USA > New Hampshire > Genealogical and biographical records of American families, representative citizens: New Hampshire > Part 7
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From the Young Men's Christian Association:
"Mr. Robins rendered most valuable service on the finance, religious work, industrial, endow- ment, building and membership committees, and at the time of his death was chairman of the en- dowment committee and a member of the finance and building committee. He had deep religious convictions, a keen sense of justice, a remarkable grasp of financial problems, always a readiness to bear more than his share of respon- sibilities, and a great capacity for friendship."
From the board of directors of the Highland Hos- pital:
"For many years a member of this board, for three years an officer, one year of that time serv- ing as president, Mr. Robins gave ungrudgingly of his time and effort to the upbuilding of this
ROBINS
institution. Able, keen in his perceptions of its problems, loyal to ideals and with a high sense of honor he accomplished much for humanity."
Mr. Robins was a recognized authority on eco- nomic and financial matters. He was frequently in- vited to contribute articles upon these subjects by the editor of "Trust Companies," "The United States Investors", "Our World", "Scribner's Magazine", and other well known publications of similar nature, articles in "Scribner's" and "Our World" appearing as late as 1923. He was the author of "Farm Mort- gage Hand Book", published in 1916, and which is now in use as a textbook in Harvard Law School.
Kingman Nott Robins married, April 22, 1913, Elizabeth Adams Sibley, daughter of Rufus A. Sib- ley, of the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company.
Spear
Arms: Argent, a thistle with three heads stalked and leaved vert, flowered gules.
Crest: A dolphin haurient devouring a fish proper.
(Burke: "General Armory")
Steel Engravingby Finlay & Conn
William Offren
SPEAR
THE story of the career of William Clarence Spear of Manchester, New Hampshire, a pioneer in the automotive field, is that of a man endowed with qualities far above the average. It can always be said that there is a twofold reason for properly recording the achievements of outstanding men, whose years of accomplishment have contributed to the moulding of events during their own time; one being that we owe to their memory a debt of gratitude and the other that their records should be preserved as an example for the benefit of others.
WILLIAM CLARENCE SPEAR, son of John C. and Rebecca (Speer) Spear, was born in Newark, New Jersey, June 7, 1882, and died in Manchester, New Hampshire, October 25, 1931. John C. Spear was born in Newark, January 1, 1854, and died there January 19, 1920. He was engaged for many years in the clothing business in Newark, where he was in charge of the receiving department of the stores owned and operated by the Stoutenburg Clothing Company of New Jersey. He married Rebecca Speer, who was born in Little Falls, New Jersey, July 10, 1859, and at present (1933) resides in Newark.
SPEAR
William Clarence Spear was educated in the public schools of Newark and by his own unaided effort secured, through self-study, the education that his ambitious nature demanded. During his boyhood he found various sorts of employment, gaining worth- while experience and later became a toolmaker's apprentice in the employ of the well-known firm Sloan & Chase of Newark, manufacturers of high grade machine tools. While working in the shop, Mr. Spear realized that it was not enough to be a good practical mechanic, but that the technical knowledge was quite essential, and he accordingly attended the night schools of the city.
When he had served his full apprenticeship, he was a first class tool maker of outstanding ability and he had no difficulty in obtaining a position with the Oldsmobile Motor Car Agency of Newark. His superiors soon recognized his extraordinary skill and in 1902, he was promoted to salesman. He divided his time between various Oldsmobile branches and at this time an incident, which might be termed as the turning point of his career, took place. Mr. Spear had sold a car to Mr. Frank Doust, a prominent citi-
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Steel. Engraving by Finlay & Conn
THE SPEAR RESIDENCE, MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
SPEAR
zen of Manchester, New Hampshire, and the car did not come up to the purchaser's expectations. In those days, when the automobile industry was in its in- fancy, this was not regarded as a serious matter, such as it would be today, but it is interesting to note that even then, Mr. Spear appreciated the psychology of a satisfied customer. He was determined to stand be- hind his sale and gave unstintingly of his time and effort, often working overtime, until he had the mechanism of the car in perfect running condition.
