USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737 : being statistics compiled on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, May 15, 1900 > Part 98
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VI. Oliver Lund, b. 1810, Dec. 2; m., in 1839, Miss Betsey R. Gage, by whom he had two ch .: William Gage7,* b. in 1840, was a member
* Wm. Gage Kendall, b. 1840, March 25, studied dentistry with his uncle Edward, in Paris, France. He was the first soldier from Bedford to enlist for three years in the War of the Rebellion, 1861, May 9. He d. at Camp Beauford, Md., 1861. Nov. 25, the fr-t three-years man that d. from this town. His remains were brought home for burial, the Bedford Light infantry doing escort duty.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
of the Second Regt., N. H. Vols. He d. in camp in 1861; Annice Moore7, b. in 1849, d. in Florence, Italy, in 1898, Aug. His wife dy- ing in 1859, Sept. 6, he m., in 1863, Miss Emily B. Cutter of West- ford, Mass. He d. 1899, Nov. 30; his wife Emily d. 1899, Dec. 11. VI. Eliza, b. 1812, Oct. 7; m. Benjamin F. Emerson of Nashua, N. H .; she d. 1870, Sept. 26. They had two sons: Benjamin Kendall7, now professor of geology at Amherst college, and Charles Edward7, a civil engineer.
VI. Thomas Franklin, b. 1816, Oct. 13; m. 1850, Feb. 21, Miss Jane F. Butterfield. They had two ch .: Ella Jane7, b. 1851, Sept. 11, d. 1902, Oct. 23, and Louis Warren7, b. 1853, Sept. 5, d. 1861, Feb. 4. His wife d. 1884, Jan. 20. He d. 1898, March 15.
V. Charles Henry, b. 1818, Oct. 20, now occupies the old Kendall homestead. He has always taken a deep interest in all that per- tains to the welfare of the center of the town, and has done much to beautify its streets and public grounds. He never sought pre- ferment, political or otherwise, but in 1876 his townsmen elected him delegate to the constitutional convention at Concord.
VI. James Thompson, the youngest son, was b. 1821, Aug. 25. He m. 1851, June 19, Mary Jane McAllaster, dau. of Capt. John McAl- laster. He d. 1877, May 20, and his wife d. 1898, Jan. 1. Four sons were the fruit of this union: John Edward", b. 1852, Sept. 10, d. 1856, April 24; Willis Byron7, b. 1857, March 12, now res. in Manchester, N. H., m. 1891, June 2, Florence M. Pike; George McAllaster7, b. 1858, Nov. 4, lives in Buffalo, N. Y., m. 1902, June 25, Miss Veronica Marie Conrad of Buffalo, N. Y .; Elmer Ells- worth7,b. 1861, March 20, is located in Chicago, Ill., m. 1885, June 30, Adela Frances Parker of Chicago, by whom he has had four daughters and one son: Elma Esther8, b. 1887, April 7; Helen Adela8, b. 1888, Sept. 10; Florence Frances8, b. 1891, Aug. 9; Par- ker8, b. 1894, June 13; Charlotte Lillian8, b. 1898, Feb. 18.
KENDALL.
I. Ephraim Kendall was b. in Amherst, N. H., about 1816, and rem. to Bedford when quite a young man. He m. Mary McClary of Bed- ford, who d. 1859, Aug. 8, aged 41. They had six ch .: James2, b. 1839, Nov. 26; Edmund2, b. 1841, Aug. 19; Esther Jane2, b. 1843, Oct. 22, m. 1865, June, George K. Jewell of Plymouth, N. H., d. 1867, Oct .; Ephraim2, Jr., b. 1846, May 7, moved to Manchester in 1887, and now res. there; Mary Ann2, b. 1848, Oct. 13, m. Warren E. Tripp of Boston, moved to New York, where they now res .; George Franklin2, b. 1851, Dec. 20, d. in May, 1869.
II. James, son of Ephraim1, b. 1839, Nov. 26; moved to Galesville, Wis. When 18 years of age he enlisted in the army, in the Civil war. He d. of wounds received at the siege of Vicksburg, Miss., and was buried near Port Hudson, La.
