USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886 > Part 82
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Charles S. Bunker, born in Barnstable, in 1811, learned the granite cutter's trade, and moved to Groton Hollow about 1850, where he lived three years. He resided in Plymouth two years, and came to Rumney soon after. He married Sarah P., daughter of William and Harriet (Morris) Conover in 1833, and reared four sons and three daughters, viz : Charles E., George H., Hen- riette F., Harriet E., Sarah M., (Mrs. Henry Alexander), of Portland, Albert C., who died in 1883, and Lewis F. Mr. Bunker died in 1860. His widow resides in the village. Charles E. was married in 1866, and has had born to him six sons. Mr. Bunker came to this town when sixteen years of age, is engaged in farming, is town clerk, and resides in the village.
Blaisdel H. Merrill, son of Seth and Elmira (Maynard) Merrill, was born in Concord, N. H., and came to Rumney in 1835 with his father. He mar- ried Sarah, daughter of James and Lucy Woodman, in 1858, and has had born to him five daughters, as follows: Georgiana, Lucy, who died in in- fancy, Carrie, Lucia M. and Agnes K. Mr. Merrill is a farmer, and resides on road 25. Robert B. Merrill, son of Seth and Elmira (Maynard) Merrill, was born in 1835, married Eliza A., daughter of David and Phebe (Rowan) Merrill, in 1858. He served five years in the late war in Co. E., 3d Mich. Cav., and was at the battle of Corinth. He located at Rumney in 1866. He has been engaged in railroad bridge building, and resides at West Rumney.
Frederick P. Glover, son of Robert, was born in 1832, learned the ma- chinist trade, and located in Rumney, on Clark's brook, in 1860. He mar- ried Lucy A. Fifield, and has had born to him two sons and one daughter, viz. : Nellie F. (Mrs. W. E. Walker), Everett F. and Charles E. Everett F. married Laura Hutchins in 1877, and has one son, Louie R., born in 1878. F. P. Glover is a wheelwright and machinist and resides on road 22.
Richard B. Clark, son of Rev. John Clark, was born at Groton in 1830. married Sarah S., daughter of William Gault, in 1855, and became the father of three sons and one daughter, as follows : Charles F., born in 1856, Jennie H., Willie R., born in 1863, and Georgie P. M., born in 1872. He owns what was formerly the town farm, consisting of 150 acres, and is proprietor of Daisy Cottage, a summer boarding-house, located on road 18, near Quincy station.
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Frederick McIntosh, born at Boston Highlands, in 1840, learned the clock-making trade and became an electrician. He married Mary J., daugh- ter of Hamilton and Mary (Shute) Barrett, of Plymouth, in 1872, and had born to him two daughters, Martha Grace, born in 1873, and Florence Maria, born in 1878. Mr. McIntosh came to Rumney in 1873, and bought the William Chase farm of 100 acres, at West Plymouth. He died in Boston, April 28, 1880, killed by a fall from an elevator. His widow keeps a board- ing-house at Bijou Cottage, at West Plymouth.
Reuben Robie, son of Richard, was born at Corinth in 1833, and married Eveline B. Church, of Vermont, in 1854. His son George W. is baggage- master on the Boston & Lowell railroad, and Reuben W. is salesman in Joseph Abbott's store at Rumney. Mr. Robie resides at Rumney village.
William W. Fales, Jr., was born in 1853, married Anna N., daughter of Joseph Sherburne, January 21, 1871, and has four daughters, namely, Alice Belle, Cora May, Eva Delle and Daisy Maude. Mr. Fales is a farmer, and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber. His mill and residence is located near the outlet of Stinson pond.
Alonzo Avery, son of Joseph and Johanna (Hill) Avery, was born in Ells- worth in 1851, married Ella J., daughter of William W., Sr., and Mary A. (Guild) Fales, March 25, 1875, and has three children. Mr. Avery owns a farm of 150 acres, and resides near Stinson pond, on road 3.
Gardner Avery, son of Daniel, was born in 1848, married Laura J., daugh- ter of William W. Fales, Sr., in 1873, and has one daughter, Mary Ella, born in 1874. Mr. Avery is engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and his mill and residence are located on Stinson brook, on road 6.
Hiram M. Farnsworth, born at Haverhill in 1822, married Mira J., daugh- ter of Mason Phelps, in 1845, moved to Wentworth, where he engaged in farming, and came to Rumney in 1867. His children were as follows: Belle C., Clarence A., who died in infancy, Emma L. (Mrs. Velorus Thurston), of Indiana, Eva M. (Mrs. Freeman Collins), and Clarence L. Mrs. Farnsworth owns the Addison Kelley farm, on road 24.
