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. IV, Part 98

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: 878

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. IV > Part 98

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(IV) William, second son and child of Jona- than and Sally (Yeaton) Goss, was born in Epsom, July 13, 1820. He obtained his education in the public schools, assisted his father on the farm and in the shop, and remained at the paternal homestead until he was twenty-five years of age. After his marriage he settled on a farm adjoining that of his father, and remained there till March, 1855, when he sold that farm and purchased the place where he subsequently resided, close to the railroad station, in Epsom. There he gave his attention to stock raising, and by prudence, industry and skill, achieved success not only in raising stock but also in dealing in real estate. Convinced of the possi- bility of making use of the natural advantages and creating a village about him, Mr. Goss began to erect houses and form the nucleus of a village, since called in his honor, Gossville. He pur- chased the house in which his father was born, and also the one in which he was born, moved them over to his settlement, re- fitted them, and made them into residences which are still in use. He also built many houses, so that the greater number of residences in the village are the fruit of his labor. The old Baptist church building he moved into the village and converted into a store. In this way he constantly and assid- uously labored to build up a prosperous village about his abode. The erection of a new church at Gossville was principally due to the energy, perse- verance and personal influence of Mr. Goss. When others lost courage and hope, he took the lead in the matter and carried it forward and saw it suc- cessfully and satisfactorily terminated. In nianu- facturing Mr. Goss took a leading part, and was a prime mover and promoter of the building of a shoe factory in which he owned a controlling inter- est, which employs sixty hands or more, managed by his son, Nathan J. Goss, who is agent for the business.

Mr. Goss was by inheritance a Democrat, and throughout his life always cleaved to the faith of his father in the democracy of Jefferson and Jack- son. He was honored by his townsmen with the office of selectman, which he filled one term, and that of representative to which he was twice elected. He was a member of the Baptist Society. In all the relations of life Mr. Goss was a true man, in whom his fellow citizens recognized high integrity and sterling worth. Mr. Goss married (first). June 2, 1846, Maryetta, daughter of William and Esther

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(Fowler) Abbott, of Pembroke. She died May 3, 1873. He married (second), December 23, 1873, S. Rebecca Randall, widow of Crockett. By the first marriage there were four children : John Abbott, whose sketch follows. Elizabeth J., born September 2, 1849, married Alfred Porter Bickford, of Epsom. Noah William, born July 12, 1861, grain merchant and grocer at Pittsfield; mar- ried Clara Jackson. Nathan Jonathan, born Sep- tember 13, 1863, married Ida Marden, children : Ethel and Nathan, Jr.

(V) John Abbott, eldest child of William and Maryetta (Abbott) Goss, was born in Epsom. Au- gust 26, 1847, and died in Pittsfield, February 3, 1903, aged fifty-six years .. He was educated in the common schools and Pittsfield Academy. At the age of fourteen he became an apprentice to learn blacksmithing, which paved the way to car- riage manufacturing, for which he had a decided taste, and in which he was interested througout his entire career. He became a resident of Pittsfield in 1876, entering upon the duties of cashier of the Pittsfield National Bank, succeeding Josiah Car- penter. When it was proposed to move the bank to Dover, Mr. Goss exerted himself with great zeal for its retention in Pittsfield, and was suc- cessful in the undertaking, the bank being reorgan- ized under the direction of a new set of stockhold- ers. and put upon a sound financial basis, Mr. Goss remaining cashier. In 1884 he founded the Farm- ers' Savings Bank, which he called the pride of his life, of which he became treasurer, which office he held until his death. Although professionally de- voted to his duties and responsibilities imposed upon him by three banks, his enterprising mind took a wider range, and through his efforts public conveniences were added to the village. He was active in the organization of the Aqueduct Com- pany, was interested in the formation of the Pitts- field Gas Company, and served as treasurer of both companies from the time of their incorporation un- til his demise. Realizing the value of an institution for higher education in the village, he was a prime mover and active in erecting the buildings of the present Pittsfield Academy. He made his presence felt in the affairs of the town, acting as its treas- urer for ten years, and also as treasurer of the school fund for the same period. In these posi- tions his services were efficient, and he never failed to promote the interests of the town whenever it was possible. In politics he shared the faith of his ancestors. He was elected representative to the state legislature in 1892, and while there was further honored by being one of the representatives of the state of New Hampshire to the World's Columbian Exposition, at Chicago. in 1893. He was an es- teemed Odd Fellow and Mason, a member of Cor- inthian Lodge. No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons, and Suncook Lodge, No. 10, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, fiftieth of Pittsfield, and a valued member of the Amoskeag Veterans of Man- chester. His life was a busy one, as every enter- prise of magnitude in his village or town claimed his attention or assistance in some way. His fel- low citizens reposed great confidence in him, as he never undertook the management of an enterprise in which he did not succeed. He married, June 15, 1869. Electa Ann Carpenter, born August 2. 1847, daughter of Charles H. and Joanna (Maxfield) Carpenter, of Chichester (See Carpenter, XVII), and they became the parents of three children : Charles Carpenter, mentioned hereafter. Clara Helen, who married Herbert B. Fischer, of Boston, assistant cashier of the Pittsfield National Bank.

