USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Brookline > History of Brookline, formerly Raby, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire : with tables of family records and genealogies > Part 18
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His paternal great-grandfathers, Edmund Parker and Abijah Boynton, and his maternal great-grandfathers, Nathan Corey and David Wright, were soldiers in the War of the Revolution.
He prepared for college at Phillips Exeter Academy and at Mont Vernon Appleton Academy, graduating at the latter institution in 1863. He served for Brookline in the War of the Rebellion, enlisting in the United States Navy Aug. 20, 1863. His service was performed on the United States Ship Perry, of which he was yeoman. He was honorably discharged from the service at Philadelphia in October, 1864, by reason of the expiration of his term of enlistment. In the spring of 1865, with a determination to complete his education, he entered Colby Academy at New London, graduated there in the summer and entered Dartmouth College in the autumn, where he graduated in the class of 1869. For the three years immediately following his graduation he was engaged in teaching school. He was principal of Warrensburg Academy, Warrens- burg, N. Y., in 1869-70; principal of Wareham, Mass., High School in the fall of 1870. Meantime he decided to make the law his profession, and so resigned his position at the end of the first term and entered the law office of Thomas Cunningham at Warrensburg, N. Y., where he re- mained six months. Returning to New England and feeling the neces- sity of saving money with which to pursue his studies, he accepted the position of principal of the high school at Middleboro, Mass., and taught one year.
In August, 1872, Judge Parker became a resident of Nashua. He entered the office of Gen. Aaron F. Stevens, and while studying law was principal of a Nashua evening school and engaged from time to time in reporting for the newspapers. He was admitted to the Hillsborough County bar at the March term of the court held at Amherst in 1873. Immediately after he formed a co-partnership with General Stevens under the firm name of Stevens and Parker, which continued until July, 1879; when, on the resignation of Judge Henry E. Burnham of Man- chester, he was appointed judge of probate by Governor Cheney. He held the position of Judge of Probate of Hillsborough County until Jan.
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7, 1912, a period of thirty-two and one-half years, when his term of office expired by reason of his having reached the age of seventy years; an age to which, under the state's constitution, the terms of office of all the state's judges are limited.
Among the complimentary articles concerning Judge Parker which were published in the various newspapers of the County at the expira- tion of his term of office, the following, written by Col. Elbridge J. Copp who, as register of probate, was associated with him during the entire term, appeared in the editorial columns of the Nashua Daily Telegraph under date of Jan. 6, 1912:
"In the retirement of Judge Edward E. Parker from the office of Judge of Probate the people of Hillsborough County meet with a loss that cannot at once be filled; the unfortunate provision of the Constitu- tion of New Hampshire fixing an age limit to the judges of our courts has proven detrimental in more cases than otherwise.
"It is recognized by all who have business with the Probate Court, and have been associated with Judge Parker that his mental powers and administrative abilities are at their best, his thirty years experience and his mature judgment in the application of the laws of probate in the settlement of estates is a valuable asset to the people of the County of Hillsborough that is lost in his retirement. To sit in judgment in the unsnarling of complicated conditions that are incident to the probating of estates is not the work for ordinary minds. In the practice of the Probate Court hardly any two estates are settled in identically the same way, new conditions are continually rising, and frequently where no prece- dent is found, that must be settled in the discretion of the Judge of Probate by the application of principles.
"The importance of the office is perhaps not fully appreciated by the public, practically the entire property of the County passes through the Probate Court once in about thirty years, involving of course large in- terests, calling for administrative ability, sound judgment and broad dis- cretion of power, even more than that of Judges of the Superior Court.
"In Judge Parker we have found these qualities to a rare degree. In education, in his experience, in his natural intuitive judgment, and with a mind characterized by strong common sense and a love of justice, he has been eminently equipped for the position he has so honorably filled.
"The writer is in position to perhaps better know Judge Parker's official life than most people; for thirty years I have been in most inti-
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mate official relations with him, I have known every official act, the history of every case, leading to his every decree.
"In all the thousands of cases in all these years that have passed through Judge Parker's hands, he has been true to his convictions of justice, uninfluenced by personal friendship or selfish interest, giving to every one in interest so far as was in his power, all of his or her inherited rights.
"Never was the custody of a minor child upon petition for guardi- anship granted without the consent of, or an opportunity given to be heard to the parent, whatever representation may have been made as to the unfitness of the natural parent; never was the widow's rights more jeal- ously guarded than by Judge Parker; in short, never was the seat of justice graced by a more upright judge, and without ambition further than to do his whole duty in the position he was filling, from day to day.