II. Edmund; son of Ephraim1, b. in Bedford, 1841, Aug. 19; enlisted in the army in 1862, and served until the close of the Civil war, being twice wounded in action. Is now an operative in the Amos- keag mills at Manchester. He m. in New Boston, 1866, June 19, Frances Marie, b. in Stoddard, 1844, Sept. 1, dau. of John S. and Lucretia (Robb) McNeill. They had two ch., b. in Bedford, viz .: John Neill3, b. 1872, March 16; Flora Lucretia3, b. 1874, Aug. 22, m. 1902, March 26, James Edmond, res. in Manchester.
III. John Neill, son of Edmund2, b. 1872, March 16; m. 1896, June 15, Georgia Fowler Miller; res. in Manchester. Ch .: Edmund Mil- ler4, b. 1897, Aug. 16; Dorothy Frances4, b. 1899, Dec. 20; Henry Fowler4, b. 1902, March 20, d. 1902, March 24.
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GENEALOGIES .- KILTON .- KING.
KILTON.
I. Melvin was b. in Grafton, 1833, May 19, son of James M. and Sally (Ford) Kilton; farmer. Has res. here about 20 years. He m. 1859, Feb. 24, Ann M., b. in Grafton, 1841, Oct. 19, dau. of Con- stance and Sarah J. (Prescott) Gile. Have two ch .: Nellie Louise2, b. Grafton, 1859, Dec. 31, m. 1883, May 31, Llewellyn T. Barnard, res. in Goffstown; Orra Gile2, 1862, April 10.
II. Orra Gile, son of Melvin1; m. 1896, March 18, Grace M., b. in Man- chester, 1878, dau. of Fred F. and Mary F. (Stevens) Lane, who have lived here about 10 years; res. in Bedford. Have one son, Earl, b. 1897, Feb. 4.
KING.
I. Asa B. King, m. 1816, Dec. 31, Mary Rolfe; both were of Man- chester. They had six ch .: Asa J.2; Belinda2; Emily2; Henry2; Loammi2; David Cady2; and Solomon2, d. aged 16 mos.
II. Asa J., son of Asa B.1, was b. 1817, Dec. 12; he m. - They had four ch .: George E.3, b. 1857, March 26, m. 1884, June 15, Arie E. Scales, no ch .; John S.3, b. 1859, Aug. 25; Eliza M.3, b. 1865, Oct. 31; Emma E.8, b. 1868, March 27, d. 1890, Jan. 26.
III. John S., son of Asa J.2, b. 1859, Aug. 25; m. 1880, Feb. 22, Estella Balcom. Had four ch .: Ernest S.4; E. Erving4; Grace M.4; Will- iam G.4
III. Eliza M., dau. of Asa J.2, b. 1865, Oct. 31; m. Carleton C. Conant. Have two ch .: Harry4, b. 1897, Feb. 6; Wesley4, b. 1902, Jan.
II. Loammi, son of Asa B.1, m. Mary Elizabeth, b. 1826, Jan. 11, dau. of David and Betsey Cady, who were among the first settlers of Bedford. One of her family was killed by the Indians in the early days. Her father res. in the southwest part of the town, and raised large crops of hops for market. The house has since fallen to decay, and only a large elm tree marks the spot. Mary Eliza- beth m. three times: 1st, Loammi King, who d. in early life; 2d, Ephraim Kendall, who res. near the Pulpit farm; 3d, C. K. Pierce of Goffstown. She d. in Manchester, 1903, Feb. 4. Ch. of Lo- ammi and Mary Elizabeth: Samantha3, b. 1847, March 11, unm., res. at The Weirs, N. H .; Martha Jane3, b. 1852, July 23, m. Frank M. Forsaith of Manchester, where they now res .; Mary Annah3, b. 1854, Aug. 17; Ida Elizabeth,8, b. 1856, April 9, unm., res. in Manchester; George Asa3, b. 1858, April 19.
III. Mary Annah, dau. of Loammi2, b. 1854, Aug. 17; m. John E. Tuson of Manchester, where they now res. Had ch .: Edwin F.4, b. 1847, Feb. 16; Albert M.4, b. 1880, Jan. 1.