Oliver Doe, son of Jacob and Sarah (Jones) Doe, was born in 1821, mar- ried Lovina P. Colton in 1846, and has reared two sons and two daughters, namely, Warren W., of Florida, Eugene G., Ellen M. and Belle M. Eugene G., born in 1849, married Hattie M. Swain in 1876. Of his children Harry E. died October 7, 1877, Frank J. was born in 1879, and Harold O. died in 1883. Oliver Doe is a farmer and lives in the village. Eugene is also a farmer and resides in the eastern part of the village.
Clinton F. Preston, son of Joseph and Betsey (Burnham) Preston, was born in 1826, and married Rachel, daughter of Hazen Abbott, in 1867. He served three years in the late war, enlisting in Co. A .. 12th N. H. Vols., and was wounded at Chancellorsville, He owns and occupies the S. Lucas farm of eighty acres, on road 23.
Israel Hardy, son of David, was born at Groton, in 1809, and married Pa-
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melia, daughter of Josiah French in 1835. Of his children, Baxter P. was born in 1841, and Harriet was born in 1849, and died in 1870. The for- mer married Mattie L., daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Clark) Wyatt, and has two children-Hattie May, born in 1873, and Ernest B., born in 1876. Mr. Hardy built a mill on Clark's brook, manufactures ice-hook handles and other wood work and owns and occupies the Capt. Jonathan Clark place, of 100 acres, on road 21.
J. D. Colburn, son of Uriah, was born at Wentworth, in 1833, and at the age of twenty-two years he engaged in the woolen and grist-mills, which oc- cupation he followed about fourteen years He married Adaline Downing, and has had born to him two sons and two daughters, viz .: Nettie A., who married Frank P. White, of Woodsville; Fred A., who was born in 1858, and works on the farm with his father; David A., born in 1863 ; and Linda J., born in 1869. Mr. Colburn came to Rumney in 1881, and owns the Moses Kelly farm of 250 acres, located in West Rumney on road 24.
David Dustan Keniston, son of William and Sarah (Morrison) Keniston, was born at Sanbornton, in 1801, married twice, first, Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Cone, of Thornton, who bore him three sons and six daughters, as follows: Marinda (Mrs. William Currier), of Concord, Sarah (Mrs. Chase Leavitt), of Plymouth, David, who died in infancy, Mary ( Mrs. Dexter Mer- rill), Hannah (Mrs. Dorthey), of Manchester, Maloma (Mrs. Addison), of Concord, John, who died at the age of seven years, Ellen, who married Mar- cus M. Emerson, of this town, and George D., who resides here. His first wife died in 1852, and he married his second wife in 1853, who bore him chil- dren as follows: Edward, Hattie, Julia, Carrie, Susie, Elvia and Charles S. The last mentioned was born in 1856, married Elvira Williamson, in 1879, and has one son and one daughter, David and Edna Blanche. George D., born in 1831, married Carrie Melligan, in 1875, has two sons, George E. and Earl V., and is a granite cutter at the village. Mr. Keniston resides on his farm, on road 17.
Rev. K. S. Hall, D. D .*- Rightly to estimate achievement in any depart- ment account must be taken alike of the impelling and repelling forces, the aids and hindrances, the encouragements and rebuffs, which have combined to make it what it is. Heredity, social position, wealth, poverty, dictate most careers. Social aptitude, wise training and family influence, send countless num- bers of men triumphantly to their goal ; while the want of these often makes every step wearisome and success well nigh impossible. The thoughts of one man move to the music of rhyme and rhythm, and he cannot but choose to be a poet. Those of another clothe themselves in the snorous language, the felicitous expressions of an orator ; the imagination of a third is an exhaustless fountain overflowing in pen pictures which delight the world. We admire the result ; yet we remember that the genius of each was given, not won. An illustrious name, an attractive physique, a graceful address, smooth the way for merit,
*Prepared by S. H. Quincy, of Lancaster, Mass.
