History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 47

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 47
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 47

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

He enjoyed the usual privileges of the district school. He was regarded by his mates rather as a sober boy, especially in the school-room ; but out of doors at times he was sure to make a deal of fun. He always ranked well in his studies. In his later youth he attended, for several terms, the select schools in our village, so that at his majority he had a good business education. As he started for himself in life he did not feel, as many do, that it is necessary for a young man to go West to meet with success. Accordingly he went into business for himself at Swanzey Factory, manufacturing pails. But he was not pleased with the place, and, after a year's experience there, he sold out and returned to Marlborough, entering a store as a clerk. Here he soon proved himself well adapted to the mercantile calling, showing that he is faith-

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ful and one to be trusted. At length he went into partnership, and has continued in mercan- tile business up to the present time, being es teemed as reliable and a man of good judgment. For twelve years and more he has been the postmaster of the town. He has represented Marlborough in the Legislature for two terms.

He was chosen a deacon of the Congregation- al Church in 1870, which office he still holds. He was married in 1855 to Caroline E. Knowl- ton with whom he happily lived till she died, in 1862, leaving a daughter, that survived her but a few months ; and afterwards he married Sarah A. Knowlton, sister of his first wife, with whom he is now living, having a pleasant home within and without. Thus, in the prime of life, Mr. Nason stands as a successful and worthy Christian man. He seems bound, in his quiet, persistent and unostentatious way, to do what he can for his native town and the world.

LEVI A. FULLER is a descendant from good ancestry. It is natural for him to think and act. From boyhood he has been all astir. His aspirations and endeavors have pointed up- ward. His ambition in no small degree has seemed to be to help others. In thus doing he has come to be popular and influential. As a business man he is regarded shrewd and just ; as a citizen, well-informed and loyal, and as a Christian, devoted and faithful to his convie- tions.

He was born May 4, 1836, and is in the full strength of life. He is engaged in manufactur- ing wooden-ware and dealing in lumber. He has served the town as selectman, Representa- tive to the Legislature and been a county com- missioner, and is still a growing man. He is a member of the Congregational Church, in which he has held the office of deacon since 1874.

JAMES KNOWLTON is one of Marlborough's most busy men. He was born in Dublin De- cember 28, 1885. For years in the winter he taught in our public schools; was liked by

his scholars and respected by their parents. For more than a quarter of a century he has done business in town, though his dwelling is on the boundary between Marlborough and Kecne, so that he sleeps in the latter place and votes there, but lives in the former. He is a thorough me- chanic, able to turn his hand to most any busi- ness, doing it in the best manner. He has by his deeds identified himself with many import- ant works in town. He is now engaged in get- ting out lumber and manufacturing pails, giving employment to quite a number of workmen. It is said he always deals with his help fairly and kindly.

LEE SULLIVAN MCCOLLESTER-He is the son of Rev. Dr. S. H. and Sophia F. McCollester and was born in Westmoreland, N. H. June 5, 1859. Before he was three years old his parents removed to Westbrook, Me., where they resided till he was ten years old ; then he lived in Nashua, N. H., more than three years, where he attended his first school, and became fitted for the High-School. As his father was called to the presidency of Buchtel College, and his family removed to Akron, Ohio, Lee entered the preparatory department of the college in 1873 and became fitted for college and was matriculated into the freshman class in 1876, where he remained till he had com- pleted the sophomore year, when, accompanying his parents, he visited Europe, where he pass- ed a year in London University and in travel. On his return home he entered Tufts College, as a junior, 1879, and was graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1881 having taken two prizes in his course. In the fall of 1881 he began his theological studies at Tufts Divinity School, and was graduated Bachelor of Divinity, hav- ing won two prizes in this course. Immedi- ately on leaving college, in 1884, he was settled as pastor over the Universalist Church of Claremont, N. H. In August of the same year he was married to Miss Lillian Adelle, daugh- ter of Dr. Samuel G. and Louisa B. Wright, a young woman of rare qualities of mind and

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heart. For a year they have been settled, greatly loved and respected by their people and by all knowing them. August 26, 1885, he became sorely afflicted through the death of his devoted and accomplished wife. All hearts having known them felt severely this great sorrow, tendering their fullest condolence to the young minister of ability and promise.

