Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 8

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 8

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Arthur Livermore, son of Chief Justice Arthur Livermore, born in Hold- erness, N. H., January 7, 1811, graduated from Dartmouth with the class of 1829. He read law with Hon. Jonathan Smith, of Bath, one year, com- pleted his legal studies with Hon. Jeremiah Mason, and was admitted to the bar in 1833. He first opened an office at Gilmanton Iron Works-now Bel- mont-there and at Lowell, Mass., he practiced till, in 1839, just prior to the

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death of Hon. Jonathan Smith, he removed to Bath and took his office and business. While in Bath he became largely interested in real estate in that and adjoining towns. He left Bath in 1859 and returned to Lowell. He was soon after appointed by President Lincoln consul to Londonderry, Ire- land, which office he has held under successive administrations up to the present time. His discharge of the duties of the office has given universal satisfaction. He is a man of much learning, and his correspondence dis- closes great elegance of style and felicity of expression.

Hon. Charles R. Morrison was born in Bath January 22, 1819, the son of William Morrison. He received his education in the schools of his native place and at Newbury, Vt., academy. Contrary to the advice of his instruct- ors he did not enter college, but directly on his graduation at Newbury began the study of law in the office of Goodall & Woods, at Bath. Upon his ad- mission to the bar at Haverhill, in 1842, he began the practice of his profes- sion in Bath. In three years, however, he removed to Haverhill, N. H., where he practiced till the summer of 1851, when he was commissioned, by Gov. Dinsmore, "Circuit Justice of the Court of Common Pleas," a position which he retained till the Know-Nothing ascendency in 1855. After a year's further practice in Haverhill he removed to Nashua, N. H. In September, 1862, soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion, he received a lieutenant- adjutant's commission from Governor Berry and served in that capacity till September, 1864, when he tendered his resignation and was honorably dis- charged. He has since made Manchester his home, and is still engaged in the practice there. He compiled and published the following : " A Digest of the N. H. Reports," " Town Officer," " Justice and Sheriff and Attorney's Assistants," " Probate Directory," and " Digest of School Laws.

David R. Lang .- (See Orford.)

Samuel H. Goodall was born in Bath, March 31, 1823. His father, Ira Goodall, received him, after his graduation at Dartmouth, in 1844, as a stu- dent in his own law office, and three years later formed with him a partner. ship which extended till the spring of 1853, when the son established at Portsmouth, N. H. After several years of successful practice he left Ports- mouth for Boston, where he still resides, following his profession.

Harry Bingham read law with Hon. Harry Hibbard, and later conducted his business at Bath, in connection with his own practice at Littleton, during Mr. Hibbard's term in congress. (See Littleton.)

William W. Hutchins was the son of William V. Hutchins, of Bath. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1845 and entered the Harvard Law school. Later he studied with Hon. Samuel Ingham, of Connecticut, and in 1848 he was admitted to the bar from the office of Hon. Harry Hibbard, of Bath. With the exception of a short stay at Haverhill, as assistant clerk of the court of Common Pleas, he resided till his death, in 1852, at Bath, in the practice of his profession.