She died September 22, 1906, leaving one son, Rob- ert Hathaway. William Abbott, a graduate of Hol- derness School for Boys at Plymouth, now a student in Harvard University. Mrs. Goss was educated in the public schools and at a select boarding school in Concord, from which she graduated. After the death of her husband she took his place as cashier in the bank, and has ever since filled the position with great credit to herself and satisfaction to pa- trons. She is a lady of culture and unusual execu- tive ability. and is one of the leaders of Pittsfield in social, financial and educational matters.

(VI) Charles Carpenter, eldest son of John A. and Electa A. ( Carpenter) Goss, was born Febru- ary 9, 1871, in that part of Epsom known as "Goss- ville." In 1876 he was taken by his parents to Pitts- field, where his father was to serve as cashier of the Pittsfield National Bank, of which his maternal grandfather, Charles H. Carpenter, was and still is president. He attended the public schools of Pitts- field and Phillips Exeter Academy, and went from the latter institution to Dartmouth College, where he took the degree of B. S. in 1893. He had literally grown up in the banking business, having been ac- tually employed in the National and Savings Banks from boyhood with intervals in his school life. After graduating from Dartmouth, he was employed in the Shawmut National Bank of Boston. From there he was called home by the last illness of his father to take his place in the Pittsfield banks. During his stay in Pittsfield he was town treas- utrer and prominent in the business and social life of the town. In 1900 he organized the Merchants' National Bank of Dover with Charles H. Carpen- ter, president, John A. Goss, vice-president, and Charles C. Goss, cashier. Mr. Goss removed to Dover, and has since managed that institution and the Merchants' Savings Bank of Dover, which he organized in April, 1901, of which he is treasurer. He is active in' other financial enterprises, is treas- urer of Strafford county, and a director in the Pittsfield National Bank. He is a young man of energy and sterling integrity, and in seeking his own interests he does so only by the fairest means. He is an attendant of the Congregational Church. He is a Master Mason of Moses Paul Lodge, No. 96. Dover ; and a member of Olive Branch Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Dover. He also holds mem- bership in the various social clubs of the town. He is descended from a long line of Revolutionary and Colonial forebears, and through his mother be- longs to one of the wealthiest and most influential families of New Hampshire. He married, June 26, 1895. Winifred Lane, who was born in Pittsfield, April 30, 1875, the only living child of Charles H. and Lorena A. (Perkins) Lane. (See Lane, VII). She was educated in the Pittsfield public schools and the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, New Hamp- shire, graduating from the latter with the class of 1894. In 1892 she became a member of the Congre- gational Church, the church of her fathers-one of her ancestors. Jonathan Perkins, having been a deacon and clerk of that church for forty years. He was her maternal great-great-grandfather. Since rentoving to Dover she has engaged in Sun- day school, church and club work. Probably her deepest interest lies in patriotic work, being a mem- ber of New Hampshire Society of Colonial Dames, and in that line peculiar to the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is widely known both for her ability and for her gracious manner and pleasing address. She is regent of Margery Sulli- van Chapter, Dover, secretary of the state organiza- tion, and one of the managers and corresponding

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secretary of the Children's Home. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Goss, Charles Lane, February 24, 1903.

GOSS In the early colonial records this name is written with a double "f" instead of a double "s." John Goss, his wife Sarah 'and several children, arrived at Boston with Goy- ernor Winthrop in 1630, and settled at Watertown, Massachusetts. John was made a freeman in 1631, and died in 1644. His wife married for her second husband Robert Nichols. John and Sarah Goss were the original American ancestors of nearly all who bear the name in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as the Goss family of Maine is de- scended for the most part from an immigrant who came from England more than a hundred years later. Philip Goss, a descendant of John, was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, in 1720, and in 1764 settled in Winchester, New Hampshire, where he died April 17, 1804.