CHARLES R. MASON .- When a young man Mr. Mason had the misfortune to lose an arm, but it would seem this had been made up to him, from the fact that he has done so far as much as ordinarily falls to the lot of one man to do. He is a native of Dublin and was educa- ted in her schools. He taught with success for several terms. Naturally gifted as to art, after his loss he devoted special attention to penman- ship and drawing, so that he excelled in both and has taught writing for years. He is a fine accountant and book-keeper. He has filled many important offices in town, with credit to all. He is now justice of peace, and was United States assistant assessor for six years. He was born July 27, 1830. He is one that thinks more than he says, and does as he agrees. By his life he is writing out a record that will be always pleasing for kindred and friends to read.

CYRUS SIDNEY MOORS .- He was born July 5, 1832, in Jaffrey, N. H. He was a reliable and industrious boy, making the most he could out of his meagre school advantages. While a mere youth his father was accidentally killed and so left the care and responsibility of a farm upon him and his brother, Loren L. He was faithful to this charge and true to his noble mother. They so managed that Sidney was enabled to attend several select schools in the village ; and so, as he became of age, he had a fair education, and entered upon his life-work with good aims. He followed the carpenter business for a while; then went into trade for a time; and at length became station-agent at the Marlborough Depot, on the Cheshire R. R. Here he has done faithful service to

the road and the patrons for many years. He has so wrought, that he has the fullest confi- dence of. his employers and the people at large, and no doubt will be retained in his present po- sition so long as he shall be able to fill it. He was postmaster for the south part of the town, is an express agent, and is mail and passage carrier from the Marlborough Cheshire Depot to the village. Verily, he is one of the useful and substantial men in town, a preserver of good order, interested in the Christian Church, a temperance reformer and a peace-lov- ing citizen.

LEONARD ELLSWORTH TILDEN, only son of George and Betsey L. Tilden, was born at Marlborough, N. H., March 28, 1861, one of the most eventful years in the nation's history, when a great political crisis terminated in civil war, when the telegraph wires trembled throughout the land with the messages of re- bellion, and men sought the daily news more eagerly than they sought their daily food.

The father, a stanch Republican, was one of the first to enroll his name as a volunteer in the Union army. Born into such circumstances, how naturally the mind of the young son was stimulated to political thought and action ! He very early evinced a strong literary taste and marked ability in writing and arranging articles for the press, many of which were published by the amateur press while he was a mere child. Pennies which the ordinary boy spent for toys and confectionery were treasured up by young Tilden, and invested in books and writing- material.

He attended the village school, making fair use of his time ; his quick, comprehensive mind interpreting the lesson with little study ; thus he was generally well up with his class. Jumping at conclusions, as he often did, he made many mistakes, which won for him the laugh and ridicule of his companions ; but his proud, sen- sitive nature was well balanced with courage and perseverance, which moved him steadily forward, making stepping-stones of his errors

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upon which to climb, thus living out the senti- ment of J. G. Holland : " We build the ladder by which we rise."

In 1875 he became identified with amateur journalism (thought by ex-Speaker Randall to be the noblest work ever engaged in by the American youth), and commenced the publica- tion of the Cheshire Star, which he enlarged to twice its former size in 1878, and changed the name to the Granite State Courier. He was honored by the members of the New England fraternity by being elected official editor of their organ, the New England Amateur, in 1879; at this time he was American editor of the Season, an amateur magazine, published at Bradford, England.

He has written several plays, which have been published, showing a good degree of dra- matic talent. In 1875, when fourteen years of age, he was engaged as reporter for the Cheshire Republican, of Keene, which place he filled very acceptably until the fall of 1882, when he went to Boston to attend French's Business College. While there he became a member of the reportorial staff of the Boston Daily Globe, and is at the present time under engagement to work for the paper whenever possible.

