History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 111

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 111

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).

John E. Willis Post, No. 59, G. A. R., Gorham, N. H., was instituted December 28, 1880, with twenty charter members: A. S. Twitchell, War- ren Noyes, S. L. Chipman, Elmer L. Stevens, Erastus W. Forbes, C. G. Hamlin, Frank C. Stevens, John P. Dunham, Ora P. Howland, Charles WV. Nolan. S. E. Bartlett, Joseph Goodnow, O. H. McKeen, P. M. Morgan, James W. Farrington, Thomas Flynn, George F. Buchanan. I. W. Bur- bank, E. M. Hanson, George W. Burbank. The first officers were: A. S. Twitchell, commander; Warren Noyes, senior vice-commander; S. L. Chipman. junior vice-commander; C. G. Hamlin, adjutant; E. L. Stevens, quartermaster; John P. Dunham, chaplain; S. E. Bartlett, surgeon; E. W. Forbes, officer day; C. W. Nolan, officer guard; A. C. Gurney, sergeant- major: O. P. Howland, Q. M. sergeant. Encampments are held on the third Thursday of each month. The post has a Grand Army room in Twitchell's block, well furnished, and is an efficient and active organiza- tion. The present officers are: Commander, Josiah W. Perkins; senior vice-commander, I. W. Burbank: junior vice-commander, Philemon Harri- man: adjutant, Albert S. Twitchell; quartermaster, Levi Shedd; officer of the day, James Wilson; officer of the guard, Bernard McCormick; chaplain, Rev. J. H. Trask.

Postoffices .- "Shelburne Addition " postoffice established December 12, 1833. Postmasters: Hezekiah Ordway, December 12, 1833; Andrew G. Lary, June 5, 1834; changed to Gorham, July 27, 1837; Andrew G. Lary, July 27, 1837; John T. Peabody, April 4, 1840; John R. Hitchcock, Febru- ary 2. 1852; Charles W. Bean, July 25, 1861; Wesley Wight, June 27, 1865; Thomas Gifford, April 19, 1869; Valentine L. Stiles, February 4, 1870;

925

TOWN OF GORHAM.

Miss Helen E. Stiles, December 3, 1873; Albert S. Twitchell, September 3, 1877; Rufus F. Ingalls. July 19, 1886.

Mascot Mine .- The Mascot Mining Company was organized in 1881 to work the silver-bearing galena in the vein discovered on Mt. Hayes. Costly machinery was introduced, valuable buildings constructed, a large amount of ore taken out of the extensive drifts and shafts, and a great mining "boom " created. All is now over. The works are abandoned. The machinery has been taken away, and the long line of stairways on the steep mountain-side are fast hastening to decay.

Thirty Years Changes .- In an interview with Timothy H. Hutchinson, published not long since in the Mountaineer, Mr. Hutchinson recalled the fact that in 1856, when he came to Gorham, there were but two streets in the village-Main and Mechanic streets. We now have nineteen, we think. distinct streets, viz .: Main, Mechanic. Androscoggin. Alpine, Macfarlane, Pleasant, Jewell. Evans, Emerson, Glen, Park, Railroad, Exchange, School, Church, Dublin. High, Promenade and Washington, and the ex- tensions of Main street might almost be said to form two more distinct streets-Upper and Lower Main. He also spoke of the registered voters then and now, and how few of those whose names appeared on the check- list containing a list of the voters in March, 1857, were voters in this town to-day. In March, 1857, the check-list contained the names of 111 voters: at the November election, 1886. the check-list contained the names of 353 legal voters, and 310 votes were cast for representative. Of the 111 votes registered in 1857, only eighteen are now voters here. The following is a list of them: Thomas A. Adams, Charles W. Bean, Samuel F. Emery. Moses Goodno, Benjamin F. Howard, George A. Hodgdon, Caleb S. Pea- body, Iram S. Wells, Jonas G. Wells, Edward Wells, Sylvester Wilson. Timothy H. Hutchinson. Parker Howard, George B. Hilborn. John Mullen, Edward B. Wilson, Daniel M. Head and Patrick Mullen. Of the rem in- ing ninety-three, forty-six are known to be dead, and the others-forty- seven-are gone from us and scattered all over this nation.

The population in 1880 had reached 1,383. March 1, 1Ss7, the valua- tion of the town was $433, 458, and there were 428 polls, 173 horses, ninety- two oxen, 163 cows, 148 sheep owned by residents. Gorham now has fine blocks and buiklings, neat residences and churches, a good system of public schools, the professions filled with intelligent and useful men, citizens industrious and temperate in their habits, so that there is an air of thrift and progress manifest throughout the town. All these considera- tions give increased responsibility to the citizens and make this one of the most interesting villages in Northern New England.