"Judge Parker's native ability would undoubtedly have brought to him wealth and honor in the practice of his profession, or if he had so chosen, he would have gained high honors in the political field, but what to him has been a loss has been a personal gain to those whom he has served, and is it not the highest honor, after all, to have gained and re- tained the love and respect of your fellowmen?
"I think I express the sentiment of all the people of Hillsborough County, and more than of Hillsborough County, regardless of political creed, that it is with profound regret that we bid him good-bye, as Judge of Probate, and in his retirement to private life, sincerely hope that he may enjoy many years of health and happiness, so richly earned."
During his residence of forty years in Nashua, Judge Parker has held many positions of honor and trust. He was a member of the committee appointed by the Governor in 1902 for the revision and unification of the forms used in the probate courts of the state. He was city solicitor in 1876 and 1877, has served twelve years on the board of education, of which he was president in 1902, and in 1901 was elected as a member of the board of trustees of the public library; a position which he is holding at the present time. He has served several terms as moderator of Ward 4, and represented the ward as its delegate in the constitutional conven- tions holden at Concord in 1902 and 1910.
Judge Parker was made a Mason in Benevolent Lodge A. F. and A. M. of Milford in 1868. At the present time he is a member of Rising Sun Lodge A. F. and A. M. of Nashua. He is a member of John G. Fos. ter Post, G. A. R., of Nashua, of which he is a past commander. He has held appointments on the staff of the Commander-in-chief, and served
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twice as Judge Advocate General of the department of New Hampshire, G. A. R., the last time in 1893. He was delegate-at-large to the Na- tional Encampment, G. A. R., at Louisville, Ky., in Spetember, 1895. He is past-commander of the Department of New Hampshire, G. A. R., having holden that position in 1903-1904; and was in command of the department at the National Encampment, G. A. R., holden at San Francisco, Cal., in 1903.
As a lawyer, Judge Parker stands high in his profession. He is a pleasing public speaker and has delivered many addresses on Memorial Days and other public occasions. He was the orator-of-the-day at the celebration of the opening of the Brookline and Pepperell railroad at Brookline in 1892. He is a writer of ability both in poetry and prose. He was centennial poet at the celebration of the centennial year of Dart- mouth College in 1869; and the same year officiated as poet at the cen- tennial celebration of Brookline. In the past forty years he has written many poems of acknowledged merit which have been published in leading newspapers and magazines. Among his published prose works are the following:
"John Lovewell, Sr.," published in Granite State Magazine of Man- chester, June 8, 1908. He was one of the authors, and was editor-in- chief, of the History of Nashua, published in 1897. At the present time he is engaged in writing this work, of which he is the compiler. He is a member of the Congregational Church in Brookline.
Judge Parker was united in marriage Dec. 20, 1877, with Alice Prince Hammond, youngest daughter of Dr. Evan B. and Sarah Ann (Adams) Hammond, whose lineage appears in a sketch of the life of the former, given in the History of Nashua.
The children of their marriage are Rena Deverd, born Nov. 23, 1878; graduated at Wellesley College in 1901. At present time (1912) teacher of art in the High School of Practical Arts, Boston, Mass .; Edna Alice, born Dec. 13, 1880; graduated at Mt. Holyoke College in 1903; at pres- ent time teacher of sciences in the High School at Manchester, Mass.
REV. GEORGE HENRY HARDY, a son of Ephraim Lund and Delana (Lapham) Hardy, was born in Brookline, Nov. 15, 1849. He prepared for college in the public schools of his native town, the Mount Pleasant Grammar School, Nashua, and Phillips Exeter Academy. He graduated at Wesleyan University in 1874, and at Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N. J., in 1876.
He was licensed to preach by the Methodist Quarterly Conference at Middletown, Conn., Feb. 16, 1874. In 1874-75 he was principal of
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Spring Valley Academy, Madison, N. J .; from 1875 to 1876 he taught Latin and mathematics in Madison Institute, N. J. In 1876 he was ad- mitted on trial to the New Hampshire Conference. April 4, 1878, he was ordained as deacon by Bishop Merril at Lancaster, and April 11, 1880, as elder, by Bishop Andrews at Great Falls.
