Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. II, Part 9

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 874

USA > New Hampshire > Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. II > Part 9

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"In some ways, perhaps, it has been a hard life. Let us remember that. He was early thrown by the vigor and energy of his nature into bitter conflicts where the only law was blow for blow. He could not take things by halves, but must enter into them with all his soul. No one passes through such con- tests without scars and wounding. But like the gen- erous fruits of earth he mellowed, I have fancied and believed, as the years ran on. The swift, sharp intellect spoke its words of truth and judgment, but he had learned that life cannot be reduced to arith- metical formulas. The very intensity of his mind that could harbor no subterfuge, evasion or com- promise, made his friendship also real and rich. Men respected him the more perhaps that they did not agree with him. His mind was characterized by a certain clear transparency. He never let business crush out the life of his mind. It was continually eager and active, rejoicing over new truth as over a hidden treasure. Other men were often too busy to think. He was not. He loved accuracy and cor- rectness, clear definitions, the march of argument. His was a deep laid scorn of all illusions and de- lusions. And yet in him was the soul of a poet as you might know by his playfulness and genuine wit of speech. llis religious principles, and he was loyal to his church, were ever 'Truth for authority, and not authority for truth.' I wonder if you and 1 fully understand how this love of truth for truth's sake, even when it seems to require renunciation and denial of what would be pleasant to believe, I wonder if we realize how this in itself was a better worship of the living God than much repeating of 'Lord, Lord.' I bow down before that greatness of soul and dare to believe out of the very fullness of my trust in God that never in all eternity can it be

MRS. WILLIAM ELLERY MOORE

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otherwise than well with such fidelity, well to the uttermost beyond all we can ask or think.

"To speak of the cleanness and purity of this man's heart and conscience is almost too sacred a thing except for silent remembrance. Yet in the midst of so much in the daily superficial record of American life it is a proud satisfaction to speak in simple recognition of it. Not that he attained the ideal or felt himself above others, but simply that he kept fast hold upon a natural delicacy and refine- ment which was not worn upon the sleeve. His best life was a quiet life, unmasked of men. What his home was to him and what he was to his home you may not know, but it is known beyond what men may see. He furnished that home not with luxuries or rich flourishings, but with an atmos- phere of generosity and considerateness. He furn- ished it with homelikeness. The test of those who know you closest is the supreme test. We are not afraid to trust William Moore to his Father, not for what he knew and believed-does that make any difference ?- but for what he was at heart. God knoweth them that are His."

Mr. Staples then read the following anonymous poem :

" He does well who does his best.

Is he weary ?- Let him rest. Brothers! I have done my hest. I am weary-let me rest.

After toiling oft in vain, Baffled, yet to struggle fain ;

After toiling long to gain Little good with weary pain,

Let me rest. But lay me low

Where the hedge-side roses blow, Where the little daisies grow.

Where the winds a-Maying go,

Where the foot path rustics plod.

Where the breeze bowed poplars nod,

Where the old woods worship God, Where the pencil paints the sod. Where the wedded throstle sings, Where the young bird tries his wings, Where at times the tempests roar, Shaking distant sea and shore-

To be heard by me no more !

There beneath the breezy west,

Tired and thankful let me rest. Like a child that sleepeth hest On its mother's gentle breast. "

Music was by Miss Jean McQuarrie and Mrs. A. L. Franks. who rendered several touching selections during the services. The pall-bearers were: Charles B. Clarkson, of Queen City Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Franklin Mckinley, of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias; Charles Gliddon, of Monesquo Tribe of Red Men; Charles Wingate, of the Royal Arcanum; Dr. Maurice Clarke; and W. G. Africa. At the close of the services many gazed upon the face of him they had known so well in life, and also viewed the profusion of beautiful floral tributes. The body was taken to the Pine Grove cemetery, where interment took place, the Rev. C. J. Staples reading prayers at the grave.