(I) Joshua Goss, the place and date of whose birth is not at hand, resided in Canaan. There is some slight evidence that he was a son of Thomas Goss, the founder of the Maine family just referred to who came from England in 1756, but a record of this line of the Gosses now in hand is wanting. The christian name of Joshua's wife was Hannah, and his children were Richard. Reuben. John. Levi, Orville. Daniel, Abbie, Sarah and Roxanna.

(II) Colonel Reuben, second son and child of Joshua and Hannah Goss, was a lifelong resident of Canaan. He was married. February 25, 1841, to Susan B. Lathrop, who was born April 30, 1818, and died in 1866. In connection with farming Col- onel Goss operated a mill on the Mascoma river, and he commanded one of the regiments of the state militia. His wife Susan bore him five chil- dren : Isabella L., wife of Elijah Smith, of Canaan ; Harris J .. who is referred to in the succeeding par- agraph; Calista S., deceased ; Wallace R., and Ber- nice E.

(III) Harris J., second child and eldest son of Reuben and Susan B. (Lathrop) Goss, was born in Canaan, January 7, 1845. He was educated in the Canaan common schools, and assisted in car- rying on the homestead farm until enlisting for service in the Civil war as a private in Company F, Eighteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. At the siege of Petersburg he was a veritable target for the enemy, receiving no less than five wounds within the short space of twenty minutes, and he was sent to the Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadel- phia. where he remained until the close of the war. Upon his return from the army he resumed farming in his native town, and is still engaged in that honorable calling. In addition to tilling the soil he has bought and sold real estate, and dealt quite extensively in lumber and firewood. He is one of the leading supporters of the Democratic party in Canaan, and prominently identified with local public affairs, having served as a selectman for several terms, has held all of the other important town offices, and in 1891 was representative to the state legislature. He is a member of Mount Cardi- gan Lodge, No. 31, Knights of Pythias, Canaan, and a comrade of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

On January 8, 1870, Mr. Goss was united in marriage with Lizzie B. Norris, daughter of Benja- min and Zaphira (Ross) Norris, of Dorchester. this state. Of this union there are two children : Ben A., and Ruby I. The latter is the wife of John P. Currier, of Canaan.

Joseph Towle, son of Samuel and Susan (Towle) Goss, was born in Epsom, April 8, 1820, and died in Ilooksett, October 24, 1876. His youth was spent on his father's farm and at study in the common schools. While still a boy he worked some time in the mills at Lowell, Massachusetts, and then settled in Hooksett when about eighteen years of age. After attending Pembroke Academy some time he became a clerk in the store of his brother- in-law, George W. Converse, at Hooksett. In 1845 he purchased the stock of goods and continued the business as sole proprietor until he sold out in 1872. In business he was a successful and leading mer- chant, and much esteemed and respected in the community. As a Republican he was elected to the principal offices of the town, and to a seat in the legislature. He was an attendant of the Congrega- tional Church, and a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, of Suncook. He married, July 22, 1845, Lydia Stearns, who survived him and af- terward married Rev. Moses Patten (see Patten). There was one child of this marriage, Susan Fran- ces Goss, who married John W. Odlin, of Eliza- beth, New Jersey.

The town records of Rowley, Mas- SHEPARD sachusetts, make frequent mention the Shepards-from "30 of Appril, 1666," when "Mr. Samuel Shepard and Mrs. Dorothy Flint were joyned in marriage," down to 1730. This Samuel Shepard, who was a minister, was probably the ancestor of the Ebenezer Shepard, born in 1741. who married Mrs. Jane McCordy, of Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1762.

(I) Ebenezer Shepard was the founder of the Shepard family in New London, New Hampshire, a family which for six generations has maintained an honored and influential place in the town. Eb- enezer won his title of lieutenant in the Revolu- tionary war. He was recorded as a private on the Lexington alarm roll of Captain Aaron Fuller's company, which marched April 19, 1775, from Ded- ham First parish. He was commissioned second lieutenant of the First Suffolk Regiment January 26, 1779, and promoted to first lieutenant the next year, September 12, 1780. According to the records of the First church (Congregational) of Dedham, "July S. 1764, Ebenezer Shepard and Jane his wife took covenant;" and their nine children, born be- tween 1763 and 1780, received infant baptism into that same church. Some time prior to 1790, Lieu- tenant Shepard and his son-in-law, David Smith. removed with their families from Dedham to New London, New Hampshire, and settled in the Low Plain district. We find in Elder Seamans' list of baptisms that Ebenezer Shepard was baptized at New London, June 23, 1790, while the names of his wife, his children and his grandchildren follow at short intervals. Men of the energy and standing of Lieutenant Shepard soon make themselves felt in a community. In 1794 he was chosen tithing- man, and David Smith, highway surveyor. Ebe- nezer was a joiner by trade, but according to the records, he was a large holder of real estate as well. In December, 1794, Ebenezer was moderator of a meeting called to vote for a representative to Con- gress.