His character and ability so impressed Mr. Doust that he proposed to Mr. Spear to open an automobile agency in Manchester, and verbally promised him financial aid if needed. In January, 1903, the agency was established and Mr. Spear became distributor for the Oldsmobile, Maxwell and Buick cars. A few months later Mr. Doust died, just at the time when Mr. Spear was most in need of his financial assistance. A man of less determination would have been dis- couraged and probably failed, but Mr. Spear used the obstacle as a stepping stone to success and found financial backing elsewhere. This might be termed as Mr. Spear's decisive victory in a business battle,
SPEAR
many of which he subsequently fought and won. From then on he made creditable and steady progress. In 1905, he added the Columbia and Stearns-Knight to his line. In 1907, the Oldsmobile and Columbia were discontinued and the Peerless Agency taken over, but in 1910, he dropped all other lines to be- come exclusive distributor of the Hudson and Essex cars in New Hampshire. In 1915, he took over the state agency for the Dodge car, which he continued until 1922. He was the third man in the United States to take over the distributorship of the Federal Motor Truck, which he did in 1909, continuing the account until 1927.
Mr. Spear's career as a distributor of motor cars is unequalled in New England and probably not sur- passed in the United States or the world. He estab- lished one of the largest and fastest growing dis- tributing agencies in New England. He handled many makes of cars, but achieved his greatest success with the Hudson and Essex line. In 1925 his sales of these cars doubled those of the previous year, a record not equalled by any automobile distributor since the automobile came into existence. Between 1925 and
SPEAR
1928, he sold 5,071 cars. When he took over the Dodge Agency in 1915, he signed a contract to pur- chase two hundred cars before a model or sample car had been produced. At one time he had fifty-one subdealers directly under his control.
In 1928, he retired from the field as a distributor and devoted his entire time to the interests of the New Hampshire Finance Corporation, of which he was the organizer and president. Under his able ad- ministration, this concern met with success to a marked degree.
Mr. Spear's natural qualifications fitted him as a leader in the industrial world. His close study of con- ditions, his sympathetic comprehension of the other man's viewpoint, his unfailing geniality and his dem- ocratic, unassuming ways earned for him the respect and good will of everyone with whom he came in contact. He was a self-made man in the strictest sense of the word, but was not above admitting that a great part of his success was due to the loyalty of his associates.
Mr. Spear took an active part in the civic, social
Steel Engraving hy Finlay & Conn
Berto L. Spear
SPEAR
and business life of Manchester and could always be counted on to promote any worthy movement for the general welfare.
He was extremely fond of horses and was the owner of several fine mounts. He found relaxation from his arduous business duties in horseback rid- ing and found a great deal of enjoyment in his hobby of collecting canes of which he had a most unusual and interesting collection.
He was a member of the Manchester Country Club, the Nashua Country Club, the Amoskeag Country Club, the Derryfield Club, the Boston Athletic Association and the fraternal order of Elks.
Mr. Spear married, January 19, 1907, Bertha Lillian McRae, a daughter of John and Alice (Nelson) McRae of Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Spear were the parents of a son, William C. Spear, Jr., born June 27, 1916, a student at the Phillips-Exeter Academy (1933).
A beautiful mausoleum has been erected to the memory of Mr. Spear, a work of art, which will
WILLIAM C.SPEAR
Sieel Engraving by Finlay & Conn
SPEAR
stand for generations as a silent testimonial to the man who greatly contributed to the progress and prosperity of his city and state and whose epitaph might well be written thus:
"His was a useful, a happy, a well-rounded life, and the city of Manchester, is the richer for what he gave to it."
FORTITUDINE
Arms: Argent, a fess between two mullets in chief, and a lion rampant in base gules.
Crest: An arm in armour holding a scimitar proper.
Motto: Fortitudine. (By fortitude.)
(Adam's: "The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands")
Mc RAE
THE Mc Rae family is of ancient Scottish ancestry and the name signifying 'the son of Rae,' or of Rath, i.e., "the fortunate one," has many orthographies, such as Macray, Macraa, Macraw, M'Crie and M'Cree. According to Lower's "Patronymica Britan- nica", the family is said to have come originally into Scotland from Ireland about the middle of the thirteenth century. They were allies of the Macken- zies and a number of them fought under the Macken- zie banner in the battle of Largs. They do not seem to have had a chieftain of their own, but were held in considerable estimation in 1715, when there was a line of a song, "And a' the brave M'Craas are com- ing".