He has been twice elected sergeant-at-arms in the New Hampshire Senate, first in 1883, for a term of two years, and re-elected in 1885, being the youngest man ever elected to that office, and the only one ever re-elected. He was elected president of the Republican Senatorial Convention for Cheshire District in 1884, and during the campaign of that year served accept- ably as clerk and stenographer of the Republi- can State Committee. He was appointed a delegate from the State of New Hampshire to attend the funeral of General Grant, at New York, August, 1885.

Though young in years, he has acceptably filled many places of trust and responsibility. In his home relations he has always been loyal ; dutiful as a son, working with his father as

stable-keeper, though often chafing under the employment, which was always distasteful to him ; confiding in the mother, who always en- couraged his literary work, making many wil- ling sacrifices, that he might have advantages ; an affectionate brother, a kind and generous- hearted friend. In religious thought he is Christian and liberal, seeking to bring the golden rule into practical life, thus calling around him many pleasant acquaintances, yet ever turning to home and home friends with the same fresh, boyish spirit that has character- ized his whole life.

Congressman Gallinger, speaking of Mr. Tilden, says: "Those who know him best, prophesy that he is destined to secure a leading place among the prominent and influential men of the State."

CHARLES A. BEMIS .- Life is full of sur- prises. We read an author and we imagine him of such dimensions and appearance ; but when we chance to meet him, how unlike the man we supposed in size, mien and tempera- ment! Thus it is in our experience. The great man does not enter the gate at which we are watching. The common man makes him- self unexpectedly equal to some great emer- gency, and we wonder how it was possible. Thus it is ; we know not what the day or hour will bring forth ; we must wait and be sur- prised.

In one of our humble homes, January 29, 1848, a child made its appearance that was very welcome, for he was the second born and first son. His early opportunities were not flattering ; his school advantages were slight ; for after he was fourteen he went to only four short terms of school. He learned to read, write and spell tolerably well, but he was a stranger to grammar, as his schooling was finished. But he early become fascinated with biography and history ; and it is said that when he was but ten years old he read the history of the town of Dublin, and from that time he felt he would write the history of his native town.

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Henceforth he was gathering up facts and inci- dents for years unknown to others until about the time the town of Marlborough cele- brated the hundredth anniversary of its incor- poration, in 1876. Then the question was asked, Who shall write the history of our town ? And those who had been apprised of what young Bemis had already achieved in collecting statis- ties and dates answered, Charles A. Bemis ; and so he was encouraged to go on in his arduous undertaking until, by some assistance, he brought out one of the best town histories. We are greatly indebted to it for many of the facts and not a few of the pages in this volume devoted to Marlborough. As his volume came out, the people were, for the most part, happily surprised at the important work compiled by the young man, who had been forced to day- labor for support all the while he was collect- ing material for his history. The world was surprised when Napoleon scaled the Alps, when Dr. Kane explored the Arctic Seas and brought back so much coveted knowledge, and when Grant captured Vicksburg and put down the Rebellion; so our people were surprised as they read the history of our town by the wooden-ware worker and box-maker. They received. more than they had bargained for. This shows what may be accomplished by sav- ing the spare moments. Mr. Bemis is a young man now, industrious, interested in religious, social and civil affairs. He loves his home ; he loves to read ; he loves to talk ; he loves to have his own way if he feels it is right.

CHAPTER IX.

MARLBOROUGH-(Continued).

MISCELLANEOUS.

ODD-FELLOWSHIP .- In the year 1868, Pa- quaig Lodge, No. 50, I. O. O. F., was estab- lished in Marlborough. It started with twelve charter members, and has continued to inerease

till it now numbers some seventy members. It has accumulated quite a property and built a fine block, renting a portion for stores. It has been instrumental in doing much good in behalf of the sick and aiding the bereaved.

PAUPERS .- This town has been very fortu- nate in having but few poor people to be sup- ported. It has always, however, provided with care for its indigent. At the present time the number is small that receive any pecuniary assistance whatever.