Ebenezer Shepard died April 12, ISII, aged sev- enty years. His wife Jane died March 30. 1819, aged eighty years. Their nine children, all born in Dedham, Massachusetts. were Catherine, who married David .Smith : Elizabeth, who married James How Messer: Ebenezer, who married Sally Burpee : Jesse, who married Hannah Paige, of

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Dunbarton ; Hannah, who married Samuel Peaslee, of Sutton, New Hampshire; Mary, who married Jonathan Greeley, of Warner; Sally, who married Jonathan Hunting; Mindwell, who married William Stead; and John, who married Caty Ward. Of these nine children, all of whom married and made creditable records for themselves, the first four with Mary, the sixth, settled in New London, New Hampshire. Hannah and Sally lived in Sutton, a near-by town, while the two youngest went to New York. Mindwell (Mrs. William Stead) lived at Albany, and John became a capitalist in New York City. His son ,William Stead Shepard, became a capitalist like his father, but lived in Albany.

(II) Ebenezer, Jr., eldest son and third child of Lieutenant Ebenezer and Jane (McCordy). Shep- ard. was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1767. Instead of coming to New London with his father, he appears to have gone to Vermont, for he was "of Brookfield," that state, when he married, January 8, 1793, Sally, daughter of Lieutenant Thomas and Joanna (Foster) Burpee, who was born at Rowley, Massachusetts, February 26, 1775. They came to New London in the eighteenth century, because there is record that on June 12, 1800. Ebenezer moved his house from its original location to a place across the road, now owned by Alvin F. Mes- ser. At this moving, Jamies, the eight-year-old son of Elder Seamans, "had his leg crushed in a fright- ful manner." In 1803 Ebenezer, Jr .. moved again, exchanging the Messer place for wild land on Low Plain where is now the present homestead of James E. Shepard. One of the grandchildren remembers hearing Mrs. Sally (Burpee) Shepard tell that they moved earlier that spring than they otherwise should, because they wanted to set their goose. Ebenezer, Jr., was a man of untiring industry and great physical vigor, and was more than ordinarily successful as a farmer. and trader. He died at Wil- mot, New Hampshire, December 7. 1849. His wife survived him less than five months, dying April 25, 1850. They had eleven children. Mary, married Otis Everett. Abigail, married Manning Seamans. Daniel Woodbury, married Jane Hamilton Robin- son. Amial, married Elizabeth Connor. Samuel, married Phebe Hoskins. Jeremiah Burpee, mar- ried (first), Mary Everett, and, after her death. Lavinia Austin. George married Mrs. Abigail (Hill) Chadwick. Sylvester Foster married Cath- erine Barrett. James G. married Mary A. Cogs- well. Benjamin Franklin served in the Civil war, and died unmarried.

(III) Samuel, third son and fifth child of Ebe- nezer, Jr., and Sally (Burpee) Shepard, was born December 9, 1802, at New London, New Hampshire. He married Phebe, daughter of Eli Haskins, of Grafton, New Hampshire. They went to live in Grafton, going by spotted trees a mile into the for- est, and making a clearing in the dense woods. They lived there five years, and then moved to Dan- bury, New Hampshire. They returned to New Lon- don in 1834, and there Samuel lived till his death, May 19, 1861. His wife survived him less than a month, dying June 12, 1861. They had ten chil- dren. William Haskins, the eldest, was twice mar- ried; first to Emeline C. Todd; and second. to Frances Maria Frisbie, daughter of Doctor E. Wil- lard Frisbie, of Phelps, New York. Lucina Hill married Adna Sylvester Fowler and lived in New London. Sarah Burpee married William Slade and finally moved to Merrimack, Wisconsin. Rhoda Emily married James Greeley Trayne and also lived in Merrimack, Wisconsin. Samuel George

married Malvina Abbie Mussey and also migrated to Merrimack, Wisconsin. Martha Albina, the sixth child, graduated from Ripon College, Wis- consin. in 1872, and became a prominent teacher in several states and later a missionary among the Sioux Indians. Sylvester Foster married Helen Comstock and lived in Janesville, Minnesota. Abi- gail Seamans married Jacob H. Todd. She lived in New London, as did her brother, James Eli, who married Lucia Nelson. Franklin Pierce, the tenth and youngest child, lived but a year, dying October 12, 1845.