The following is quoted from Boswell's, "Tour to the Hebrides": "At Auchnasheal, we sat down on a green turf seat at the end of a house We had a considerable circle about us, men, women, and children, all Macraes, Lord Seaforth's people. Not one of them could speak English. I observed to Dr. Johnson, it was much the same as being with a tribe of Indians."
Mc RAE
"In allusion to this want of civilization, they have sometimes been called the wild Macraws. "Macrae and Macraw," observes Mr. Chambers, "are but variations of the same name. This clan is said to be the most unmixed race in the Highlands, a circum- stance which seems to be attended with quite a con- trary effect from what might have been expected, the Macraes and Macraws being the handsomest and most athletic men beyond the Grampians." (Popular Rhymes, etc., of Scotland, 1842.)
JOHN Mc RAE was the son of Alexander Mc Rae, who was an engraver in Edinburgh, where his father and grandfather had been engaged in the same pro- fession and the art of engraving had been handed down from father to son.
John Mc Rae learned engraving from his father and came as a young man to the United States where he settled in Cranston, Rhode Island, and established the Mc Rae Engraving Company which he operated successfully for many years. He married Alice Nelson, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hallowell) Nelson, both natives of England.
Mc RAE
Thomas Nelson, who traced his ancestry from Lord Nelson, was a fish, game and ice merchant in Blackburn, England, until 1862, when he came to the United States and ten days later, while in Michigan, died from a sun stroke.
Thomas and Mary (Hallowell) Nelson were the parents of Alice Nelson, born in Preston, England, February 4, 1850, and died in Providence, Rhode Island, September 14, 1908.
Alice Nelson married John Mc Rae and they were the parents of Bertha Lillian Mc Rae, who married William Clarence Spear, January 19, 1907. (See Spear. )
STEWART
THE Stewart family is of ancient origin and was first introduced in England by one Alan who accom- panied William the Conqueror. He received grants of land together with the castle of Oswestry in Shrop- shire and became Lord Oswestry.
William, eldest son of Alan, was the ancestor of the Earls of Arundel and his second son, Walter, dis- tinguished himself in the service of David I of Scot- land, where he acquired large territorial possessions. He became Baron of Renfrew and Lord High Steward of Scotland; the stewardship becoming hereditary in the family thereafter. The spelling of the name was changed to Stewart and later through Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, who was educated in France, it became Stuart, as the French alphabet con- tains no "w".
WALTER STUART, probably of the "House of White Rose", is said to have located in Perthshire, Scotland, but little else is known of him.
ROBERT STUART, son of Walter Stuart, was born in 1655 and died in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1714. He
STEWART
was forced to flee from persecution in Scotland and joined a band of Covenanters who had gathered at Londonderry, Ireland. He returned to Scotland after peace was restored but his lands had been confiscated and he never repossessed them. He married Janette Forsythe. She came to America, a widow, and settled in Coleraine, Massachusetts, where she died at an advanced age.
SAMUEL STUART, son of Robert and Janette (Forsythe) Stuart, removed to Londonderry, Ireland, and then to the Scotch-Irish settlement in New Hampshire called Londonderry. Later he settled at Coleraine, Massachusetts, where he died. About the time of his death the spelling of the family name was altered to Stewart.
JOHN STEWART, known as "Captain John" was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in 1745. He was a member of the famous band known as Rogers' Rangers and a soldier in the French and the Revolu- tionary Wars. He was with General Montgomery at Quebec and was near that gallant officer when he died. Captain Stewart was a noted Indian fighter and
JohnW Stewart
STEWART
led a company of patriots in a decisive conflict at the battle of Bennington, Vermont. He married Huldah Hubbell in 1777.
IRA STEWART, son of Captain John and Huldah (Hubbell) Stewart, was born July 15, 1779, in Pawlet, Vermont, and died February 13, 1855. He settled in New Haven, Vermont, and in 1810 moved to Middlebury, same state, where he became a lead- ing citizen. He was engaged in the merchandising business and served in both branches of the State Legislature. Ira Stewart was active in public life and was a member of the Middlebury College Corpora- tion from 1819 to 1855. He married, October 29, 1814, Betsey, daughter of Wolcott Hubbell of Lanes- boro, Massachusetts.