CEMETERIES .- The people of Marlborough have not been unmindful of the dead. From the beginning of the town they have been ready to make ample provision for suitable resting- places of the departed. The yard by the old meeting-house is the oldest one in town. This contains the ashes of the first minister that died in town and the first physician. Its acre is thickly sown with the dead. Two other ceme- teries were early set apart-one in the north portion of the town and the other on the hill- side, south of the village-as sacred places. In 1852, Asa Greenwood anticipated the need of a new cemetery, and so took a section of his own land and fenced it off with taste and caused it to be solemnly dedicated ; and it is now known as Graniteville Cemetery. It is beautifully situated on the hill overlooking the village, and is becoming so thickly sown with graves that a new one in close proximity has been secured, fenced and divided into lots. As we walk these saered places and scan the graves, we can but feel " how quick man runs his mortal race." It is well that these spots should be made in- viting and expressive of beauty and trust in God. Cemeteries are quite reliable indices of the condition of a people. So, if they are truly Christian, they will secure pleasant grounds for receiving the ashes of their beloved, and will render them attractive with stone, flower, shrub and tree. " Beautiful" will be written over their gateway and epitaphs will point to heaven.

TEMPERANCE .- As a town Marlborough has always stood firm on the side of temperance.

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Acting upon the principle that it is better to turn moral streams at their sources than to at- tempt to change the currents that have taken on a river's resistless force, thus Marlborough has always had its temperance workers, and its temperance organizations as an educating in- fluence in the community.

Far back in the past was that great move- ment of moral and religious forces known as Washingtonianism ; it did a grand and noble work in its time, but, like all reform move- ments, it had its rise and its decline ; but not until its purpose was accomplished, a strong public sentiment was created, and lines of tem- perance work were traced which other organi- zations took up and carried forward. There were the License Party, the Prohibitory Party, the Sons of Temperance, the Good Templars and the Reform Club, each and all doing good and effectual work in its proper time, and in its own peculiar way. Beside all this, there was individual work done; men of sterling prin- ciple sacrificed time and money, let their pro- perty depreciate on their hands, closing the only hotel in the town, and converting it into stores and tenements rather than have intoxicating drinks sold in their midst. Thus, brave, patient hearts labored on through the years, and by constant vigilance, kept the foe from their own doors. Yet all the while this giant evil was growing in the world, and the call came for stronger effort, for more united work. Then it was that woman's heart was stirred, and one cold December morning in 1873, a band of women went forth from a little church in Southern Ohio with the call to their Christian sisters throughout the land to take up this temperance work, in the name of "God and home and native land." The cry ran along the electric wires that connect human hearts, until many a town and village in the State was engaged in the work ; nor did it stop here; its vibrations were felt in every State in the Union ; nor have they ceased, and to-day the hearts of all Christian women in this land, and over the

sea, beat as one in this great endeavor to crush out the evil of intemperance.

Out of this movement grew the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. When the call came to Marlborough, in July, 1882, a few conscientious women were ready to meet it, and say " God has placed this responsibility upon us, and we have no right to cast it aside, we will take up the work and do all and the best we can." And thus for three years they have labored, having at all times the sympathy and support of the people. Much has been done, and much remains to be done, but the word of God abideth forever, and the declara- tion is, "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

The officers of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union at the present time are as fol- lows : Mrs. L. E. Blodgett, president; Mrs. Edna Richardson, vice-president ; Mrs. Charles Mason, secretary ; Mrs. Mary L. Hemenway, treasurer ; Mrs. J. L. Merrell, Mrs. Whitney Lawrence, Mrs. Charles Mason, executive com- mittee.

Miss Effie Chase, their first secretary, who served faithfully until declining health forbade her doing more, a young lady of great moral worth and lovely Christian character, has passed "over the river," but her memory, like the fragrance of some sweet flower, still lingers with them. Another estimable worker has been Mrs. Julia Polk, wife of Rev. R. T. Polk, who has now gone to reside in another State. Her active, earnest spirit and her willing hands have been greatly missed in the organization.

All feel, who have knowledge of the Wom- an's Christian Temperance Union, that it has achieved in this town grand results. Indeed, it is a beneficent, moral force that is sure to bless. The president, Mrs. L. E. Blodgett, has proved herself in many ways a woman of high order of talent ; but especially in this work, she has been efficient and philanthropic, proving hereself a reformer, an excellent presiding of-

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ficer, and one desirous of making the world wiser and better.