John Bedel, son of Gen. Moody Bedel, was born in Indian Stream terri-

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tory, July 8, 1822. His younger years were spent in Bath, where he received his education at the public schools and at the seminary in Newbury, Vt. He began the study of law in Hon. Harry Hibbard's office. In 1847 he enlisted as a private in the Mexican war. In May of that year he was appointed sergeant, in December a lieutenant. For several months, in 1848, he com_ manded a company. Returning to Bath at the close of the war, he resumed his legal studies in Mr. Hibbard's office, doing at the same time quite an extensive pension business, in the capacity of claim agent. He was admit- ted to the bar in the spring of 1850, and went into partnership with Mr. Hib- bard. The partnership continued three years, when Mr. Bedel received an appointment in the Treasury department at Washington. Not the least im- portant branch of his duty in this position was the adjusting of claims with such government agents as had made ex-parte settlements with " Uncle Sam," and failed to pay over balances found to be due him. In prosecuting this portion of his business he brought to bear the same tireless energy and cease- less vigilance which characterized all his undertakings. He held this office for eight years, serving under both Pierce and Buchanan. In 1861, upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed major of the 3d regiment of N. H. Volunteers. In June, 1862, he was commissioned lieut .- colonel. April 1864, while a prisoner, he was commissioned colonel. He received a wound at Morris Island in June, 1863, and though suffering from its effects he re- turned to duty after less than a week's absence. On the night of July 18, 1863, during the assault upon Fort Wagner, he was captured on the ramparts and far in advance of his men. He was sent to Columbus, South Carolina, where he with other prisoners was kept in close confinement, suffering intensely from exposure and privation. Gen. Bedel, not submitting to the inhuman with such meekness and docility as was satisfactory to the prison officials, was put into solitary confinement, and kept until his parole, in August, 1864,-a period of five months. Immediately after his release, (after lying in prison for seventeen months,) he hastened to Washington, and sought an interview with the president, in which he detailed the horrible sufferings of himself and comrades and urged with great earnestness the necessity of speedy exchanges to relieve the distresses of those confined in Rebel prisons. There can be no doubt that this interview had much to do with bringing about that result. He returned at once to his regiment at Wilmington, N. C. He was appointed brigadier-general U. S. Vols., by brevet, for gallant and meritorious conduct and services, commission dating from March 13, 1865. He returned to Bath at the close of the war, and engaged extensively in the manufacture of starch. He represented Bath in the legislature in 1868-69, and was Democratic can- didate for governor in 1869, and again in 1870. In December, 1853, Gen. Bedel married Mary Augusta, daughter of the late Hon. Jesse Bourns, of Nashua, by whom he had seven children, only three of whom survive him. Gen. Bedel died February 26, 1875.

Alonzo P. Carpenter, son of Isaah Carpenter, was born at Waterford, Vt.,

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in 1829. He graduated at Williams college, class of 1849. He soon came to Bath, and taught the high school at the village for several terms. Among his pupils were Miss Julia R. Goodall, whom he afterwards married (in 1853), and Dr. William Child, of Bath. He read law with Hon. Andrew S. Woods, and with J. & S. H. Goodall, and was admitted to the bar in 1853. He formed a partnership with Hon. Ira Goodall which continued till 1856, when Mr. Goodall left New Hampshire. Mr. Carpenter continued in business at Bath, or that part of it known as the "Upper Village," occupying the old Goodall homestead. Mr. Carpenter was made solicitor in 1863, which posi- tion he filled till 1873. From that time till the repeal of the bankrupt law. he had, practically, all the bankruptcy practice in his section. He formed a partnership with his son Philip, in September, 1880, which continued till his appointment to the bench, in September, 1881, which position he is still fill- ing with signal ability. Judge Carpenter's name was prominently mentioned in connection with the vacancy on the bench of the United States Circuit Court, caused by the resignation of Judge Lowell, in the spring of 1884. His appointment was urged with great vigor and earnestness by the entire New Hampshire bar, and a majority of the Boston bar. Had the executive con- sidered the ability and fitness of the candidates, Judge Carpenter would have received the appointment. Judge Carpenter, in the fall of 1884, disposed of his landed interests in Bath, N. H., and removed to Concord, N. H., where he is at present living. Five children have been born to the family, all of whom are living-Lillian, the wife of Frank S. Streeter, Esq., of Concord, N. H .; Philip, a lawyer, in New York city ; Arthur, Edith and Helen.

Edward Woods, son of Hon. Andrew S. Woods, was born in Bath, October 24, 1835. He fitted for college at Phillip's, Exeter, and graduated from Dartmouth in the class of '56. After reading law with his father he was admitted to the bar at Haverhill, in 1859, and at once located in Littleton, as a member of the firm of Woods & Binghams. In 1862 he removed to Bath, and formed a partnership with his father, Judge Woods, who died the year following. Mr. Woods has since resided at Bath, having represented his town in the legislature of 1873-74, and acted many years as town treasurer. He was a member of Governor Weston's staff, with rank of colonel, in 1874. In April, 1863, he married Mary, daughter of John L. Carlton. Of their four children, Edward, Jr., Katherine E., Thomas Smith, and Andrew Salter, the last three are living.

Arthur E. Hutchins was a native of Bath, the son of the late Major C. C. Hutchins. On his graduation at Harvard he entered the office of Hon. A. P. Carpenter as a student. He was no sooner admitted to the bar than he enlisted and was serving under a lieutenant's commission when he was killed at the Wilderness.

George A. Bingham was located at Bath from 1850 to 1862, inclusive, as a member of the firm of Woods & Bingham. (See Littleton.)