926

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ANDREW G. LARY.

For a period of half a century Andrew G. Lary was a citizen of Gorham, identified with its early settlement and its later prosperity. His familiar form was to be seen daily on the street, and his face and cheery presence was much missed-as the disappearance of a long well-known land-mark makes a void-when his death occurred, February 26, 1884, at the vener- able age of nearly eighty-five years.

Andrew G. Lary, the son of Capt. Joseph and Hannah (Blake) Lary, was born in Gilead, Me., August 14, 1799, to which place his father removed, about 1789, from Wolfborough, N. H. On attaining his majority, in 1820, Mr. Lary settled in Shelburne on a farm near the state line, where he made his home for fourteen years, taking part in the affairs of the town. In 1827 he married Levee, daughter of Amos and Ruth (Head) Chandler, of Pembroke. They had five children, Ruth, Ann, Blake, Dawn, and Head. [The families of Head and Chandler have been eminent in the annals of New Hampshire for long years. The Heads are of Welsh ancestry, and originally settled in Bradford, Mass., but, prior to the Revolution, moved to Pembroke, N. H. "On the northerly side of Pembroke street, west of a cross-road leading to the site of the old town-house, is a field on a side hill in which stood the Head garrison-house, one of the four of the town, where the inhabitants sought protection from marauding bands of savages in the old French and Indian wars." James Head was in command of the post, and was afterward commissioned lieutenant-colonel under Gen. John Stark. He was killed at the battle of Bennington while doing noble service for his country.]

In the spring of 1834 Mr. Lary removed his family to Gorham. There were then but twelve families living in the town. He located on what has since been known as the "Lary place" at Gorham Corner, Gorham Upper Village. He built the Lary House the same year. This was the first painted house in town, and, in, 1835, it was opened as a public house. At that time the summer hotel business, which is now the most important in a number of towns lying among the mountains and at their base, was in its infancy. The hostelries were few, and the nearest inn was in Randolph. The usual price for a single meal was twenty-five cents, lodging six to eight cents, a glass of rum fourpence, keeping a horse over night with- out grain. twenty-five cents. At that time the travel was immense from Northern New Hampshire and Vermont to Portland. Farmers carried their pork, butter, cheese and poultry to Portland, and exchanged them for tea, coffee, rum and such other necessaries as their wants demanded. It took

Ali Ley

J. K. Hitchcock

927

TOWN OF GORHAM.

from five to six days to make the trip. The Lary House when built was thought to be sufficiently large for the requirements of the business for years to come, but the popularity of its landlord, and the increase of mount- ain travel, required its frequent enlargement and rebuilding: its situation being favorable to make it a quiet resort for the summer visitor. It is located one mile from Gorham village, near the Androscoggin, and from it one has a fine view of the northern slopes of the White Mountains. Here Mr. Lary lived until his death, a period of fifty years. a notable instance of an innkeeper remaining in the same house for so long a time. He had seen the children of Gorham become men and women, marry. and their children attain maturity, and, by his extensive acquaintance with the people, was able to recount much of the important history of the town and its inhabitants. He retained his mental faculties remarkably ; and although his health was much impaired when Dr. True wrote his history of Gorham, he obtained much information from Mr. Lary which might otherwise never have been preserved. Mrs. Lary died January 12, 1873.

Mr. Lary was Republican in his politics, and strong in his advocacy of the principles of that party, but was never a political aspirant. He served his town as moderator, clerk, selectman and treasurer with fidelity. He was one of the type of innkeepers rapidly passing away. He always took an interest in his guests, but was never obtrusive in his intercourse with them; and when entering his house, they felt like coming home. Digni- fied and quiet in his manners, agreeable, hospitable, genial and social, keen-witted, and with a mind well balanced. he could not fail to be a pleasant companion. He was also an active man, enjoyed an out-door life, and had been engaged somewhat in surveying. Two of his daughters, Mrs. Hitchcock and Miss Lary, occupy the old homestead, and the engrav- ing which accompanies this sketch is their tribute to the memory of their honored father.

JOHN RAYMOND HITCHCOCK.