III. George Asa, son of Loammi2, b. 1858, April 19; m. 1878, Aug. 6, Clara E., b. 1839, Sept. 29, dau. of Ebenezer C. and Lydia (Eaton) French. They res. in the northwest part of the town, known as District No. 8. They had two ch .: Allen French4 and Alice Lizzie4 (twins), b. 1880, April 24. The latter d., aged 4 mos. Allen French grad. from McGaw Normal institute at Reed's Ferry, 1899, June 9.
II. David Cady, son of Asa B.1, was b. in Derry, 1836, Oct. 11. He m. in Salem, N. H., 1857, Jan. 10, Sarah Messer Nichols, b. in Suna- pee, 1823, Feb. 4. He d. 1902, July 9, and his wife d. in Salem, N. H., 1901, Jan. 4. They had three ch., all b. in Derry, viz .: Helen Lizzie3, b. 1858, March 29, m. 1880, July 5, John T. Little- field of Salem; Mary Abbie8, b. 1861, March 28, m. 1881, Jan. 10, John H. Pierce of Derry; John Edmund3, b. 1863, June 19.
III. John Edmund, son of David Cady2, b. 1863, June 19; m. 1886, Sept. 29, Jennie Isabelle Ross of Salem. They had ch .: Walter Ed- mund4, b. 1887, Aug. 1. Ethel Isabelle4, b. 1892, Jan. 2; Mildred Verna4, b. 1896, Oct. 15; George Samuel4, b. 1899, July 16.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
KINSON.
I. John Kinson with his wife were among the early settlers of the town of Weare, and had a family of five ch .: Olive2; Anna2; Mary2, Joseph2; and Deborah2.
II. Joseph m. Sally Colby, and had ch .: Harriet3, m. Jesse George; John3; Achsah3, m. George Way of Bedford; Apphia3, m. Athmore Emerson, and had two ch., Abbie4 and Elvira4; Richard3, m. Susan Cilley.
III. John, b. 1820, May 6; d. 1877, July 18, came to Bedford and m., 1844, Dec. 18, Elizabeth A. Gault, b. 1817, Nov. 19, d. 1873, March 28. Ch .: Mary Jane4, b. 1845, Nov. 21; John4, b. 1847, Sept. 30, d. Mondovi, Wash., 1892, June, m. Lena Bell Butley, 1875, July 15; Francena Agnes4, b. 1849, June 13; Harriet E.4, b. 1851, April 9, d. 1853, Oct. 15 .; Jared P.4, b. 1854, Nov. 15, d. 1858, March 15; Lucy M.4, b. Merrimack, 1857, Feb. 1; Lyman Marshall4, b. Merrimack, 1860, July 2, m. 1886, March 2, Eunice Stevens, b. 1856, Nov. 5.
IV. Mary Jane, dau. of John3, b. 1849, June 13, m. Bedford, 1863, Nov. 26, Jed. Frye Patterson of Merrimack, b. 1834, July 26, d. Rum- ney, 1898, Dec. 3. Ch .: Sarah Lizzie5, b. Merrimack, 1865, June 15; Jed. Frye5, b. Dorchester, 1874, Dec. 27, d. Bedford, 1869, April 21; Otto Ansell5, b. Dorchester, 1874, Dec. 27; Jed Edward5, 'b. Dorchester, 1876, May 26; James Perkins5, b. Dorchester, 1878, May 3, d. 1879, April 22.
V. Sarah Lizzie (Patterson), dau. of Mary Jane4, b. 1865, June 15; m. in Canaan, 1884, Feb. 21, Sylvester Davis Clough of Dorches- ter, b. Putney, Vt., 1855, d. Rumney, 1899, Dec. 21. One ch., Lela Mae6, b. Rumney, 1889, Aug. 29.
V. Otto Ansell (Patterson), son of Mary Jane4, b. 1874, Dec. 27; m. Ply- mouth, 1900, Aug. 15, Minnie Florence Caldon of Rumney. Two ch .: Bernard Otto6, b. Rumney, 1901, June 8, d. 1901, June 16; Ethel Mae6, b. Plymouth, 1902, Aug. 24.
V. Jed. Edward (Patterson), son of Mary Jane4, born 1876, May 26; m. Concord, 1899, Sept. 16, Mary Gertrude Shastany. Two ch .: Jed. Edward6, b. 1901, Dec. 11, d. 1902, Feb. 1; Elizabeth Genevieve6, b. 1902, Nov. 26.