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commend it to notice, make it conspicuous to the common eye, and this we perceive. It is the battle which is fought without adventitious aid, but against the odds of hostile circumstances, which excites our deepest sympathy and our most hearty praise. These ideas apply with striking force to Rev. King Sol- omon Hall, of Lake Village, N. H. He was born in Groton, N. H., October 22, 1819, the offspring of Josiah and Sarah White Hall. His ancestors were New England pioneers. Richard Hall settled in Bradford, Mass., in 1673, and was made freeman in 1676. He was deacon of the church in that town from 1682 until his death, March 9, 1730. John2, born March 21, 1673, married, December 24, 1706, Mary Kimball, of Bradford, Mass. He was also dea- con. His son, Henry3, born November 23, 1712, married Joanna Sargent in 1734, and resided in " Hall's Village," Chester, N. H. Henry4, born May 30, 1740, married Betsey Bradley, of Haverhill, Mass. He was among the first settlers of Rumney, where he died at the advanced age of more than ninety years. He was a lieutenant in the Revolution. John5 was born in Chester, N. H., May 15, 1762. He removed to Rumney in 1773, with his father, who settled on the farm now (1886) owned and occupied by Hon. J. W. Pep- pard. On reaching manhood he came into possession of the farm, living in a log cabin until 1800, when he built the two story frame house in which he resided until his death, in 1850. He married, June 5, 1783, Ruth, daughter of Jedediah Prescott, of Deerfield, N. H., a lineal descendant of James Pres- cott, one of the pioneers of Hampton, N. H , and'in 1694, one of the grantees of the town of Kingston. Josiah, oldest child of John and Ruth (Prescott) Hall, was born in Rumney, November 28, 1784. He died January, 1823, leaving a family of six children in circumstances of indigence, mainly de- pendant for support on their widowed mother. In the early spring of 1827, King S., the youngest of five sons, went to reside in a farmer's family of his native town, where he remained about seven years.
The facilities afforded him in childhood for acquiring an education were extremely limited. From the age of six to fourteen he attended the district school about six weeks each year in winter, none being held in summer. These were kept in private houses, no school-house having been built until after he left the district. The seats and desks were of the rudest pattern, the former being made of slabs, with legs fitted into the oval sides. In very cold weather it was necessary for comfort to draw the seats around the open fire. The childhood of Mr. Hall was overcast with many shadows. While kindly cared for, as the world goes, his sources of pleasure were meagre ; no mother's companionship cheered him in his daily tasks, and his father's voice was silent in the grave. The elasticities of youth were checked, and left a deep impression on his future character. The stern battle of life was begun. At the age of fifteen he found employment in a factory in Lowell, where he remained about four years.
In the spring of 1839 he attended a select school, taught by Miss Mary A. Spaulding, at Rumney, where, at the age of nineteen, he commenced the study
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of English grammar. The writer, a member of the same school, well remem- bers how keenly he felt the loss of early training, and how deeply he deplored the fact that he was so far behind many so much younger than himself. But a new revelation inspired him with fresh zeal. He clearly saw the necessity of educational acquisition. A new life opened before him, which was filled with promise, though inany discouragements darkened his daily life. He had no advantage of early study ; consequently his abilities for acquisition were not rapid. But he was thoroughly in earnest, and he here developed the careful and patient investigation which were marked characteristics of his after career. In the autumn of the same year he entered the academical department of the New Hampton Institution and graduated from the theological department of the same school in 1845. The writer, a room-mate for two years, clearly re- calls his heroic struggles during this critical period of his life. He was entirely dependent on his own earnings for support. Not the gift of a dollar did he ever receive from a relative after he was seven years of age. But some friends in Rumney and New Hampton, touched by his manly efforts to secure an edu- cation, rendered him some assistance, which, although small in amount. was most gratefully received. He taught school during the winters, together with evening schools in singing, writing and geography ; and during the latter part of his connection with the institution, besides occasionally preaching elsewhere, he regularly supplied, for several terms, the pulpit of the Baptist church in Danbury, frequently walking fifteen miles to reach an appointment. During one term, while other students were engaged in recreation, he cultivated the soil, giving the proceeds for a copy of "The Religious Encyclopædia." But these struggles with adverse elements were not without reward. He never grew discouraged, and these fierce contests were daily developing into a sturdy manhood. With self reliance came firmness and moral strength. He was sedate, perhaps a native feature of his character, enhanced by the surround- ings of his boyhood and his earliest recollections, mingled with poverty and the laborious toil of his mother's needle. Still, he was always cheerful, and had a host of friends. The frivolities and merry-makings, in which too many of the young men engaged, had no alurements for him. His aims in life were too serious, his efforts too arduous, his time too precious to give to any hours spent in such amusements, the glitter of even a passing pleasure.
