History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 40

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 40

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Let us go back to the early days of the academy under Nathaniel Wil- son, Walter P. Flanders, and William H. Hadley, in this old building at the head of Main street. At nine o'clock by the watch precisely, the stately preceptor walks in with books and manuscripts under his arm, watched by all eyes. Every student is supposed to be in his seat to answer to the roll call. The answer to the last W and Y on the list, is a signal for business. The school-room is the study-room, and the contest is over books, slates, manuscripts, and the black-board. As we go round the room let us take a list of the text-books in use. English :- National Reader, Adams' old Arithmetic, Davie's Algebra, Conversation on Natural Philos- ophy and Chemistry, Playfair's Euclid, Murray's Grammar, Blair's Rhetoric. Watts on the Mind, and Walker's Dictionary. Latin :- Gould's Adams' Grammar, Liber Primus, Latin Reader, Cooper's Virgil, Folsom's Cicero, Anthon's Sallust, Ainsworth's Dictionary, and Anthon's Classical Diction- ary. Greek :- Fisk's Grammar, Jacob's Reader, Greek Testament, and Donegan's Lexicon. In comparing this list with the text-books of to-day, I find a very great improvement in the latter, particularly in the way of presenting things to the mind. In English grammar, however, I cannot

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quite agree that any modern author has ever got much in advance of old Lindley Murray; particularly in syntax and prosody.

The art of teaching has not only changed, but very much improved within the life of the academy. From Wilson to Timberlake the change has been great, and the improvement so decidedly marked that I will not draw a parallel. Yet, with all this marked improvement in favor of the present in teachers, books, and systems of instructions, there is much to be said in favor of those early days. The teachers were good drill-masters, good disciplinarians; and the students, seeming in dead earnest, made the most of their time. They dug gold out of solid rock. It was not brought to their doors. "Ponies " and "keys" were not known then -- were not needed. Many of the young men of that early day, seeking an education, walked from one to three miles of a morning, with books under their arms to school, and were not tardy. This produced in them what they learned in their classics, " Mens sana in corpore sano," and sent along into another generation what the founders of the academy inherited from the pioneers.

This academy was the pride of the town, and its influence was marked among all its inhabitants, and incited in the young an ambition for sound and liberal education. The old building at the head of Main street was moved down, in 1836, to where the present academy stands, and enlarged and improved. This was used till 1862, when the present one was built, and the old moved across the way for a Babtist church.

The influence of this institution has not been circumscribed. Its alumni are to day in almost every prominent city in the Union. I recall those in Boston, New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Newark, San Francisco, Stockton, Portland, Bangor, Springfield, and the distant state of Oregon. They hold their own and make their mark among bankers, engineers, merchants, lawyers, teachers, doctors, and divines, and reflect credit on their Alma Mater. I have no knowledge that any one of them has ever committed a crime.

We are to-night to collect facts and gather up the incidents in the life of the town, and then extract their meaning for history. This human mind, which creates and writes history, must also read it; and this same human mind must solve it. The hours make up the centuries. The his- tory of an epoch is all to be explained by individual experience What others have felt, we can feel; what others have known, we can learn; else to us all history is a riddle. Every fact related must find some internal correspondence in us, or it is not intelligible. The history of the academy is an important chapter in the work, and when written it will find an im- portant place in the history of the town. All honor, then, to the founders of this institution! And I shall have accomplished my work of the even- ing, if I shall have drawn your minds into the light of their influence upon the then rising generation.

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They sleep in the old cemetery yonder, beside which stands their monu- ment, the academy. As one of the alumni, I would place on their cenotaph these words :-

"FOUNDERS OF LANCASTER ACADEMY."

" Beneath those ancient elms and pine-tree shade, Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, Each in his narrow cell forever laid,

These worthy fathers of the village sleep."