Appointments-Henniker, 1876-77; Groveton, 1878; Mouton- ville, 1879-80, with Chickville and North Wakefield in 1880; Moulton- borough, 1881; Gilford Village, 1882; Grantham and North Grantham, 1883-85; Peterborough, 1886-89; North Charlestown and West Unity, 1889-93; West Rindge, 1894-95; Conference Historian, Ashburnham, Mass., 1896-1913.
May 24, 1876, he married Emma, daughter of George Washington and Nancy Smith (Brainard) Guy, of Middletown, Conn.
ALVIN H. WRIGHT, M. D., a son of Moses and Henrietta (Gard- ner) Wright, was born in Brookline, March 23, 1857. He attended the public schools of Brookline and Hollis, graduating from the Hollis High School in 1885. Shortly after his graduation from the high school, he entered a technical school in Nashua, working half of each school day as a machinist apprentice, and pursuing his studies the other half. In 1886, his health being in poor condition, he returned to Hollis and studied medicine for one year in the office of Dr. L. R. Qua. He then entered the medical school of the University of Vermont; from which he gradu- ated with honors in 1891, being one of five men in his class to attain to that distinction.
Soon after his graduation from the medical school, he accepted a posi- tion in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, by which he was commissioned as its resident surgeon in the territory of New Mexico. In 1892 the company transferred him from New Mexico to Ottawa, Kans., where he was placed in charge of its hospital in that town. In 1900, he resigned from the company's employment and established in Ottawa a private hospital of his own, which he continued to conduct in connection with his surgical practice until 1903; when, his health giving out, he disposed of his business in Ottawa and removed to San Francisco, Cal., where he has ever since been located.
At the present time (1911) Dr. Wright is professor of Clinical surgery, and demonstrator of anatomy in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco. His prospects for a life of usefulness and prosperity are of the most flattering nature.
In 1890 he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Olive Bartlett Sanborn of Burlington, Vt., by whom he has had two children, Olive F.
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Wright and Alvin H. Wright, Jr .; both of whom are living at the present time.
JAMES E. PEABODY, a son of George W. and Frances (Hall) Peabody, was born in Brookline, Aug. 21, 1869. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and in Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass .; graduating from the latter institution in 1889 as valedictorian of his class. He graduated from Williams College in 1892. From 1892 to 1895 he was principal of the Williamstown, Mass., High School. He was employed for five years in the United States Fish Commission and Marine Biographical Laboratories at Woods Hole; during which time he pub- lished an original paper on the structure and functions of certain sense organs of the shark. In 1896-97, he graduated at Harvard University with the degree of A. M. During his course at Harvard he taught in Radcliffe College. In 1896-97, he taught in the English High School and also in the evening High Schools of Boston. Since 1897 he has been at the head of the department of biology in the Morris High School, New York City; has published a book on "Laboratory Exercises in Physiology" a book on "Studies in Physiology," and, at the time of this writing, has nearly ready for the press a book on High School "Biology"; he has been secretary of the New York Association of Science Teachers, twice presi- dent of the New York Association of Teachers of Biology, and twice chairman of both the state and the New York City Committees for the preparation of geology syllabus outlines and for the nature study syllabus. At the present time (1911) he is clerk of the Westchester, N. Y., Congre- gational Church, and resides in Scarsdale, N. Y.
July 13, 1898, Mr. Peabody married Sarah Emma Barrett of Barre, Mass. Two children have been born of this marriage: Elizabeth Barrett, born Aug. 30, 1900; George Wellington, born Aug. 17, 1907.
GEORGE HAVEN ABBOTT was born at Charleston, S. C., Oct. 7, 1876. He is a son and the only child of Rev. Thomas Jefferson and Theresa Maria (Seaver) Abbott. His father was a member of an old and excellent Vermont family. On the maternal side of his family, he is a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of Lieut. Robert Seaver, and also of Capt. Samuel Douglass, each of whom served for Brookline as Com- missioned officers in the War of the Revolution.
Shortly after his birth, his father resigned his position as pastor over a church of the Methodist Episcopal denomination located in Charleston, S. C., and with his family returned north, where he died soon after his return. Upon the death of his father, his mother with her infant son returned to Brookline, where she resided with her father, Asa Seaver, until her death.
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Mr. Abbott prepared for college in the public schools of this town and at Tilton Seminary, Tilton, N. H., where he graduated with honors in 1894. He graduated from Yale University in 1898, with honors, receiv- ing the degree of B. A., and being elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. For the two years immediately succeeding his graduation, he was a member of the Harvard Law School. July 1, 1899, he entered the law office of Weeks, Battles and Marshall in New York City. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in February, 1902, and immediately associated himself in the law business with Barton S. Weeks, in New York City. At the end of two years he severed his connection with Mr. Weeks, and opened a law office for himself at No. 58 Nassau Street, where he is located at the present time.