In the first term of his academic course he had become deeply interested in a religious life, and, in November, 1839, he was baptised and received into the Baptist church in Rumney, and by the same licensed to preach in Septem- ber, 1840. During this period of his life, he had the aid of high religious con- victions, and in his greatest straits found comfort and strength from the Father, who, out of this severe discipline, was to raise an efficient helper in his earthly vineyard. The same patient study was continued. No subject was left until thoroughly understood, and what had been somewhat slowly acquired was not forgotten. He graduated with credit to himself, and with the confidence and well wishes of the entire faculty. His after-life belongs to the Baptist denomination of the State.
yours truly, t. J. Hall
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He was ordained as pastor of the Baptist church in Hopkinton, N. H., April 22, 1846, having supplied them regularly from the September previous. On the 30th of July, 1847, at Warner, N. H., he was married to Ann Eliza- beth, daughter of Dr. Caleb and Eliza Follansbee Buswell. He was dis- missed September 30, 1851 ; settled with the church at Lake Village, Octo- ber 1, 1851 ; dismissed February, 1859; with the Merrimack street church, Manchester, March 30, 1859, dismissed October 1, 1862 ; with the church at Methuen, Mass., October 1, 1862, dismissed April 30, 1867 ; with the church at Lake Village, May 1, 1867, dismissed August 1, 1880; with the church at Rumney, April 17, 1881, having supplied its pulpit during the pre- vious six months, dismissed October 1, 1883. It is safe to say that, during this long period of thirty-seven years of active pastoral work, the ministry of Mr. Hall was remarkably successful. He was thoroughly devoted to his call- ing, and his whole heart was enlisted in the salvation of mankind. He was warmly welcomed to the several churches at his settlements, and when the stern decree of duty called him away, there were very many grieving friends. The amount of good that he accomplished will never be known until the veil is lifted from the future. He will have many stars in the crown of his rejoicing. As an illustration applicable to all his parishes, I quote from the history of the First Baptist church in Methuen, published in the minutes of the Asso- ciation for 1880 ; after speaking of especial trials, it says : "The coming of Mr. Hall at this time was very opportune, and gave encouragement to the church to renew their diligence and reconsecrate themselves to the work of God. He was especially adapted to the field, and by this genial manner, dignified bearing and sympathetic heart won, not only the hearts of his church and congregation, but the respect of the community. His labors are fre- quently referred to now among the older members of his church, and his kindness is cherished with tender recollection by those who shared it in times of trials and sorrow. His labors were blessed to the strengthening of the church and a continuance of harmony and spiritual activity. In the spring of 1866 there was a quickening of the church, and many were added, who became useful and efficient helpers. * Having labored earnestly and successfully for about five years, Mr. Hall resigned his pastoral care March 27, 1867. The church, being anxious to have him continue his labors, urgently requested him to reconsider his determination, and remain with them. Still adhering to his purpose, the church very reluctantly accepted his resig- nation."
But the labors of Mr. Hall were not by any means confined to those per- taining strictly to his profession. His reputation extended far beyond his pastorates, and he became a power in the denomination throughout the state. His advice was widely sought. He was deeply interested in educational in- stitutions, and his keen insight and patient endeavor fully equipped him to be of great service in this direction. All charitable organizations of merit found in him an active helper. His has been truly a busy life. Among his pub-
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lished works are some twenty or more reports as school committee of various dates for the towns of Hopkinton. Meredith and Laconia, N. H., and Meth- uen, Mass .; reports as school commissioner for Belknap county for 1854, 1855, 1858 and 1859; report of the New Hampshire board of education to the legislature, 1855 ; seventh and eights annual reports of the board of trus- tees of the New Hampshire State Normal school ; seventeen reports as sec- retary of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention ; discourse delivered at the funeral of Mrs. Martha R. Herrick, wife of Rev. J. S. Herrick, Rumney, N. H .; the first half century of the First Baptist church in Methuen, Mass., 1865. The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred on him by Dartmouth college in 1860, that of D. D. by Central university, Iowa. 1882. Mr. Hall was a member of the New Hampshire board of education for Belknap county for four years ; secretary of the board in 1855, and chairman in 1858. He was for several years a trustee of New Hampton Academical and Theological Insti- tution, previous to its removal to Vermont ; and for twenty years held the same position in regard to the New London Literary and Scientific Institu- tion (now Colby academy). He was also a trustee of the New Hampshire State Normal school for seven years, from 1872, and for two years secretary of the board. He was secretary and treasurer of the New Hampshire Pas- toral Asssociation from 1851 to 1861, inclusive. He was a trustee of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention from 1849 to 1862, and from 1867 to 1878, and secretary of the same from 1856 to 1862 and from 1867 to 1878- in all seventeen years. In all these various trusts, strict fidelity to duty, an unswerving integrity and an unvarying courtesy were the marked character- istics of his office.