(IV) James Eli, fourth son and ninth child of Samuel and Phebe (Haskins) Shepard, was born at New London, March 13, 1842. He inherited the vigorous qualities and untiring industry of his an- cestors. He is widely known as a dealer in peat stock and timber, and he is a large owner of real estate. His home farm, The Sheepfold, is one of the finest in New London. Mr. Shepard has been very active in Grange work. He was one of the founders of the New London Grange, and its first master. He has been prominent in the county and state granges and was especially successful as pres- ident of the State Grange Fair Association. He is a Mason, also a member of Heidelberg Lodge, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, has held vari- ous town offices, was delegate to the constitutional convention in 1889, and has received several Demo- cratic state nominations. He is one of New Lon- don's most public-spirited citizens, and since 1891 has been a trustee of Colby Academy. James E. Shepard married November 9, 1863, Lucia, daughter of Mark and Lucia (Fifield) Nelson, of New Lon- đơn. Mrs. Shepard has been of great assistance to her husband, and to her has been due in a large measure the successes that have come to him. They have six children. Charles Everett married Maude Hersey and lives in New London. Lucy Nelson married Wilfred E. Burpee, and lives in Manches- ter. New Hampshire. She is a graduate of Colby Academy, New London, and of the Emerson School of Oratory in Boston. She was a successful teacher previous to her marriage. Frank Sylvester married Stella Hersey and lives in New London. Mary Ellen was graduated from Colby Academy in 1891, and from Smith College in 1897. On September 21, 1897, she married Reverend Clarence E. Clough, of Wilmot Flat, New Hampshire. He was a Colby Academy classmate of his wife's and also a grad- uate of Yale University, 1895. After completing his course at the Divinity School of Chicago University he was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Bloomington, Indiana, where they now live. Mark Nelson, the fifth child, studied at Colby Academy, and is his father's valued assistant at home. Emma Trayne graduated from Colby Acad- emy in 1897, and lives with her parents.

(V) Charles Everett. eldest son and child of James Eli and Lucia (Nelson) Shepard, was born in New London, New Hampshire, November 10, 1864. He inherits to a marked degree the business aptitude that has characterized the Shepard family for so many generations. He was educated at Colby Academy. His first occupation was that of a butcher, and he worked over a large section of country. About 1890 he became associated with Amos H. Whipple in the management of the Potter Place stage line and attended livery stables. In 1900 he bought a half interest in the stage and liv- ery business of A. J. Gould, of which in November, 1905, he became sole proprietor. Mr. Shepard now owns seventy horses, and the stable is the largest

Chut. E. Shehand

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in that section. In summer time he also runs a stable at Lake Sunapee. He has become a well known contractor, and deals in hay, grain, wood and carriages. He employs thirty men, and is ex- tensively engaged in lumbering. He has just com- pleted two sets of buildings for Hon. E. W. Con- verse, of Newton. Massachusetts ; also buildings for B. H. Campbell, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and for W. H. Halsey of Jersey City and and for Abraham Lisner of Washington, District of Columbia. His best piece of work is William Van's house at George's Mills on Lake Sunapee. He has just com- pleted a new drug store at New London. In pol- itics he is a Democrat and has held minor town offices. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Heidel- berg Lodge, No. 92, and has been through all the chairs. He attends the Baptist Church. On Jan- uary 3, 1889, he married Maude Hersey, daughter of Andrew Mellen and Amanda (Jewett) Hersey of Ashland, New Hampshire. She was born Oc- tober 22, 1868. They have five children: Robert Hersey. born April 29, 1890; James Eli, born Jan- tiary 2, 1893; Marion, born September 23, 1896; and twin sons, Mailand C. and Morris Everett, born April 29. 1894. Mrs. Shepard is active in church work and has been secretary and president of the Ladies' Aid Society. Her vivacious disposi- tion makes her a social favorite and draws many people to the hospitable Shepard home.

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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. IV, Part 98

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: 878

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: 878