Mr. Moore married, December 25, 1872, Martha Stevenson Miller, horn at Tamworth, 1848, daughter of David F. and Elizabeth (Stevenson) Miller, of South Manchester, the former a prominent real es- tate dealer, and granddaughter of Jonathan and Abi- gail (Folsom) Miller. Her maternal grandfather was John Milton Stevenson, of Tamworth, New

Hampshire. The name has been variously spelled as "Stevenson," "Stephenson," and even changed to "Stimpson." One of the ships belonging to Captain John Mason, which plied between England and Pis- cataqua, on which settlers and supplies were sent to the new world, was named the "Pied Cow." She made several voyages, and on the second voyage, November 16. 1631. William Stephenson was master. Nothing further concerning him has been preserved. Captain Mason had two sisters, one of whom, Sarah, born December 1, 1583, married Stephen- son, and had a daughter-Alice-whose name is plainly spelled Stevenson, according to the records in Yenwarden, county Kent, England. The record of the Stevenson family as far as known is as follows :

(I) Thomas Stevenson, of Dover, New Hamp- shire, was born prior to 1641, and died in Dover, December 7. 1663. He married Margaret -

who died November 26, 1663, and had children: Margaret, born 1653; Thomas, born 1654; Joseph, born before 1665, died before 1694; and Bartholo- mew, died 1694.

(II) Bartholomew, son of Thomas and Mar- garet Stevenson, died in 1694, or possibly somewhat earlier. He married, October 10, 1680, Mary Clark, and had children: Mary. Bartholomew, Joseph, Elizabeth, Thomas, Sarah and Abraham.

(III) Joseph, son of Bartholomew (2) and Mary (Clark) Stevenson, was born before 1684. He married. September 26. 1717, Margaret Footman, and had children: Joseph, horn 1719; Margaret, born 1721; Hannah, born 1725; and Thomas, born 1726.

(IV) Thomas, son of Joseph and Margaret (Footman) Stevenson, was born in 1726. He mar- ried Agnes Glass. and they had a child: James. (V) James, son of . Thomas and Agnes (Glass) Stevenson, married Mary Remick, and had children : John, Milton, and David.

(VI) John Milton, son of James and Mary (Remick) Stevenson, married and was the father of several children. One of his grandchildren is Mrs. Moore. Besides his own large family he cared for and educated twenty other children, and found places for them in the world. Among these was Leopold Morse, well known in Manchester, New Hampshire, and later a representative in congress from Boston, Massachusetts.

Mrs. Moore has practically spent her entire life in her native state of New Hampshire. She was graduated from the Manchester high school in the class of 1867, and carried off one of the highest honors of the class. The following spring she de- cided to make the profession of teaching her life work, and accordingly taught in the Harvey district for one term, of which Joseph Edgerly was superin- tendent. When the Lincoln School was opened, she was chosen as a teacher for it, and in all taught in these schools for a period of six years. The history of her private school, which is located at the north- east corner of Pearl and Union streets, is an inter- esting one. After her marriage Mrs. Moore had decided to give up teaching, but in 1878 ex-Governor P. C. Cheney preferred the request that Mrs. Moore instruct his little daughter for one hour each day. Mrs. Moore complied with this request, and as soon as this fact became known, she received nineteen further applications. Realizing the necessity for a school of this character, she established a home school, and has conducted it since that time. She furnished rooms with the necessary desks, charts,

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etc., and the school has grown considerably since that time, although Mrs. Moore limits the number of her pupils to thirty-five. and the ages from five to ten years. They are a very happy set of children who are thus brought under her direct influence, and can but benefit in every direction. It has be- come one of the best known schools in the state, and each year a graduating class leaves its portals, well prepared to enter the fourth grade of the regular

schools. In the course of years many of her pupils have graduated with distinction from the higher schools and other institutions of learning. have mar- ricd, and their children are now receiving instruc- tion from the same kind lips which gave them words of advice that enabled them to bear the trials of later life with proper fortitude. The many beautiful gifts and testimonials of varied character which adorn the home of Mrs. Moore bear eloquent testimony to the esteem and affection in which she is held by her pupils, past and present. Many of the leading busi- ness men in Manchester have taken their first steps along the pathway of knowledge, guided by her wis- dom. It is to be hoped that she will carry on the good work for many years to come, as her influence in the community cannot be overestimated. Her never-failing courtesy, gentleness, and yet force of character, have been a powerful object lesson to the children who have been in her charge. and the re- sulting influence has been felt. More than seven hundred pupils have been graduated from this insti- tution, and they have always looked upon it as a sec- ond home, and considered it in the true meaning of the word. as their "alma mater." Mrs. Moore has made her pupils feel at home in her school, and has not alone been their instructress, but also their spiritual adviser. She is regarded by them as a per- sonal friend, and has always been invited to attend their graduation from other schools, and their wed- dings. Iler teaching has the stamp of individuality, and in that lies the secret of her success, the in- dividual needs of each pupil being considered. She has a special instruetress for the musical department -Miss Lillian Darrah, and Miss Helen Chandler, a former pupil of the school. teaches drawing. A public entertainment was given by her class upon the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of her having entered the profession of teaching. This was given in the chapel of the Unitarian Church, and was in the form of a play, followed by a literary and musical program. During the thirty years of her life as a teacher, Mrs. Moore has never been ab- sent from the duties connected with her work with the exception of one week at the time of her hus- band's death. She has frequently tendered recep- tions to her former pupils and their parents, and these have been more in the nature of family gather- ings than school receptions, so deeply rooted is the affection entertained for Mrs. Moore by all who know her. For many years she has been a member of the Unitarian Church. and an earnest worker in the interests of that institution. She had filled the office of director for three years, but resigned. giv- ing it as her opinion that a younger person in that office could do more that would benefit the church. At this time she presented the church with three hundred and twenty dollars, which had been gathered in the mite boxes which she eontrolled, and which contribution she had had changed into gold. before making the presentation. Her resignation as a di- rector was accepted with regret, and the money con- tribution was found to be very acceptable, and Mrs.

