daughter.

Clarissa Walker, widow of Simeon, is the oldest female living in this town, being ninety-nine years of age. She was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1787. She came with her husband to this town in 1866, from Cabot, Vt. They have five children living, three in Massachusetts, one in Londonderry, and one, Franklin, on road 21, with whom the mother now resides. Her health is excellent, never having had a fit of sickness in her life. Franklin Walker married first, Caroline Colton, of Cabot, Vt., who left three children, and second, Martha Gile, a native of this town, by whom he has had one son, George E., now a school teacher.

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Charles W. Bedell was born in Bath, May 23, 1839. His father, Timothy Bedell, was injured by a log rolling over him, resulting in his death, when Charles was only three years old. His mother took care of the family of four children till three years after Mr. Bedell's death, when she married John Bailey, both of whom are now deceased. Charles W. came to this town in 1867. He married Mary Pennock, of Lisbon. Mr. Bedell is secretary of the White Mountain Grange, No. 50, Patrons of Husbandry.

Joel Bronson was born in Landaff, November 16, 1802. In 1840 he re- moved to Lyndon, Vt., where he engaged in farming for twenty-eight years, on a farm of 200 acres. In 1868 he removed to this town, settling on South street. His first wife was Ruth Hall, of Bethlehem, who died about 1874, one of their children now living being the wife of Hollis M. Parker, of this town. His second wife, now living, was the widow of Stillman Batchellor.

Jonathan F. Lovejoy was born in this town and always lived here, following farming on road 24. He married Laura Hubbard, also of this town, and they had seven children, six of whom are living, one having died in childhood. Charles W., now of this town, was a soldier in the late war, serving in the Ist N. H. cavalry. Amos H. and Warren W., lived on Auburn street. The latter was a soldier in the Ist Rhode Island Cavalry, and lost his right arm at Rapidan Station, Va. Ira W. was also a soldier in the 33d Mass. Inft'y. He was wounded in the battle at Lookout Mountain, on account of which he received his discharge. He is now living at Rochester, N. Y. Angie married Willard Hurlburt, of California. George E. is of the firm of Southworth & Lovejoy, merchants of this town.

John Pierce was born in Gardner, Mass, June 21, 1799. When twelve years of age he removed with his parents to Petersham. Mass., and at twenty he removed to Bethlehem, where he worked at chair making, farming and lumbering, owning and carrying on a saw-mill for twenty years. He retained the farm there until 1870, when he came to this town, locating on Main street. His first marriage was with Sarah Oaks, of Bethlehem, who died July 9, 1828, leaving two children, John, Jr., who resides in Bethlehem, and Edward, living at Flint, Mich. His second wife was Rebecca Cushman, who died in May, 1876, leaving five children, four of whom are now living-Sarah married E. D. Sawyer and lives in this town ; Eliza maried Horace Woodard, of Cold Water, Mich .; Mary married John G. Sinclair, now of Florida, and Franklin lives at Flint, Mich. While a resident of Behlehem Mr. Pierce was for a number of years selectman, and also represented the town in the state legis- lature four years. He was a delegte to the New Hampshire constitutional convention, has been an active business man, and is now well preserved for a gentleman of eighty-five years.

James Parker was born in Lisbon in 1806, and resided in that town until 1870, carrying on the tanning business in Lisbon village for thirty years. He held the offices of town clerk and selectman, and also represented Lisbon in the legislature of 1859-60. In 1870 he removed to this town, and here car-

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ried on the business of tanning until 1882, since which time he has lived in retirement. He married Betsey Blakesley, of Dalton, and they have eight children, viz .: Lewis H., who married Eva Aldrich ; William F .; Hattie, who married B. F. Wells, all reside in this town ; J. W., at Lisbon ; Jane M. mar- ried Dr. Kelsey, of Newport, Vt., who died in 1884; Esther A. married C. M. Colburn, a druggist of Brattleboro, Vt .; Carrie M. married G. F. Abbott, a druggist of Bethlehem ; Ellen W. married Joseph Atwood, who was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., in 1862.

William Eudy was born in Leyden, Mass., in 1801, where he lived until he attained his majority. In 1826 he removed to Bethlehem, and carried on a farm in that town until 1871, when he removed to this town, locating at North Littleton He married Nancy Swett, of Bethlehem, and has had eight chil- dren, only three of whom are living-Sarah, who married Benjamin Bean, and lives in Bethlehem ; Alonzo, resides in Easton ; and William D., who married Maria Brown, of Bethlehem, and resides with his father, on road I I.