JOHN WOLCOTT STEWART, son of Ira and Betsey (Hubbell) Stewart, was born November 24, 1825, in Middlebury, where he died October 29, 1915.
He attended school at the Addison County Grammar School and the Middlebury Academy and graduated with honors from Middlebury College in 1846. He then studied law with Horatio Seymour,
STEWART
who was considered one of the ablest lawyers in Vermont and was admitted to the bar in 1850 after which he practiced alone until 1854, when he entered into partnership with United States Senator Phelps. This partnership was terminated in 1855, when Senator Phelps died.
John Wolcott Stewart was a young man when he became identified with the political affairs of his state and the record of his sixty-five years of untiring public service occupies an important place in the history of Vermont. He served as state's attorney for Addison County in 1852-53 and 54. He was elected to the lower house in 1856, reelected in 1857 and was chairman of the railroad committee during both terms.
When the state house was burned in 1857 much controversy ensued as to the selection of a new site. Many considered Burlington but Mr. Stewart was in favor of Montpelier and was decidedly instrumental in retaining the capitol there. In 1861 he represented Addison County in the State Senate and was re- elected in 1862. He served as a member of the
STEWART
judiciary committee and as chairman of the com- mittee on rules.
Mr. Stewart was returned to the lower house from Middlebury in 1864 and was appointed to the com- mittee on joint rules and judiciary. He was reelected in 1865, 1866, and 1867 and was chosen presiding officer at each session. He performed his duties in a most efficient manner and was highly respected for his ability and fairness. In 1876, when he again was returned to the house, he received the unique honor of being selected, by unanimous vote, for his old post as speaker of the house.
At the constitutional convention in 1870 the term of office in legislature became biennial instead of an- nual, and in that year, Mr. Stewart, then forty-five years of age, was elected Governor of the State of Vermont; the first governor under the new ruling. His inaugural address, delivered nine years before the resumption of specie payments contained the follow- ing just and wise recommendation: "It is held by a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States that the provisions of the legal tender act are
STEWART
not retroactive, and that debts contracted prior to its passage are payable in coin . . . I respectfully recommend to prompt recognition of the supreme judicial authority of the country, by an enactment authorizing our treasurer to pay in coin that portion of our debt falling within the decision referred to." To her great honor, Vermont acted promptly upon this decision and Governor Stewart's term, as chief executive, was one of honor to himself and of credit to his State.
In 1880 he was elected to Congress from the first Congressional district and was reelected in 1884, 86, and 88.
Governor Stewart practiced his profession in partnership with Loyal D. Eldredge, under the firm name of Stewart & Eldredge, which continued until Mr. Eldredge's withdrawal in 1883. He then entered into partnership with Charles M. Wilds, the name of the firm becoming Stewart & Wilds, and his associa- tion continued until the death of Mr. Wilds in 1901.
In 1908 Governor Stewart was again called upon to serve his state and occupied the seat in the Senate
STEWART
of the United States made vacant by the death of Senator Redfield Proctor.
Governor Stewart was a staunch Republican and attended several national conventions including the one which nominated Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was keenly interested in his college, of which he was appointed trustee in 1858. His association with the governing Board of the college extended over a period of sixty-four years, a record undoubtedly un- surpassed in the history of any college or university in America. He was the intimate friend and adviser of five college presidents and his influence gave much prestige and dignity to his Alma Mater, which in 1876 conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Law.
Governor Stewart was a director of the Central Vermont Railway and the Middlebury Bank of which he was president for several years prior to 1881, when his other connections made it necessary for him to decline the office.
Governor Stewart was known as "Vermont's Grand Old Man" and the following which was
STEWART
written while he was still active in public life, is in- dicative of the respect and affection in which he was held: "He is a typical Vermonter of the best quality. Like most noble and excellent men, he is most highly appreciated where he is best known. Middlebury certainly knows of no official honor that she would not bestow, nor of any official duty that she would not entrust to her 'favorite son'. His disposition in the foremost rank of citizens and professional men is unchallenged. The State is honored by the nurture and services of such sons as he."
The death of Governor Stewart caused universal sorrow among the people whom he had served so faithfully and loved so unselfishly and in closing this chapter of his notable career, it seems fitting to quote from the numerous editorials and comments of the press, written at the time.