IV. Francena Agnes, dau. of John3, b. 1849, June 13; m. 1875, Feb. 2, John Quimby of Dorchester. Ch .: Leona Mynola5, b. 1875, Nov. 27, m. 1898, May 21, George Rowan, b. 1867, Feb. 12; John5, b. 1877, Nov. 28; Chester Burnell5, b. 1880, Jan. 14; Ila Zella5, b. 1882, Jan. 9, m. 1900, Dec. 17, Arthur M. Cole, d. 1902, Jan. 5, one ch., Custer S.6, b 1901, June 18; Clyde5, b. 1884, March 31; Daisy May5, b. 1886, July 31.
LORD.
I. Jesse Lord, father of Samuel Lord, came from Bury, Lancashire, Eng., in 1818, and settled in Pawtucket, R. I. The following year, 1819, he sent for his family consisting of his wife, one dau., Alice2, and four sons, Samuel2, James2, Richard2, and Benjamin2. His wife being sick with consumption came as far as Liverpool and d. there; the dau. remaining with her mother, afterwards m. in England, but came to America later. The four sons came to America and joined the father.
II. Samuel began to learn hand engraving for calico printing in Eng- land, but as there were no print works in America at that time, he went to work in the Slater cotton mill, the first cotton mill in America, and still in existence. Afterwards he moved to Lowell, Mass., then to Taunton, Mass., to finish his trade. He moved to Manchester, N. H., in 1852, July, to take charge of the engraving
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GENEALOGIES .- LORD.
in the print works, and a few years later bought a farm in Bed- ford, but continued to work at his trade until about 1870, when he came to live on the farm until the death of his son, James, who carried on the farm, when he went to Attleboro, Mass., but returned to Manchester, N. H., in 1891, Sept., and d. at the home of his dau., 1893, July 26, aged 91 years, 3 months. He m. 1823, Oct. 9, Sarah Worsley, dau. of John and Sarah (Hallam) Worsley, who came from Bury, Lancashire, Eng., in 1819, and settled in Pawtucket, R. I. She was b. 1805, Nov. 4, and d. 1852, June 11. They had twelve ch. In 1856, Aug., he m. Caroline N. Carpen- ter, who d. 1863, Feb. In Nov., 1865, he m. Lucy H. Brooks, who d. 1892, Aug. 19, at Providence, R. I. The ch. of Samuel and Sarah were as follows:
III. Abby Ann, b. 1824, Aug. 29; m. George R. Haswell, 1841, Oct. 25. Ch .: Arthur Wilder, b. 1842, Aug. 3, d. 1843, Aug. 17; Eugene Gerald4, b. 1844, Feb. 9, enlisted in Second N. H., afterwards reënlisted in Second U. S. cavalry, was wounded in second battle of Bull Run, and d. in the hospital at David's Island, N. Y., 1863, April 2; Arthur Wheldon4, b. 1846, Jan. 19, enlisted in Ninth N. H., wounded at battle of the wilderness, taken pris- oner, and d. in hospital in Richmond, Va., 1864, July 20. Res. in Manchester, N. H.
III. Sarah Davis, b. Oct. 15, 1826; res. Manchester, N. H.
III. Dwight Armstead, b. 1828, April 12; m. Evelyn L. Baker, 1847, March 11; d. 1875, July 12. Ch., Ella Maria4, b. 1848, March 4, d. 1852, July 20; Clara Waldo4, b. 1850, April 7, d. 1853, June 5; Dwight Clarence4, b. 1855, Dec. 6, m. Sophia Cook, 1879, May 20, has two ch., Clarence Arthur5, b. 1881, Dec. 19, Ida5, b.1886, April 10. Res. East Greenwich, R. I.