The great measure of success which has attended his career, Mr. Hall cheerfully claims is largely due to his wite, who, by her ability and liberal cul- ture, combined with strict economy, industry and tact, has proved a help- mate in so many ways for nearly forty years.
Mr. Hall does not possess the qualities that make what the world would call a brilliant man. Conclusions do not come to him as intuitions or start- ling revelations. His grasp of mind, always comprehensive, is too massive to move by electricity. Results are rather worked out by careful investigation. Conscientious in every fibre of his being, he desires clearly to see the right. Consequently he has always been a safe counselor, and his judgments have seldom failed. As a pastor, he has been prudent and watchful, pure and dignified in his daily life, always casting oil upon troubled waters. His heart has always been open to the anguish of suffering or the wail of sorrow. In his religious views, it seems unnecessary to say that he has always been a Baptist to the core. To him the doctrines of the Bible are clear and explicit and a living truth. But he is exceedingly catholic and tolerant of the views of others, as it would be a part of his nature to be. Firm and uncompromis- ing in what he believes to be the teachings of the Scriptures, and in his preach- ing never withholding them, he would not willingly injure the feelings of a
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single human being. Mr. Hall is not a controversialist for the sake of argu- ment. There is nothing pugnacious in his nature. He loves those things that tend to peace. Still, when principle is involved, he is firm and even aggressive. An indomitable perseverence is one of his marked characteristics. Without this quality, he never would have achieved success. Indeed, his better aspirations would have been utterly crushed in early life ; and by this alone he has borne the most serious responsibilities and carried through the greatest enterprises of his life.
Mr. Hall has, from his earliest boyhood, been a staunch temperance advo- cate, having never drank a glass of intoxicating liquor as a beverage, nor used a particle of tobacco in any form. Besides lecturing on temperance, he has always sought to pursuade young men to abstain from the use of these stimu- lants, and he has joyful reason to believe that, through his earnest efforts, many children and youth have been saved from the terrible evils of intemper- . ance.
Since his return to Lake Village, Mr. Hall has found recreation and pleasure in fruit culture, particularly that of grapes and pears, of which he has had on his grounds about fifty varieties of each. Premiums for the best show of these fruits have been repeatedly awarded him by the Grafton and Belknap counties agricultural fairs.
Long continued illness alone compelled him to relinquish the active work of the ministry ; with returning health, many pulpits would be gladly opened to him. But it is not probable that he will enter upon another pastorate. He and his worthy wife are living quietly in their pleasant home at Lake Village. where so many hope that the evening of their days may be spanned with the bow of promise. He is still frequently called to the bridal and the funeral. His interest is in no manner relaxed in the success of christian effort ; and as the shadows begin to gather, a long life devoted to the welfare of his kind grows luminous with a brightness which merges into the glories of the hereafter. This hastily prepared sketch is the tender testimonial of an old school-mate and a life-long friend. To those, so few of whom are living who know the privations of his childhood and youth and the heroic struggle of his early manhood, out of which came ultimate success, it will not seem like words of adulation, but a calm and dispassionate rehersal of some of the events and characteristics of a valuable life.
Charles C. Craig, son of Amos H., was born in Campton, in 18.49, and in early life came to Rumney and learned the blacksmith's trade. He married Mary A., daughter of Reuben and Mary (Blood) Merrill, and has five chil- dren-Charles J., Harry N., Hattie F. (Mrs R. R. Swett, of Plymouth), Alice M. and Louise A. Mr. Craig is now proprietor of a store, station agent and postmaster at Quincy.
Dr. Ai S. Russell, son of Stephen and Eunice C. (Hanson) Russell. was born in Lincoln, N. H., in 1857. He graduated at the Eclectic Medical col- lege, at Lewiston, Me., with the class of '83, and the following year began
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practice here. He married Clestia A. Elliott, widow of Joseph Pease, May 26, 1884.
Charles L. Davis, son of Benjamin and E. S. (Noyes) Davis, was born in Westbrook, Me., in 1837. At the age of twelve years he went to Charles- town, Mass., to work in a gas fitting and steam engine works, where he was. employed many years. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 5th Mass. Vols. After the war he returned to Charlestown, and in 1873 came to Rumney. He- married Etta G., daughter of G. W. Paine, of Cabot, Vt., in 1870.
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