From the "Middlebury Register":
"In a graceful introduction of Governor Stewart at a political meeting last year, Judge Charles I. Button referred to him as 'the first citizen of Middlebury'. For over fifty years
STEWART
Governor Stewart occupied that position. The oldest resident will scarcely remember a time when Governor Stewart did not occupy a place of commanding influence in our town and county, surpassed by none among us. He held his place with perfect ease, by the sheer merit of his force of character and mind. He never sought public office in his life. Vermont had no gift too great for him, but he never wrote a letter to ask support nor solicited a single friend for assist- ance. He was a man from whom power and in- fluence emanated without his effort. In the councils of the State and the nation he moved quietly and without hurry, securing by the clear- ness and force of his judgment what others would have achieved only by the greatest effort. In the long succession of truly great men of Vermont he held a unique and honorable place. He was naturally conservative, a lover of the fine old ways and the rare old dignity of the simpler life of the past. To be admitted to his intimate friendship and to hear him talk before the fire of the great men he had known and the great scenes he had witnessed was a high privilege. Genial and kindly, fond of humor, keen in wit, sharp as a sword in analysis of men and movements, never
STEWART
fooled for an instant by any species of dema- goguery, he was one of the men who have brought honor upon Vermont for her strong and sterling manhood. Governor Stewart loved this village, more than most of us knew. He traveled widely and his duties kept him in other places for considerable periods, but here was his heart and hither he returned, to his home beneath the elm trees, and it was a kind providence which granted him a peaceful passing, after a full score more than the allotted span, brave, cheerful, and his great mind still clear, surrounded by those whose first care was to minister to his happiness to the last."
From the "Rutland Herald":
"The death of John W. Stewart of Middle- bury not only makes a big gap in the ranks of great Vermonters, but terminated a career full of useful activity and distinguished public serv- ice. As a member of the bar, banker, railroad director, State Legislature, speaker, governor, representative in Congress and United States ! Senator, he touched the activities of the State and the nation intimately."
STEWART
From the "Rutland News":
"John Wolcott Stewart, Vermont's grand old man, who died in Middlebury, which was his birthplace and home for well nigh 90 years, was a fine type of the courteous, sturdy, cultured Vermonter, with the regular Vermont con- science. The oldest graduate of Middlebury college at the time of his death, his abilities were recognized and properly honored by the people of his State. In every official position to which he was chosen, member of the Vermont General Assembly in both branches, representative in congress and governor, he served always with dignity, fidelity and ability. John W. Stewart was a masterful man and his record was an in- evitable one. There are few who will question the statement that he would have been a distinct ornament in any national position to which he had been chosen. During the few short months when he was an interim United States senator, he won the respect and confidence of the members of that distinguished body."
From the "Burlington News":
"Vermont looses its most distinguished and most honored citizen in the death of John
STEWART
Wolcott Stewart, Governor, Representative and Senator.
"Governor Stewart was a man of very great ability, and the fact was realized by all who met him at every step of his long career. A dis- tinguished Vermonter, who himself served in Congress with him, said that no man in Senate or House was held in higher respect for intellectual ability and that he was consulted by the leaders of both political parties on all questions of paramount importance. And in every position he held through his long life he gave his constituents his very utmost of service. On his first nomination to the National House of Representatives he said in his speech of accept- ance that he had adopted the knightly motto on the Prince of Wales' crest, 'Ich Dien' - 'I serve'. And so he served the people of Vermont and the nation and the smaller constituencies of village and county and his Alma Mater with whole- hearted fidelity.
"He has now gone to his long rest crowned with years far outnumbering those of the average man and still doubly and triply long since they
STEWART
were so crowded with usefulness and helpful- ness.
"All Vermont will feel that a great man has left us, that a life of unusual and wonderful value has been closed."
John Wolcott Stewart married, November 21, 1860, Emma, daughter of Philip and Emma Hart (Seymour) Battell. She was born September 5, 1837, and died March 19, 1900. (See Seymour Line.)
John Wolcott and Emma (Battell) Stewart were the parents of the following children:
Elga, deceased. Philip Battell, Yale, 1886, lawyer and banker. Residence, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jessica (Mrs. C. M. Swift), residence, Middlebury, Vermont and New York City. Robert Forsythe, died young. John Wolcott, Jr., died young.
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