III. Samuel Bentley, b. 1829, Sept. 4; m. Mary Brierly, 1850, Nov. 5. Ch .: Ellen Cora4, b. 1851, Aug. 3, m. Frederick E. Drowne, 1879, June 22, has two ch., Frederick L.5, b. 1881, Aug. 28, Frank O.5, b. 1886, May 16; Charles Waldo4, b. 1853, Oct. 16, m. Mina Gibbs, 1881, July 7, has three ch., Charles Bentley5, b. 1882, May 30, Howard R.5, b. 1893, Dec. 15, Ralph5, b. 1898. Res. Pawtucket, R. I. III. William Worsley, b. 1832, Feb. 27, d. 1832, Dec. 12, Taunton, Mass. III. John Henry, b. 1834, Feb. 13, d. 1899, Dec. 28; m. Emily A. Berry, 1859, Sept. 22. He served in the First N. H. battery, and was wounded. Ch .: Henry A.4, b. 1861, May 4, m. Eva A. Pond, 1886, Jan. 20, ch., Emilie Anna5, b. 1889, Jan. 13; William Arthur4, b. 1866, July 24, d. 1869, Jan. 4. Res. Attleboro, Mass.
III. James Scott, b. 1836, Dec. 4, d. 1882, Sept. 1. Enlisted in Fifteenth N. H. The only drafted man from Bedford who enlisted, the others procured substitutes; res. Bedford.
III. George, b. 1838, Oct. 15, d. 1841, Feb. 16, at Pawtucket, R. I.
III. Frank Jesse, b. 1842, Feb. 5; m. Annie Macomber, 1866, Nov. 29. Ch .: Lizzie Gertrude4, b. 1871, Jan. 14; Frank Clifford4, b. 1874, April 26, enlisted in Illinois, and afterwards served in the U. S. signal corps. Res. Berkeley, Mass.
III. Edward Delos Lord, adopted by Mrs. H. C. Parker, and took her name, b. 1844, July 24; m. 1st, Elizabeth G. Salisbury, 1866, Nov. 1, who d. 1895, Jan. 27. Ch .: Arthur L.4, b. 1867, June 4, m. Olive Nadeau, 1895, ch., Ruth5, b. 1898, Aug .; Courtland Foster4, b. 1872, April 7, d. 1873, Aug. 2; Elward Stark4, b. 1874, May 23. He m. Mary E. Congdon, 1896, May 12, for his 2d wife. Ch .: John Kil- burn4, b. 1899, Sept 14. Res. Providence, R. I.
III. Waldo Ames, b. 1846, Dec. 15; m. Emma F. Cole, 1869, May 21. Ch .: Lena A.4, b. 1870, Feb .; Hattie4, b. 1871, Sept. 15; Jessie4, b. 1876, Feb. He m. for his 2d wife, Rosa Blaisdell; res. Hampton, Conn. III. Alice Gertrude, b. 1848, May 22; m. Joseph G. Adams, 1888, Jan. 19; res. Manchester, N. H.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
MACK.
The Mack family originally resident in Bedford were descendants of John Mack' and his wife Isabella, who was dau. of Sir John Brown, a titled nobleman, being a peer in the realm of Ireland. Mr. Mack was of Scotch ancestry, though himself probably b. in Ireland. In 1732 he and his wife emigrated to America from Londonderry, Ireland, and settled in Londonderry, N. H. He was a blacksmith, and a specimen of his handicraft is preserved in the collection of the N. H. Historical society. He was b. in 1698, and d. 1753, April 12. His wife d. in 1770. Their ch. were: William2, Janette2, John2, Robert2, Martha2, Elizabeth2, Andrew2, and Daniel2.
II. Andrew, son of John1, b. in 1748, d. 1820, July 11; m. 1774, Oct. 25, Elizabeth Clark, b. in 1748, d. 1830, Feb. 14, dau. of Robert Clark of Derry, and res. in Londonderry. He was a prosperous farmer, a skilled artisan, and prominent in town affairs. Their ch. were: Jane3, b. 1775, Oct. 22, d. 1850, April 20; Letitia3, b. 1777, May 6, d. 1849, Jan. 12; Elizabeth3, b. 1778, Nov. 10, m. Hon. David Stiles of Temple, who d. 1873, March 27, she d. 1873, March 27; John3, b. 1780, Aug. 7, m. Phebe Goodrich of Lyndeborough for his 1st wife, and Hannah Abbott of Wilton for his 2d wife, who d. 1854, July 16, he d. 1854, July 16; Isabella3, b. 1782, March 9, d. 1812, June; Robert3, b. 1784, Feb. 16, m. 1813, Anne Clark, dau. of Robert Clark of New Boston, he d. 1870, Sept. 9; An- drew3, b. 1786, Jan. 19, m. Maria L. Burns, 1824, Jan. 12, d. 1875, June 16, grad. at Dartmouth college, 1808; Daniel3, b. 1788, Dec. 14, d. 1878, Aug. 12.