Moore was requested to continue her good work in this direction, to which she consented.

As this branch can be traced directly to

MOOR the original immigrant, it is probably unconnected with the line descended from Jonathan Moore, whose history has previously been written.

(I) John Moor and his wife Janet were among the Scotch-Irish immigrants who came to London- derry. New Hampshire, in 1723, during the immi- gration which furnished strong and sturdy citizens with worthy descendants to our country. They had four children, one of whom was Colonel Robert, whose sketch follows. John Moor died January 24, 1774, and his widow died March 8, 1776.

(II) Colonel Robert, son of John and Janet Moor, was born at Londonderry, New Hampshire, in 1727. He was a member of Captain John Mitchell's troopers in 1744. during the French and Indian war, and he was a conspicuous commander at the battle of Bunker Hill. The name of his wife is unknown, and the number of their children cannot be learned. Colonel Robert Moor died in 1778.

(III) Captain Robert (2), son of Colonel Robert (1) Moor, was born at Londonderry, New Hampshire. September 20, 1769. He lived for sev- eral ycars on Shirley Hill, Goffstown, New Hamp- shire, where the five eldest children were born. In 1805. after his home had been destroyed by fire, he moved with his family to Bristol, New Hampshire. settled near Pemigewasset bridge, and built a large two-story house where he kept tavern for some years. He was a man of unusual intelligence, and was called the strongest person in the county. He might have made his mark in the state had his life not been cut short at the early age of forty-three. Cap- tain Robert (2) Moore married Jenny Jane Rolfe, who was born at Newburyport, Massachusetts. Sep- tember 22. 1771, and they had eight children : Esther. Jane W., Robert W .. Jane. Joseph W., whose sketch follows: Jonathan H., William and Mary. Captain Robert (2) Moore died August 10, 1813, and his widow lived till February 6, 1852, and died at the age of eighty. Some of these have added a letter to the original spelling of the name.

(IV) Joseph William. son of Captain Robert (2) and Jenny J. (Rolfe) Moore, was born at Goffstown. New Hampshire. January 16, 1800. When a child he moved with his people to Bristol, New Hampshire, and after the death of his elder brother Robert, in 1848, succeeded to the paternal farm. He was a great lover of fruit culture and fine gardening, and planted many trees on his place, both for fruit and shade. He engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber at Moore's Mills, and furnished the floor beams for the first factory in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Ile was a man of upright character, great energy and of literary and scientific tastes. He served as selectman ten years, and represented Bristol in the legislature for three terms. On December 15, 1825. Joseph William Moore married Mary, fifth child and third daughter of Abraham and Rachel (Locke) Dolloff, of Bristol, who was born June 9, 1805. They had eight children: Jane Rolfe, James G., Ovid D .. whose sketch follows: Rachel L., Mary, Sarah C .. Josephine and Joseph West. Joseph William Moore died at Bristol, April 30. 1880, aged eighty years, and his widow died at New Hampton. New Hamp- shire, February 15, 1887, aged eighty-one. (Ovid D). and descendants receive further mention in this article).