Hon. James J. Barrett was born in Bethlehem, N. H., February 8, 1823, and died suddenly in Littleton, August 24, 1885, of neuralgia of the heart. His paternal grandfather, Thornton Barrett, with his family, came from Win- chendon, Mass., to Bethlehem, among the pioneers, and his father, Joseph, was one of its substantial farmers. His mother was Mary, daughter of William Kenney, who was also an early settler of Bethlehem. The pursuit of edu- cation occupied his early years ; the advantage he enjoyed being such as were furnished by the common schools and Newbury, Vt., seminary. Soon after the close of his school life he engaged in the insurance business, having a local office in Bethlehem, and traveling extensively through the neighboring towns, thus sowing the seed and establishing the confidence which contrib- uted so largely to his subsequent success. The completion of the railroad to Littleton, in 1853, attracted his attention this way, and in 1855 he located in this village, which was ever after his home. He was a complete master of the details of his business, and by hard and persistent labor and unremitting care for his patrons, as well as the companies he represented, he built up the largest business of the kind in Northern New Hampshire. In connection with this he did much conveyancing, making deeds, wills, drawing pension papers, etc., and acted as business adviser of a great number of people, especially among the farming community. He was ever found advocating the peaceable settlement of difficulties, when possible. It was largely through his enterprise and public spirit that the old land monopoly-the system of hold- ing real estate in mortmain-was broken up in Littleton, and the section south of the river opened up for building. An active participant in every movement to advance the material welfare of his town, Littleton is as largely indebted to him as to any one man, for its growth and prosperity in the past twenty-five years. Owning quite a tract of land east of his residence, suit- able for building sites, he laid out a street across it, planted the willows which adorn its borders and give it its name, improved the lots, and assisted worthy

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people to build houses thereon, furnishing means where they lacked, allow- ing them to repay in small instalments, in this way enabling many to secure homes of their own, by the payment of sums scarcely larger than the rents would be. Ever an unswerving Democrat, he took a deep interest in, and was a constant and efficient worker for, the success of his party. Hardly had he attained his majority, when he was chosen collector for his native town, serving in 1844-45-46, and in 1850-51-52-53, he was upon the board of selectmen, the latter years as chairman. In Littleton he served as selectman, town treasurer, and in minor offices, was chosen representative to the state legis- lature in 1866-67-68, where he took an active part on various committees. He closed his public career as senator from the old 12th district, in 1872. Being re-nominated, he declined to run, and in so doing favored the nomination of E. B. Parker, of Franconia, who succeeded him. When the news of the at- tack on Fort Sumpter startled the North, the excitement in Littleton became intense, and April 26, nine days after the momentious shot was fired, a mass- meeting was held, Mr. Barrett was chosen president, made a vigorous Union speech, and from that time on was one of the foremost in the work of raising men and means for the defense of the Union. An excellent presiding officer, he was regularly chosen moderator of town meetings in Littleton for many years.

In the ranks of Free Masonry Mr. Barrett took a high stand. He was made a Master Mason in Kane Lodge No. 64, of Lisbon, October 22, 1858, was exalted a R. A. M., in Franklin Chapter No. 5, of Lisbon, November 28, 1859, was created K. T., in North Star Commandery of Lancaster, July 30, 1864. One of the petitioners for a dispensation which was granted Feburary 12, 1859, for the establishment of Burns Lodge No. 66, at Littleton, (the charter for which was granted June 9, following,) he became one of its charter members and first J. W. ; and was also a charter member of St. Ger- ard Commandery, K. T., established in 1868, and its first Generalissimo serv- ing for four years. He was representative to the Grand Lodge in 1864, and'66. He maintained an active connection with the Masonic order during his life, and was buried with Masonic honors by St. Gerard Commandery and Burns Lodge, of Littleton.

His marriage to Lydia, daughter of Isaac Smith. a life-long resident of Brownington, Vt., occurred January 3, 1845, the domestic relations then formed proving peculiarly felicitous. Two sons and one daughter have blessed the union-George W. Barrett, who was born July 13, 1846, married Ella M. Taylor, and has two sons and one daughter ; Alice E., born December 22, 1851, died December 23, 1853; and Allien J., born September 17, 1857, mar- ried Ida M. Whitcher, and had one daughter who died in infancy, and one son living. G. W. and A. J. Barrett under the firm name of "Barretts" con- tinued the business established by their father.

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 68

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