Oct. 31, 1906, he was united in marriage with Katharine Faith Har- grave, daughter of William Gillard and Katherine Hargrave, of New York City. He is a member of the New York Athletic Club, Republican Club, Yale Club, Lawyer's Club, and New York Bar Association. No children.
ELMO DUSTIN LANCEY, a son of Ferdinand and Katherine (Robins) Lancey, was born in Brookline Oct. 5, 1871. He was prepared for college in the schools of his native town and at Cushing Academy. He graduated at Brown University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1899. "After graduation from college, he engaged in the insurance business at Providence until his health began to fail. In 1898 he removed to the West, hoping to arrest his disease, which was con- sumption. He lived at Salt Lake City, Utah, at Denver, Col., and at Albuquerque, N. M. At last he gave up all hope of recovery and returned to the east to die." He died at Providence, R. I., Dec. 21, 1901, aged thirty years, two months and nineteen days.
Mr. Lancey was a member, originally, of the Congregational Church of this town, but later, at the time of his death, of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Providence. He was a man of noble character and of hopeful promise for usefulness in life.
He married Alice Louise Brown, daughter of Mr. Herbert Brown, of Providence, who survived him. He left no children.
FLORENCE GERTRUDE SARGENT was born in Brookline, July 8, 1878. She is a daughter of Rev. Frank D. and Emma S. (Taylor) Sargent. She prepared for college in the public schools of her native town and in the Putnam, Conn., High School. She graduated from Hol- yoke College in 1900. For the six years immediately following her grad- uation she was engaged in teaching school. Two years of this period,
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1900 and 1901, were passed in the High School in Plainville, Mass., and four years, 1902-06, in the Putnam High School. In 1906 and 1907 she took the post graduate course in Radcliffe College. Subsequently, she was for three years a member of Mrs. Von Mack's Private School for girls, Boston, Mass., and for two years a member of the Misses Shipley's School, Bryn Mawr, Pa. At the present time (1912) she is teaching in the Putnam High School. Miss Sargent enjoys the distinction of being the first of Brookline's native born female college graduates.
JOSEPH BENJAMIN SWETT, Jr., M. D., son of Joseph and Emily (Gilson) Swett, was born in Brookline, March 5, 1865. He was a descendant of John Swett, who came to this country from Oxton, England, in 1742, and settled in Newbury, Mass. Dr. Swett was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass .; graduating from the latter institution in 1890. From the Academy he entered the Albany, N. Y., Medical College, from which he graduated with honors in 1893, receiving the degree of M. D. After his graduation, he was for several years an instructor in the college; until he finally re- signed his position and commenced the practice of his profession in Albany, where he died Oct. 3, 1897. He was never married. At the time of his decease, Dr. Swett was a member of the Albany County Medical Society ; a member of Lodge No. 5, F. A. M., of Albany, and a member of Company B, 10th Battalion N. Y. S. M.
HAROLD SAWTELLE HOBART, a son of Willie and Harriet (Rideout) Hobart, was born in Brookline, Sept. 29, 1884. He prepared for college in the public schools of his native town and the Nashua High School, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1908. Soon after leaving college, he entered the employment of the Proctor Marble Com- pany, of Proctor, Vt., where he is located at the present time.
ETHEL MAY ROCKWOOD, daughter of Walter Francis and Clara (Whitcomb) Rockwood, was born in Brookline, March 4, 1887. She pre- pared for college in the public schools of her native town and in the Mil- ford High School. She graduated from Simmon's College in 1909 with the degree of D. S. After leaving Simmon's, Miss Rockwood studied medicine and graduated from John Hopkins' Medical School, Baltimore, Md., with the degree of M. D., in 1914.
CHARLES RICHARDSON HARDY, son of John Baldwin and Carrie (Richardson) Hardy, was born in Brookline, April 10, 1893. He attended the public schools of his native town, and was prepared for col- lege in the Milford High School. He entered the New Hampshire State
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College and, taking the two-years course, graduated from the college in 1913. At the present time (1913) he is residing in Hollis and is engaged in practical farming.
Biographical Sketches of College Graduates Born in Brookline, but Graduated from Other Towns.