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(V) James G .. oldest son of Joseph W. and Mary (Dolloff) ) Moore, was born January 27, 1828. He was educated in the public schools and at the New Hampton Institute. He early displayed un- usual talent for mathematics, and it is a well at- tested fact that he solved readily intricate problems that were sent to him as an expert from other schools. Ile was skilled in mechanical drawing and a genius in whatever pertained to machinery. In August, 1849, he removed to Franconia, New Hamp- shire, where he built a mill for the manufacture of shingles, boards, shoe pegs and bobbins. He also dealt in masts, spars and keels for shipping vessels. He moved to Lisbon in IS70, where he purchased a mill and continued the manufacture of shoe pegs, wood pulp and bobbins. He invented many im- provements in the machinery, which were of great value. His patents were. for wood pulp machines and excelsior. He also invented a tubular boiler and several other articles which he never patented, among which were the machine for splitting bobbins and the calipers for measuring wood. both of which are universally used. During the great fire in 1901 his mill was burned with its machinery and patterns. With his characteristic energy, a strong inheritance with him, he decided to rebuild. His new mill is run with steam power, and he has about thirty em- ployes. Mr. Moor has been termed "the veteran peg manufacturer"; at the time he started in the business there were twenty such mills in the United States, now there but four, all within a radius of fifty miles. The most important markets are Ger- many, Austria, Turkey, Russia and South America, although many are sent to Norway, Sweden and Denmark, very few now being used in this country. James G. Moor married, November 4, 1856, Chris- tiana C., daughter of Rev. Isaiah and Charlotte R. Shipman (see Shipman). They have no children.

(V) Ovid Dearborn, second son and third child of Joseph William and Mary ( Dolloff) Moore, was born at Bristol, New Hampshire, August 6, 1829. He left Bristol in 1859, lived for a while in Little- ton and Franconia, and was a farmer up to forty years of age. He went into company with his elder brother, James G. Moore, who was engaged in the manufacture of wood pulp at Lisbon, New Hamp- shire. They continued in this business about four- teen years, Mr. O. D. Moore meanwhile moving to Lisbon in 1875. After dissolving partnership with his brother, Mr. O. D. Moore managed the business alone for about eight years. and then went into com- pany with his son, Fred. J. Moore, and with his son- in-law, W. S. Nelson, in the manufacture of shoe- pegs at Lisbon. On August 28, 1854, Ovid D. Moore married Harriet Irene, daughter of Russel and Lorena (Spooner) Howland, who was born in Franconia, New Hampshire, August 31, 1832. She died in Franconia, March 20, 1871, leaving two chil- dren : Genevieve. and Fred. J., whose sketch fol- lows. O. D. Moore married for his second wife, February I, 1877, Hattie A., daughter of Steven and Elsie (Drury) Howland, who was born October 10, 1850. Ovid D. Moore died at Lisbon, September S, 1892.

(VI) Fred. Joseph, only son and second child of Ovid Dearborn and Harriet I. (Howland) Moore, was born March 10, 1865, at Franconia. New Hampshire. He was educated in the schools of Franconia, Bristol and Lisbon. and at the Commer- cial College of New Hampton Institute, New Hamp- shire. He then engaged with his father in the wood pulp business at Lisbon, where he remained five ii-8

years. For the succeeding three years he was emll- ployed by Wells & Wilson, shoe peg manufacturers, and in 1890 went into company with his father and his brother-in-law, William S. Nelson, in the manu- facture of shoe pegs. This partnership lasted till the death of the father in 1892, when F. J. Moore sold out his interest to Mr. Nelson, continuing to work for the latter till 1906. In that year Mr. Moore bought the Oliver interest in the grain busi- ness of Oliver & Gates at Lisbon, and the firm is now known as Gates & Moore, grain dealers. Mr. Moore is a Republican in politics, and has been se- lectman at Lisbon. He is a member of Kane Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; and of Frank- lin Chapter, No. 5. both of Lisbon; and of St. Ger- ard Commandery, Knights Templar, Littleton. He lias attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry in Lafayette Chapter, and is a member of the Eastern Star. He also belongs to the Ammonoosuc Club,. of Lisbon.

Fred. Joseph Moore married, December 18, 1886, Jennie A. E. Harris. daughter of P. E. and Lucy M. ( Taylor) Harris, who was born July 31, 1863, in Warren, New Hampshire. They have one child, Harriet Irene. born May 31, 1889.

(1) John Moore and his wife Jane, MOORE whose maiden surname was Morrison, emigrated from the north of Ireland and was one of the early settlers in Londonderry, New Hampshire. In 1738 he purchased the Gov- ernor Wentworth farm, but instead of making it his homestead he settled on the east end of addi- tional lot No. 104, in Chester. He reared four sons : James, John, Major Henry and Charles.