Philip Carpenter, son of Hon. A. P. Carpenter, born in Bath March 9,

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1856, was educated at St. Johnsbury, Vt., and at Dartmouth college, gradu- ating from the latter institution in the class of 1877. He read law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1880, at Concord, N. H. He formed a partnership with his father, and began the practice at Bath in September, 1880. The partnership continued till Judge Carpenter's appointment to the bench in September, 1881. Mr. Carpenter contin- ued in practice at Bath alone, doing a large business, till January, 1882, when he entered the firm of Ray, Drew & Jordon, at Lancaster, N. H. He re. mained with this firm till June, 1885, when he removed to New York city, where he still resides, doing an extensive business, having his offices at 280 Broadway. He married Miss Fannie H. Rouse, of Winstead, Conn., Sep- tember 3, 1880. They have no children living.

BRISTOL .*- Bristol Village was mainly included in Bridgewater from 1788 to 1820. The names of the lawyers who have practiced here are, as a rule, in this article given in the order of their arrival in this place or commence- ment in the practice.

David Smiley, practiced in this village (then Bridgewater) in 1808 and 1809. It is understood that he removed to Grafton, N. H., and was the father of Dr. Smiley, of that place.

Moses H. Bradley, son of John and Hannah (Ayer) Bradley, was born at Concord, March 15, 1782, and died there June 22, 1834. He was at Bridge- water in 1812, and, with the exception of 1813 and 1814, was taxed as a res- ident in that town or Bristol till 1834. He was married, but had no children. He was a member of the school committee, 1824, 1825, 1826, representative to General Court in 1823, state senator from the Bristol district in 1824. In 1813 and 1814 he was probably in practice at Sanbornton. He was a grad- uate of Dartmouth college in the class of 1807, a lawyer of fair ability, but not an advocate.

Nathaniel G. Upham, a graduate of Dartmouth college, class of 1820, was the son of Hon. Nathaniel and Judith Cogswell Upham. He was born at Rochester, and began the practice of law at Bristol in 1824, and removed thence to Concord in 1829. He was the first signer of the constitution and by-laws of the First Congregational church, in Bristol, in 1826. He was a judge of the Superior Court of N. H., from 1833 to 1843. In 1853 he was sent to London as commissioner for the adjustment of claims between the United States and Great Britain. He was the recipient of the degree of LL. D. from Dartmouth college in 1862. He was twice married, and died in 1869.

Soon after leaving the bench, Judge Upham became superintendent of the Concord railroad, and held the office during the remainder of his life. He was a man of executive ability and skill, as is indicated by the fact that the property of that corporation became the most valuable of any in the state, as much by reason of its management as by the peculiarly favorable location.

*By Ira S. Chase, Esq.

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Benjamin F. Weeks was a resident according to the town records of 1831, 1832. He came from Warren, N. H., and went west in 1832 or 1833.

George Minot, a brother of Hon. Josiah Minot, was born at New London, August 10, 1806. He read law with Hon. N. G. Upham. He was a resi- dent of Bristol in 1829, according to the records of the town; then removed to Concord with Judge Upham. Having been admitted to the bar, he re- turned to Bristol, and practiced his profession a year or two, being assessed as a resident in 1833 and 1834. He located temporarily at Gilmanton, and permanently at Concord. He married a daughter of George Reynolds Clark, of Portsmouth, May 1, 1839. He was cashier and president of the Mechan- ic's Bank of Concord, treasurer of Merrimac county, and of the B. C. & M. railroad. He died at Concord, March 8, 186 1.

George M. Phelps came to Bristol, from Hill, where he was formerly in practice. He was not much of a lawyer, and some authorities make other points in regard to his career. He was assessed as a resident of Bristol in 1335. He remained in the place but a short time.

Samuel H. Stevens was a son of John and Ruhamah (Fifield) Stevens, born at East Kingston, November 20, 1802. He read law with Stephen C. Lyford, of Meredith, and Daniel M. Christie, of Dover. He began practice in Bristol in 1833, and remained there till 1846. He resided for a time in Maine, was made cashier of the bank at Exeter in 1849, and resigned the position in 1858. July 27, 1840, he married Sophronia, daughter of Moses Sanborn, of Kingston. He was a graduate of Dartmouth college, class of 1830, and died in 1876.

Ralph Metcalf was in practice here a short time between 1838 and 1840. . (See Plymouth.)