John Raymond Hitchcock, son of John and Sarah (Webster) Hitchcock, was born in the beautiful town of Claremont, N. H., November 16, 1521. He was a worker from his early years: his education was obtained in the local school, which was the college of those days, and for the practical business life of active New England it did its work well. He passed his life until he was eighteen years old on a farm, and amid rural surround- ings, daily accustomed to hardship and laborious exertion. the young boy grew into that vigorous manhood which the exigencies of the time required.

About 1840 Mr. Hitchcock, desiring to make a change in his life, went to Hanover, where he found employment with Jonathan Currier at the Dartmouth Hotel, and was engaged in many departments pertaining to

928

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

the hotel business. He took charge of the staging, hotel, and livery, kept the books, was bright and active, quick to learn, and willing to work, and, during his stay of many years, he saved some money and acquired a valu- able experience. From Hanover he went to Boston; and, in company with Nathaniel Huggins, kept the Pearl St. House for a few years, and after a short tarry in Providence, R. I., he returned to New Hampshire in the summer of 1851, and in September of the same year commenced his highly successful career as managing clerk of the Alpine House, then known as the Station House, which had been finished that summer by the Grand Trunk railway for the accommodation of summer boarders as well as furnishing meals for passengers. After two years Mr. Hitchcock assumed the sole proprietorship, changed the name to Alpine House and conducted it until 1872, a period of over twenty years, when the hotel was burned and he retired from the business. Eleven years of this time he had the charge of the Tip-Top House. These houses were managed with admirable ability, and many distinguished people were often his guests.

In 1857 Mr. Hitchcock had purchased and much improved a beautiful farm in the Androscoggin valley lying in the towns of Gorham and Shel- burne with residence in Shelburne, and here, after he had retired from public life, he enjoyed the happiness of a quiet home with his wife, Dawn, daughter of Andrew G. and Levee (Chandler) Lary, a lady who enjoys the warmest regards of the community, whom he had married January 11, 1875. But this pleasant domestic life was of short duration, for Mr. Hitchcock died suddenly of heart disease, September 30, 1879. During his long residence in Gorham he was ever known as a gentleman of kind spirit and pleasant manners. It was often remarked of him that "he always recognized an acquaintance, rich or poor, high or low, with the same readiness and courtesy.'

Mr. Hitchcock was a member of F. & A. M. Gorham Lodge. Though not belonging to any church denomination he contributed largely to the support of religion. He was a prosperous man, but in early life had not the adventitious aids of wealth or education, as his parents were in limited circumstances, and his prosperity was due to his natural push and perse- verance in any work he took in hand. Kind-hearted, generous, and impul- sive, his means were dispensed in the same spirit. But it is especially as the genial landlord. friend, and host, that Mr. Hitchcock is recalled to his numerous friends, to whom this record will bring many pleasant recollec- tions. Possessed of great energy and executive ability he greatly enjoyed the labor and the life. He had a natural aptitude for his chosen vocation, and his guests met him with pleasure and parted from him with regret, and it is only justice to add that while his good judgment and quick sagac- ity brought him financial success, it also added much to the wealth of the town.

929

TOWN OF GORHAM.

CAPT. WARREN NOYES.

The name Noyes is of Welch origin. In the eighteenth century some of the family emigrated to America and settled in various parts of New England. Among the soldiers of the Revolution was Bela Noyes, of Massa- chusetts, who, after his patriotic services for his country, became a resi- dent of Norway, Me., where he pursued the honorable calling of a farmer, and died in 1833, at an advanced age. His son, Bela, was born in Norway, in 1794, and married Honor Prince, of New Gloucester, Me. Mr. Noyes made a home for himself and wife in the sparsely-settled section of Norway. He was vigorous, industrious, cleared land. felled trees, and became a farmer and lumberman. The four children of Bela and Honor (Prince) Noyes were George W., Warren, Robert P. and Aphia E. (Mrs. David Pratt). Mrs. Noyes was a good christian mother, a member of the Methodist church, and although the churches were at a great distance in this newly settled country, the zealous, God-fearing members were scrupulous in attending the services. Mrs. Noyes died in 1858, aged sixty years. Mr. Noyes's death occurred in 1860, in the town of his nativity.