(II) Charles, youngest son of John and Jane (Morrison) Moore, married Molly Whittier, and resided upon the Governor Shute farm, located on the West Pond road in Chester, which is now or was recently occupied by Samuel M. Edwards. He was a carpenter by trade, although agriculture was in all probability his chief occupation. Charles died in ISII, and his wife died about the year 1834. Their children were: James, Josiah, Reuben, Rob- ert, John and Henry.

(III) Reuben, third son of Charles and Molly (Whittier) Moore, was born in Chester in 1775. In 1797 he settled in Plainfield, New Hampshire, and died there in 1835. He participated in the war of 1812-15. The maiden name of his wife is wanting, as is also a list of his children.

(IV) John, son of Reuben Moore, was born in Chester in 1796. He was a blacksmith by trade and resided in Thetford, Vermont. His death oc- curred about the year 1835. He married Sarah Heath, but whether he had more than one child cannot be ascertained.

(V) La Fayette, son of John and Sarah (Heath) Moore, was born at Thetford, Vermont, in February, 1825. Left fatherless at the age of about ten years he was bound to an uncle, from whom he subsequently ran away and learned the black- smith's trade. He was among the first settlers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, going there about 1845, and assisting in laying out the town. He was one of the first to engage in the drug business there, but in 1850 he sold his establishment and sought his fortune in the gold fields of California. After remaining a short time on the Pacific coast he re- turned to Lawrence, whence he removed to Lan- caster, New Hampshire, in 1855, and engaged in the drygoods business. He later established a pa-

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per mill and a starch factory in Guildhall, Ver- mont, which he operated for some time, but finally returned to Lancaster and purchasing the hardware business established by his sons he carried it on successfully for a period of ten years or until his death, which occurred in 1898. He was well ad- vanced in Masonry, having been a charter mem- ber of North Star Lodge, chapter and commandery, all of Lancaster. In his religious belief he was a U'nitarian. In 1849 he married Maria Jane Ben- nett, daughter of Oliver Bennett, of Barnstead, New Hampshire. She survives him and resides in Lan- caster. The children of this union who lived to maturity are: John LaFayette, who will be again referred to; George C., a resident of South Da- kota: Mary L., who is now the wife of Dr. W. Herbert Hoyt, of Rochester, New York; James L., who resides in Lancaster, and Herbert, also of that town.

(\'1) John LaFayette, eldest son and child of La Fayette and Maria J. (Bennett) Moore, was born in Lawrence, July 7. 1855. He acquired his edu- cation in the public schools, the New Hampton Institute and the Lancaster Academy. As a young man he went to Northumberland, this state, and later spent some time in the West in the interest of a lumber company. Returning to Lancaster in 1882 he purchased an interest in the hardware firm of Cobbleigh & Moore, with which he was associated until 1888, when the business was bought by his father as previously stated, and he then turned his attention to other business fields. He is now the manager of the hardware store which is carried on by the trustees of his father's estate, has an inter- est in a brick yard in Lancaster, and is a director of the Lancaster National Bank. Mr. Moore is a member of the North Star Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of North Star Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He attends the Unitarian Church. He married Clara Spaulding, daughter of W. C. Spaulding, of Lancaster. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children: Stanley D., born in 1884: and Annie M., born in 1894.

(1) Major Samuel Moore appears in Litch- field soon after 1730. In a suit of Goffe ys. Fallans- bee in 1750, he testified that he had resided in Litch- field since 1731. Hle was one of a committee to build the meeting house in Litchfield, and was treasurer of the town in 1735. He lived in the northern part of the town, and several miles from the main settlement, and possibly that fact excused him from continued service in town affairs. Dur- ing the French and Indian war his service was conspicuous. lle was a lieutenant in the com- pany of Captain Goffe, of Colonel Joseph Blanch- ard's regiment, in 1755. Very few of the rolls of New Hampshire regiments for 1758 and 1759 are preserved. but papers in the state archives repre- sent that he was a captain in 1758. and a major in Colonel John Goffe's regiment in 1759, which marched by way of Springfield to Albany, and par- ticipated in the capture of Quebec. After his mar- riage he moved to Hudson. lle was last taxed in Litchfield in 1766: He was a selectman of Hudson in 1,70. and a signer of the Association Test in 1776. He died in Hudson in 1784. He married (first) Deborah Butterfield, and (second) Mary Colburn, widow of Thomas Colburn, of Hudson. Cantain Colburn was killed by lightning August 20. 1765. The children of Major Samuel and Deborah "Butterfield) Moore were : Olive, John, Priscilla, Samuel, Deborah, Joseph, Abraham.

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Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. II, Part 9

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 874

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 874