Frederic Bartlett is another son of Bristol who is enrolled among her law practitioners. He was a son of Ichabod C. and Anne S. Bartlett, born November 29, 1815. His academic education was at the New Hampton Institute, and collegiate at Dartmouth. His law studies were commenced under Judge Nesmith and prosecuted also at the law schools of Cambridge and New Haven. His location in practice has been at Bristol, and for a time he was a member of the law firm of Bartlett & Bryant. In recent years he has not been much engaged in legal matters, except in the Probate courts. He was married in 1845, and has four children. He has represented Bristol in the state legislature at different times, and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. He is a Congregationalist and Oddfellow. Mr. Bartlett indulged a lively interest in practical agriculture. He owns one of the finest farms in Bristol.

Josiah Minot entered upon the practice at Bristol, in 1840, and went thence to Concord, about 1844, where he has since resided. He was a native of Bristol, born September 17, 1819, the son of James and Sally (Wilson) Minot. He read law with Hon. J. J. Gilchrist, of Charlestown, and Hon. S. D. Bell. He was justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas from 1852 to 5*

70.

GRAFTON COUNTY.

1855 and United States commissioner of pensions in 1855. He married Abbie P. Haines, of Canterbury, August 24, 1843. Mr. Minot has been a prominent Democrat for many years, having been an influential party leader in his own state, and prominent in the national councils, as delegate to national conventions, and member of the national committee. He is regarded by those who know him best as one of the most astute business men in the state. He grasps great enterprises with facility, and his abilities command positions at the head of movements with which he is identified. In later years he has been intimately connected with some of the most important railroads and banking institutions in the state. As a lawyer in the strictest sense of the term he has maintained a standing in the front rank for forty years. He is a joint donor with Hon. S. S. Sleeper, of Cambridge, Mass., of the elegant public library building at Bristol.

George B. Burns was here in 1847 and 1848. He then sold his business to Napoleon B. Bryant.

Napoleon B. Bryant continued in the practice of law in Bristol until 1853, when he disposed of his business to Lewis W. Fling. (See Plymouth).

George Tenney was a practitioner of the law at Bristol several years be- tween 1850 and 1860. He was a son of Benjamin and Betsey (Taylor) Tenney, born at Groton, N. H., February 12, 1821. He graduated at Dart- mouth college in the class of 1847. He married Eluthera Malvina, daughter of Isaac Bissell, of Hanover, June 23, 1852. He removed from Bristol to Concord and died in 1880.

Lewis W. Fling, since 1853, has been a practitioner at Bristol. (See Went- worth).

Samuel K. Mason was a native of the town of New Hampton, born May 17, 1832. He was prepared for college at the New Hampton Literary in- stitute to enter one year in advance ; but did not pursue a collegiate course further. In the spring of 1854 he entered the law school at Poughkeepsie ,. N. Y., but completed the course at the law school of Hamilton college. He was admitted to the bar in New York city. Returning to New Hampshire he studied for some nine months in the office of Judge Hibbard, at Laconia, and then opened an office in Bristol, where he established a successful busi- ness and remained till his death.

In politics Mr. Mason was an earnest and decided Republican though not a voilent partisan until the Sumner, Shurz and Trumbull break in the senate of the United States in 1871-72. He held the office of postmaster of Bristol from 1861 to 1868. Having been elected to the legislature at the latter date, he resigned the federal office. He represented the town three years succes- sively, and took an active position on the Republican side in that body, en- gaging frequently in debate. He was also twice appointed one of the commis- sioners for Grafton county, by the court, holding the office in all about four years.

When the liberal Republican movement was inaugurated in 1872, Mr. Mason

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indentified himself with it, and continued steadfast to that cause. He was the liberal Republican nominee for Governor in 1873. His letter of acceptance is remembered as an able political document. He was with his party in its coalition with the Democracy, and in 1874 was appointed judge of Probate for Grafton county by Governor Weston. He filled this office acceptably for two years and was with the rest of his party associates in office a subject of this general removal for "political reasons only." In 1858 he married Miss Helen M. Smith, of Bristol, and they had one child, a daughter.

Mr. Mason was for many years an invilid, but he held bravely to the many duties of life which called for his attention until he was literally forced to surrender. He was genial in manners and firm in principal.

Kensel E. Dearborn, a native of Hill, N. H., born April 22, 1844, was ad- mitted to the bar in 1873, and has since been in practice at Bristol. He is a son of Selwyn C. Dearborn. His academic education was at the New Hampton Literary Institution, and his law study was with Hon. Davis W. Fling. He has been married, but his wife is now deceased. He has four children. He has held various offices at Bristol, but more frequently those relating to school affairs. He is now a member of the board of education.