Warren Noyes, second son of Bela and Honor (Prince) Noyes, was born in Norway, Me., March 7, 1832. From his parents he received the goodly heritage of a vigorous and virtuous ancestry. After passing his childhood and early manhood on the farm, attending the common schools, and adding to his robust physique by hard labor, at the age of twenty he went to sea, but soon returned, and April 21, 1832, he began his long continued and faithful service in connection with the Atlantic & St. Lawrence (Grand Trunk) railroad by working in the yard at Portland. He commenced life at the right end of the ladder, and had a large amount of capital in the shape of courage and energy. He was honest, industrous, and manly, and soon took his first step upward. June 10, 1852, he began firing on an engine; July 1, 1833, he was detailed as engine driver on engine "Casco" at Island Pond, then engaged in drawing the necessary materials for the contractors to complete the road to the boundary line. This work em- ployed him until the completion and connection at the boundary of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence, and the St. Lawrence & Atlantic railroads. He took the first passenger train drawn over the A. & St. L. R. R. when it lacked half a mile of completion. After the roads were united, Mr. Noyes was engineer on both the first freight train and the first passenger train which crossed the boundary line. From this time until April 1, 1857, he was engineer on passenger and freight trains running from Island Pond to Portland, and also, for three years of this time, was superintending the supply of wood along the line of the road, having, in this capacity, the charge of about forty men. April 1, 1857, he was advanced to the respon- sible position of locomotive foreman at Island Pond, where he remained until August 21, 1862.

930

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

At this time the President had called urgently for loyal men to fill the demand for more soldiers in the Union army, and Mr. Noyes promptly responded by enlisting as a private in Company E, Fifteenth Vermont Vol- unteers, then being formed under the colonelcy of Redfield Proctor, afterwards governor of Vermont. As an evidence of the esteem of his com- rades Mr. Noyes was chosen captain by the very complimentary vote of ninety-six out of ninety-eight votes cast; the opposing candidate, for whom Mr. Noyes voted, receiving two votes. His regiment served for nine months in the Army of the Potomac; and it must not be forgotten, that, although not participating in any of the historic engagements of the war, these soldiers filled the places assigned them with as faithful service and as loyal obedience as any in the field. Returning to Island Pond after his regiment was mustered out in July, 1863, Captain Noyes was gladly wel- comed to his old position, and was in charge of the engines at that place until May 22, 1864. The brick engine-house there was built under his supervision. He removed to Gorham in 1864 to supervise the large inter- ests of the road as master mechanic, and has charge of the repairs on fifty engines running from Portland to Island Pond, and has 115 men under his direction: they build no new engines, but in making repairs they construct every portion of a locomotive, make new tenders, etc. Capt. Noyes has been located at Gorham for nearly a quarter of a century, and by his energetic and prompt handling of the affairs of the road, he has justified the confidence reposed in him. His fine presence, dignified manners, strict integrity and faithfulness have made him a very popular and useful super- intendent.

He married, January 24, 1856, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Cummings) York, of Norway, Me. Their children are Abbie F., Fred M. and Harry G.

During these many years' residence in Gorham, Capt. Noyes has been an active promoter of the industry and prosperity of the town. In 1879 he built Noyes's block. His example of honesty, perseverance and indus- try has been an incentive to the many young men under his employ, and they have husbanded their earnings, made comfortable homes, and thus added to the value of the town. As an employer, Capt. Noyes had often given his advice to the employés of the road to save their money, and to aid in this a savings bank seemed the thing needed. The Gorham Five Cent Savings Bank was organized in 1872 with Capt. Noyes as president, which office he still fills.

Democratic in politics, Capt. Noyes represented Gorham in the state legislature of 1873, but refused further political honors on account of the demands of his business. He has twice been offered the nomination of state senator, which, as his party were numerically in the majority, was equivalent to an election He is a member of Glen Lodge, No. 54, I. O. O. F.,

R.LIT- E

Timothy FShutchinson

931

TOWN OF GORHAM.

and has passed through the chairs; and Eastern Star Encampment, Port- land; he is also an active member of John E. Willis Post, No. 59, G. A. R.

He is a great lover of hunting and fishing, and enjoys the charms which a true lover of nature discovers in her varied creations. Few men know better how to tell a story. catch a fish, or make life happier than Capt. Noyes. He possesses a strong personality, is leal and loyal in his friendships, has broad and liberal views, reads and appreciates solid and historical works. and is an extremely agreeable and social companion. He is kind and affectionate in his family relations, and a worthy citizen, whose character through life has been marked by honesty and fidelity; and, to-day, he holds no second place in the regards of Ins large circle of friends.

Success in life is not an accident; neither are a man's capabilities tram- melled by the environment of circumstances; on the contrary. it is the man with capabilities who makes himself the master of circumstances. A proof of this is shown by the successful career of Capt. Noyes and his brothers, both of whom have distinguished themselves in railroad circles, George W. being master mechanic at Island Pond, and R. P. filling vari- ous positions on the Grand Trunk and other roads with ability.