THE FROST FREE LIBRARY .- When Tam- erlane had finished building his pyramid out of seventy thousand skulls of victims that he had destroyed, and he stood glittering in burnished steel at the gate of Damascus, and the sun of the race seemed to be setting in gore, then might have been seen a youth in the streets, or in an obscure room, of Mentz, making experiments and being resolved upon giving to the world movable types, that books might be greatly multiplied. The bloody foot-prints of Tamer- lane have vanished, but those of John Faust remain as in solid rock, and the loftiest pyramid which has been piled up out of printed books, is to stand, immortalizing his name.

When caliph Omar was causing the Alexan- drian Library to be burned, Alfred, of Eng- land, was opening a highway for the general distribution of literature; so the one was cov- eting ignorance and the other wisdom. The former has become lost to the world ; the latter is living in the hearts of humanity.

When Dr. Franklin moved, in 1731, in the establishment of that first public library of our country, located at Philadelphia, started and supported by private subscriptions, he was do- ing a grand work for our nation,-one that was to improve the thought, the conversation and the character of our people. Out of that small beginning have issued the Boston Athenaeum, the Society Library of New York, and many others of a private nature.

But that was another step in advance when Dr. Francis Wayland, in 1847, founded in the town bearing his own name the first free public library. This was heeding the demands of the poor as well as of the rich. From this slight root has sprung the Astor of New York, the Logan of Philadelphia, the Public Library of Boston, and hosts of minor ones throughout our land. And among the many, with no little pride do we now make mention of the Frost Free Library of our town. Through the blessed memories

and the great generosity of Hon. Rufus Frost, it was a gift to Marlborough. He desired to do lasting service to the town of his birth. How could he in any other way have done so much for the past, the present and future welfare of our people, as by placing in our thriving village such a valuable library, free to all our citizens ? It is more than the most splendid mausoleum, for it is the treasury of the best words and thoughts. Books are the urns of treasured life. Temples waste away ; pictures and statues fade and crumble; but good books survive. The only effect time has upon them is to sift the wheat from the chaff, that the former may yield abundantly and the latter die. Books introduce us to the best society, making us well acquainted with the long-since departed. They cause the inspired intellects and loving hearts of the past to become our teachers and associates. They bring to our side Moses, Homer, Plato, Paul, Shakespeare and Longfellow, that they may abide with us forever. What a blessing came to our town, then, through the Frost Free Library !

Its building is a fire-proof, handsome granite structure, pleasantly situated. It was completed and dedicated in 1867, and supplied with two thousand volumes of good books, which went into circulation at once. Since that time some two thousand volumes more have been added, together with many botanical and geological specimens from Marlborough and immediate vieinity ; all of which, with a fund of five thousand dollars, have been presented to the town by Mr. Frost. The library is so deeded that it must always remain free to the people, and in no case increase of necessity the taxation of a single individual. Its board of trustees is composed of the selectmen of the town, the settled clergymen and three others chosen with- out regard to residence. This board controls the library, electing its secretary and librarian, and decides as to the . books which shall be put into it. During its years of existence its books have been in active circulation. It has accom-

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plished and is producing an indescribable amount of good. It is as a beacon set on a hill to shed glory all around. It is as a halo from heaven to make radiant the morning path- way of the young, to gild the noonday track of the mature, and render the evening circuit of the aged peaceful.

He who causes a free library to be established in the midst of a people builds a monument to his memory that will be beautiful and enduring in the eternal light.

SITUATION AND BOUNDARY .- The town of Marlborough, in Cheshire County, N. H., is situated in latitude 42° 54', and longitude 4° 49'. It is bounded on the north by Roxbury, east by Harrisville, Dublin and Jaffrey, south by Troy, and west by Troy, Swanzey and Keene. Its distance from Keene is five miles, from Concord fifty miles, and from Boston ninety-three miles. Its population is one thous- and four hundred.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 47

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200