Ira A. Chase is a son of Bristol, born March 25, 1854. His parents are Ira S. and Cordelia P. (Simonds) Chase, his father being a well-known phy- sician of the place. The son was educated at the Bristol high school, the New Hampton Literary Institution, and Dartmouth college, where he gradu- ated in 1877. He was a law student of Mr. Fling, admitted by examination under the new rules at Concord in 1881. His denominational connections are with the Orthodox Congregationalists. He is an active Free-mason, hav- been master of Union Lodge several years and a recipient of the more ad- vanced degrees. He has been frequently called to official stations, as super- visor of check lists, and member of the board of education in Bristol, besides serving as assistant clerk of the state Senate for the past two legislative ses- sions. He has fairly earned the promotion in this direction, which usage of the party accords.

CANAAN *.- There were no lawyers among the early settlers of Canaan. Every man felt himself constrained to be neighborly, friendly and forbearing, because each one was dependent upon every other one for some of the com- forts in their rough life. Settlement of disputes, conveyancing, &c., were at- tended to first by George Harris after 1767, William Ayer about 1780, Thomas Baldwin, and perhaps others.

Nathaniel Farrar came into town about 1792, a lawyer who, with strong assurance, told the people they needed him, or, at any rate, he needed them. They appeared to be thrifty and to have many nice questions in law to talk over, and he proposed to stay and get his living among them. He remained here about two years, and in that time occurred the first lawsuit in town, over

* By W. A. Wallace.

GRAFTON COUNTY.

a stolen horse, which created such a strong sentiment against Mr. Farrar, that he soon left Canaan.

In 1807 Thomas Hale Pettingill, a graduate from Dartmouth college in 1804, and just admitted to the bar, settled in Canaan. He was a son of Benjamin and Polly Pettingill, of Salisbury, born in 178r, read law with John Harris, of Hopkinton. He built the house now owned by Judge Blodgett, of Boston, and opened an office in one of the rooms in the spring of 1808. At first he met with indifferent success. The old prejudice against lawyers was active ; but he persevered, and when told there was no good use for his kind of men he would simply shrug his shoulders and-wait. He had not long to wait-not more than a year, before he had the whole town by the ears. His labors necessitated the appointment of a sheriff. The next im- portant thing was a court ; and from that day until now Canaan has never been without a lawer with his attendant sheriff and court. Mr. Pettingill's diligence and success surprised his friends. Mr. Pettingill resided in Canaan until 1822, when he returned to his native Salisbury, where he continued to reside until his death.

Elijah Blaisdell, born in Canaan, October, 30, 1782, son of Hon. Daniel and Sally (Spinger) Blaisdell. About 1802 he married Mary Fogg, of Hamp- ton, and settled in Pittsfield, a shoemaker. At the age of 27, with a wife and three children dependent upon his labors, he concluded that shoemaking was not his strong point. He might get rich, but he never would become famous ; so laying aside his last and apron, he entered an office in Montpelier Vt., and for three years applied himself to the study of law. He was admit- ted to the bar. For a few months he loitered about in search of a location. He tried Grafton, and Danbury, but the people were not sufficiently litigious. In the fall of 1812 he came to Canaan Street, where T. H. Pettingill had already a court with all its machinery in full blast. Here he lived and labored until 1833, when he sold out and removed to Lebanon, and died there about 1862. He held the office of judge of Probate for several years, during the suprem- acy of the Democracy. He represented Canaan in the legislature two years, in 1827-28. He served in all town offices. In politics he began as a Feder- alist. Before the inauguration of Jackson, in 1829, he visited Washington to witness the ceremonies. He was received with so much affability by the old General that he became his warm supporter, and ever after voted and talked as a Democrat.

Mr. and Mrs. Blaisdell had three children born to them in Pittsfield, and eight in Canaan. He was twice married, his second wife was Mrs. Mary Kingsbury, of Plainfield, N. H.

George Kimball, born in Harvard, Mass., in 1787, son of Benjamin and Nancy (Wilder) Kimball, was graduated from Dartmouth college, in 1809, read law and was admitted to the bar. In 1813 he settled in practice at Union, Me .; thence to Warren, Me., in 1814 ; was a successful teacher in the public schools at Concord, and Richmond, Va., and afterwards in the island of Bur-

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 8

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