REV. EDWARD HAMMOND BROOKS,* Baptist, son of George and Mary A. Brooks, was born in Brookline, May 9, 1849. Prepared for college at Groton, Mass., Academy, Appleton Academy, New Ipswich, and Amenia Seminary, New York. Graduated at Kalamazoo College, 1874. Studied for the ministry at Morgan Park, Ill., 1874-75, and at Newton, Mass., 1875-76, and 1882-83, Theological Seminaries. Ordained, Boston, Mass., June 11, 1876. Pastor, Cassopolis, Mich., July, 1876-78; Lapeer, Mich., September, 1878-79; Crown Point, Ind., October, 1879- 82; Second Church, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1883-90; Aurora, Ill., 1891- 96; Los Angeles, Cal., 1897-98; East Los Angeles, 1899.
Married Mary E. Bennett at Kalamazoo, Mich., Sept. 27, 1876.
REV. CHARLES PELT FESSENDEN,* Baptist, son of Joseph and Rachael (Crosby) Fessenden, was born in Brookline, Jan. 15, 1813. Graduated at Lay College, Brooklyn, N. Y., and Hamilton (New York) Theological Seminary, 1878. Ordained, West Union, N. Y., March, 1867. In itinerant and missionary work for twenty-five years. Went to Michi- gan in 1869. Missionary in Newaygo and Musekgon counties. At Rives, Mich., 1872. Pastor, Medina, North Adams, and Litchfield. Residence, Hesperia, Mich., 1882, Eaton Rapids, Mich., 1885-91. Died there Nov. 27, 1891.
Married Elizabeth R. Hakes at Columbia, Pa., Jan. 1, 1837.
REV. CLIFTON FLETCHER, Baptist,* son of Jesse and Patience (Hobart) Fletcher, was born in Brookline, March 5, 1823. Student, Wes- leyan University, 1864-68. Ordained, North Tewksbury, Mass., June 4, 1856. Pastor there, 1856-69; Billerica, Mass., 1869-76; Canton, Mass., July 1, 1875-77. Without charge, Melrose, Mass., Nov. 1, 1876-92, meanwhile serving as acting pastor, Brookline, Mass., 1878-84. Member of the School Board, Melrose, 1878-86, and chairman, 1880-86. Was also an active member of the Y. M. C. A. Died at Melrose, Mass., Aug. 19, 1902.
GEORGE E. WRIGHT was born in Brookline, Jan. 20, 1867. He is a son of William and Eliza A. (Elliott) Keyes Wright. In his childhood
* Native Ministry of New Hampshire, 84.
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his father removed from Brookline to Townsend, Mass. He fitted for College in Phillips Exeter Academy, and graduated from Harvard College in 1889, and from the Harvard Law School in 1892. He has received from Harvard the following degrees: A. B., 1889; L. L. B., 1892; A. M., 1892. At the present time (1914) he is, and since 1893 has been, engaged in the practice of law in Seattle, Wash. In 1906 he delivered an address before the Washington State Bar Association; and in 1907 was appointed a trustee of the Seattle Public Library. He married, July 16, 1895, Mary Estelle Wyckoff at Delhi, Ill. His family record is given in another page of this book.
WILLIAM HARMON WRIGHT, a son of William and Eliza A. (Elliott) Wright, of this town, was born, Dec. 2, 1869, in Townsend, Mass., to which place his parents removed from Brookline a short time before his birth. He fitted for college in the public schools of Townsend and at Phillips Exeter Academy, and graduated at Harvard University in the class of 1892. At both of those institutions he distinguished himself in athletics. In 1893 he removed from Townsend to Seattle, Wash., where he was employed for eight years as teller in the Bank of Commerce. At the end of that time he retired from his position in the bank, and devoted his time to the buying and selling of real estate and to beautifying the grounds around his residence, in which he took great pride.
He married, Oct. 11, 1899, Frances Rumsey of Seattle; by whom he is survived. He died at Seattle, May 26, 1911.
Children: Hammond, born Oct. 27, 1900; Margaret, born June 23, 1902; William Francis, born Feb. 5, 1904.
MORTON BOWLER FRENCH was born in this town Dec. 7, 1879. He is a son of John E. and Caroline M. (Kendall) French. In his childhood his parents removed from Brookline to Athol, Mass. He pre- pared for college in the Athol High School. He graduated from Dart- mouth College in 1903. At the present time (1912) he is located in New York City, where he is connected with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company as Telephone Engineer.
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