TIMOTHY H. HUTCHINSON.

Timothy Harden Hutchinson, son of Timothy and Nizaulla (Rawson) Hutchinson, was born in Sangerville, Me., March 5, 1810. The Hutchin- sons trace their ancestry to A. D., 1282, when Barnard Hutchinson resided in Cowlan, York county, England. Richard, tenth in descent from Bar- nard, born in Arnold, England, in 1602, was one of the first emigrants of the family to America, coming in 1634. He settled in what is now Dan- vers, Mass., and became a large land owner. The Rawson family was early in this country. In 1654 Edward Rawson was secretary of the Massa- chusetts colony.

The Hutchinsons were people of marked characteristics, and Timothy was no exception to the rule. He had but limited advantages of educa- tion in the primitive country schools of a few weeks in a year, but was trained in the school of labor. In early life he worked at the millwright business, soon developing an inventive skill which led him to produce many very useful and profitable improvements in his line of trade. Dur- ing the years from 1832 to 1846 he was much engaged as a mill builder, and, in 1833, he came to Coös county, and worked on a mill at Shelburne. In 1846 he bought a mill privilege on Great river (Androscoggin) at the head of the falls, put up a mill, and carried on lumbering for nine years. In 1849 he built a curious mill, or rather what one would call a " crooked mill," on the "rips," just below Berlin bridge. Every bend, brace, and

932

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

other part of machinery or attachment that could be formed from a "natural crook" of timber was used in that way. Even in the boxing around the wheels, in the gates, etc., etc , the same plan prevailed, and during its construction the surrounding forests were diligently searched for this peculiar material. Necessity is said to be the mother of inven- tion, but in this case one might say originality was the moving force. The mill so constructed was a success, and each timber proved the exact thing needed.

Possessing in a large degree that predominant and distinguishing char- acteristic of the "Yankee," which, seeing a need, proceeds at once to de- vise a way to supply it, Mr. Hutchinson, with a singleness of purpose and determination to succeed, coupled with an analytic and practical turn of mind, began to devise labor-saving machinery. He invented and patented a valuable improvement in mill work: a machine to separate clover-seed from the chaff: a water elevator; he invented the grooves on grist-mill stones to prevent heat when grinding. (Before this it was necessary to stop grinding to cool the stones that the meal might not become heated; millers were also obliged to run the meal through "hopper-boys," costing $1,500 each, before it could be bolted.) This invention enabled the grind- ing to go on continuously, less power was required to run the mill, and the " hopper-boys " were no longer needed. Mr. Hutchinson also made suggestions to parties connected with Boston horse-railroads of a manner of starting street-cars by introducing springs so that the momentum would aid in overcoming the friction, which, on being adopted, saved about two- thirds of the power in starting cars. He also brought to successful issues many other things involving natural mechanical and inventive skill. The thoroughness with which he does his work is evinced by the beautiful cable-bridge of 168 feet span which he built across the Androscoggin to connect his land lying on both sides of the river. Three years before the locating of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence railroad, two routes had been sur- veyed, both unsatisfactory, and the company had nearly given up the idea of finding a practicable route, when renewed interest was given by Mr. Hutchinson, who personally looked out and surveyed the line of the road as now laid, and to him must be accorded the merit of its construction. By laying out and selling building lots he has much improved the eastern part of Gorham village.

In March, 1856, Mr. Hutchinson purchased a place in Gorham, put up a house, and December 22d. of the same year, he married Eliza A., daughter of James and Betsey Hazelton, of Orford, N. H .. a lady whose artistic taste is shown in her numerous paintings, etc.

Mr. Hutchinson is a Republican in his politics, has held the office of justice of peace for many years. He is an independent thinker, and an advocate of freedom in every respect; he does not conform to the opinions

933

TOWN OF GORHAM.

of others, and is not content to derive knowledge from ordinary sources. In his younger years, before he came to Berlin, he paid considerable atten- tion to and became an adept in phrenology. He has been a logical and in- teresting lyceum debater, possesses strong and retentive memory, and by his industry and foresight has secured a handsome property. He is a strong supporter of his rights, and to secure them has had much litigation, some cases being in the courts for over twenty years. He has made it a rule never to put his name to notes, or any obligation to draw money; and never has allowed anything to be charged to him except by parties who were owing him. All in all, he is a man of great reflection, remarkable observation and unusual originality.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 111

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194