III. Daniel (see Biographical Sketch), son of Andrew2, settled in Bed- ford in 1812, and followed the occupation of a blacksmith. In 1820, Nov. 20, he m. Sophia Kendrick, b. 1784, Feb. 5, d. 1872, March 16, dau. of Stephen Kendrick of Amherst. In 1836 he was elected an elder in the Presbyterian church, and was twice chosen a delegate from the Londonderry Presbytery to the general assembly of the Presbyterian church of the United States. Their ch. were Daniel Kendrick4, b. 1821, Aug. 9; Rufus4, b. 1823, Aug. 1, d. 1844, June 13; Sophia Neal4, b. 1826, Sept. 16, d. 1827, July 28; Isabella4, b. 1828, May 11, d. 1841, Aug. 28.
IV. Daniel Kendrick, son of Daniel3, b. 1846, Jan. 20; m. Mary Ann, b. 1821, Feb. 22, d. 1853, Nov. 8, dau. of Deacon John French of Bedford. They had two daughters, Harriet Ann5, b. 1848, Oct. 27, and Isabella Graham5, b. 1851, Feb. 24. Isabelle grad. at Mount Holyoke seminary in 1875; was a teacher there from 1875 to 1885, when she returned home to aid in the care of her parents; and since their decease has continued to reside at the old homestead in West Manchester. For his 2d wife, Mr. Mack m. 1856, Oct. 8, Mary Baldwin, b. 1826, June 26, d. 1896, Sept. 23, dau. of Samuel D. Baldwin of Mont Vernon, by whom he had no ch. He d. 1895, Feb. 9.
V. Harriet Ann, dau. of Daniel Kendrick, b. 1872, July 16; m. William Ela Buck, b. 1838, April 8, a native of Hampstead. In 1886 Dartmouth college conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. He was a teacher and superintendent of schools forty-one years, serving as teacher eighteen years, eight of them as principal of grammar schools in the city of Manchester; and here he subsequently served as superintendent of public schools for twenty-three years. He resigned the position in June, 1900, on account of poor health. Their ch. are: George Kendrick6, b. 1874, Sept. 9, grad. at Williams college in 1896; Walter French6, b. 1876, Jan. 3, grad. at New Hampshire college in 1897; Burton
961
GENEALOGIES .- MACK.
Winthrop6, b. 1878, Jan. 19, grad. at Dartmouth college in 1900; Arthur Ela6, b. 1880, Jan. 28, grad. at Dartmouth college in 1901, a post-grad. of Harvard university, 1902, and at this writing (1903), a student at the University of Leipsic, Germany; Edward Morris6, b. 1882, Nov. 4, d. 1883, July 12; Helen Isabella6, b. 1883, Oct. 29, at this writing a member of the Sophomore class at Mount Holyoke college.
DEACON DANIEL MACK.
By John K. McQuesten.
The subject of this sketch was born in Londonderry, N. H., in 1788. He was the youngest of a family of eight children born to Andrew and Eliza- beth (Clark) Mack. Of the ancestry of the Mack family nothing is known prior to John Mack, who married Sybella, daughter of Sir John Brown. John and Sybella Mack emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, to London- derry, N. H., where they located previous to 1736. So much has been said and written of the characteristics of this strong Scotch-Irish people, it does not seem needful here to say more than that Deacon Mack was a typical product of that virile race.
In the absence of details as to his childhood and youth, it may be as- sumed that his circumstances differed in no material respect from those of most other boys of that day. He doubtless performed his full share of the labors of the farm, and at an early age began to work in his father's blacksmith shop, thus learning the trade which was his occupation till late in life. His school advantages were very limited. It is doubtful if dis- trict schools were in session more than eighteen weeks in a year in those days, and not many boys could attend the short summer term after the age of ten years. There is, however, one fact to be borne in mind in this con- nection. Young Mack was the youngest of a family of eight children, strong in mental qualities and scholarly ambitions, who have taken high rank in both business affairs and educational matters. Such an inheri- tance, and a memory well nigh infallible, were important factors in fitting him for the duties of life. In such an environment he was trained to read intelligently, to reason logically, and to accept righteousness as the rule of life.
In 1812, then at the age of twenty-four, Mr. Mack located in Piscata- quog, and there began his lifework. He left home expecting to establish himself in Boscawen, but the outlook in that town was not to his mind; so he turned his face southward, intending to find work in Massachusetts. He stopped at the tavern of William Parker, Esq., in Piscataquog, for a night's lodging, and in the course of conversation it became known that Mr. Mack was a blacksmith, and was looking for a place in which he might locate in that business. Mr. Parker at once informed him that there was a vacant shop across the river, and that a blacksmith was needed in the neighborhood. After a cursory investigation he decided to begin there, and did so, doubtless without once thinking that more than sixty years of life, with all its varied experiences, its joys and sorrows, its hopes and disappointments, were before him in that place.
An incident, illustrative of the customs of the times, occurred soon after he opened shop. An elder in the church in Bedford was among his first patrons. He brought a yoke of oxen to be shod, and after the first animal had been placed in the sling, the elder asked, "Where is the bottle?" The smith's answer was, "I have none and do not intend to keep one." In that day a customer was expected to furnish a pint of rum when he had a pair of oxen shod. This was years before Lyman Beecher and his asso- ciates began the temperance movement which all the churches adopted, and which is broader and deeper in its effects to-day than ever before. Mr. Mack was a thorough-going temperance man all through life.
62
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
The variety of work done by men of his trade was much greater than at present. The hardware store of to-day was not then in existence, and if an article in iron was needed the blacksmith was expected to supply it. Any work called for was done at this shop. Mr. Mack could make a bet- ter plow than any man in the region, and temper steel to perfection. His industry was proverbial. When occasion demanded he wrought sixteen hours a day, and there was nothing perfunctory about his work. His mo- tive of action was to do all he could afford for what he should be paid, and not to spend unnecessary time in doing a thing that he might claim the more for its accomplishment.
In 1830 a great revival of religion occurred, and at this time Mr. Mack, with many others, united with the church. He was then forty-two years old. Up to this time he had lived an active and energetic life, character- ized chiefly by efforts to acquire property. Though always moral in con- duct and speech, a regular church attendant and liberal supporter, he did not till this time publicly identify himself with the church. This profes- sion was with him a momentous thing, and no one who knew the man could doubt for a moment the reality of his conversion. The cause he es- poused became dominant. The study of the scriptures engrossed his spare time; he attended all religious meetings held in the neighborhood, and heartily contributed to their support. In his case the zeal of the new con- vert continued to the end. At that time the mid-week service was held in the afternoon. This meeting was by him attended as regularly as were the Sunday services, and never considered lost time. He was a liberal supporter of the cause of missions, and of other benevolent objects. He gave one hundred dollars a year to the American Board, and in some in- stances more than that. It would doubtless be a surprise to many who knew him if the aggregate of his benefactions were known. An enter- prise having the advancement of Christianity as its object, found in him a friend and cordial supporter.
In 1836 Mr. Mack was made an elder, and he served in that capacity thirty years. He was chosen clerk and treasurer of the session in 1841, and was twice sent as a representative of the Londonderry Presbytery to the general assembly of the United States.
During the early struggles of the college and seminary at Oberlin, O., those having the interests of that institution in charge made strenuous efforts to induce families of high character to settle in the town, so that the community, socially, might be in harmony with the aims of the college. Among the families sought was that of Deacon Mack. This circumstance not only indicates what the character of the man and his family was, but shows that their reputation was more than local.
At the time when the subject of this sketch connected himself with the church, and previously throughout its history, the doctrines of Calvinism were very prominent. Possibly not so much so, however, as in some towns adjacent to Bedford, yet the teachings of the great Genevan were sufficiently conspicuous. When we consider the traditions of the race from which Deacon Mack sprang, and the attitude commonly held by the Presbyterian church of that day, one might suppose that the Deacon would have been found in the front rank of the defenders of those severe doctrines. But to the credit of the man, and in honor to his memory, let it be said he cared less for theological distinctions and points of doctrine than for doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly before God. He could, however, intelligently argue points and well support his argu- ments; and he was as well informed in old school and new school contro- versies as were his contemporaries, but he looked upon these things as of little value compared with the regeneration of human nature.
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