Hon. Nathaniel Wilson, the first preceptor of Lancaster academy, was born in Haverhill, N. H., September 18, 1808. He fitted for college at Haverhill academy, entered Dartmouth college in July, 1825, and grad- uated in July, 1829. He came to Lancaster in September following and took charge of the academy, just chartered and organized. He was a thorough scholar, an able teacher, and well adapted to the discipline and drill of that day. Educated and graduated while yet the spirit and man- ners of the men of the Revolution remained with their descendants, by his commanding presence and genial manners he brought and cultivated respect in the school-room. The academy under his tuition made its mark in the cultivation of literary taste. the love of reading, and a desire for advanced scholarship. He occupied the chair in this institution two years; and there are many of his pupils now occupying places of distinction in various states of the Union to bear witness to the formative influence of their early preceptor. Mr. Wilson then read law in the office of the Hon. George Evans, in Gardner, Me., and was admitted to the bar in August, 1833. He located at Orono, Me., in 1834, and is still in the active practice of law at the advanced age of seventy-eight. The local and later history of Mr. Wilson are specially set forth in the published history of Penob- scot county, Maine.

Raising Men .- Noticeable in that early period, was the large families and the prevailing good health of the mothers and children. James W. Weeks says: "There were in my boyhood, nine families residing near Mount Prospect, their children numbered sixty-five, sixty three of these attained maturity. I hazard nothing in saying that not one of these chil- dren ever, of necessity, went to bed hungry or cold. There were many families of fifteen or sixteen children. and few with less than five or six. Many of those mothers who brought up those great families were women of refined tastes, cultivated minds, and mothers that any good man would be happy to own. It was a proud saving of an old stage-driver of years ago, when a gentleman from a more favored elime, who, noticing our short seasons, and as he thought unfruitful soil, said to him, . Why. this is a poor country! What can you raise here?' 'Raise men, sir !' was the reply. Truly, Lancaster has done well her part in raising good men and true to fill honorable and high positions."

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CHAPTER XXIX .*

Merchants - Manufacturers -Physicians, Apothecaries and Druggists - Hotels.

ERCHANTS .- Our merchants have always been among our lead- ing men. They used to be called " store keepers," and of those of the olden time, one of the first was a native of France, by the name of Toscan, who had served under the Bourbons as consul at Ports- mouth, but, who, on the accession of Napoleon, came to Lancaster, and kept a variety of articles on sale near the residence of Allen Chase, in dis- trict No. 2. His dwelling and store was burned out about 1804, whereupon he returned to Portsmouth, and, after the overthrow of the empire, went back to his native land.

Titus O. Brown, who exported the first and only tobacco from Coos, had his residence near the south end of the lower bridge and nearly on the site of the building now occupied by Charles Howe as a harness shop.

Col. Stephen Wilson was located at the north end, as was Benjamin Boardman, Thomas Carlisle, John M. Denison, and, for a while, William Cargill. Samuel White, father of the late Nathaniel White, of Concord, kept his goods in the bar-room of his tavern, as late as 1825. These men were succeeded by Royal Joyslin, R. P. Kent, Reuben Stephenson, Charles Bellows, William Sampson, Lewis C. Porter, Hosea Gray, D. A. Burnside, and a long list of others, who, for a time, were associated with them. To- day the oldest firm in town is that of " R. P. Kent & Son," represented by Col. E. R. Kent, surviving partner. This house is the largest purely mer- cantile establishment in Coös county, with an immense stock of dry goods, ready-made clothing, carpets, groceries, farming utensils, etc., etc. Next in order come those of James A Smith (forty years a merchant here), Kent & Roberts (Nelson Kentt and Burleigh Roberts), Bailey & Smith, and S. G. Evans, each carrying a stock of dry goods unsurpassed in variety in Coös.

Frank Smith & Co. (Smith & Bullard), besides being general grocers

*This chapter was chiefly prepared by James S. Brackett.

+Nelson Kent was born in Lyman, N. H. He married Debby N., daughter of William D. and Sarah A. (Goss) Spaulding. He came to Lancaster in 1836, and was clerk for his brother, R. P. Kent, with whom he entered into partnership in 1840, and continued for three years. In 1860 he became a partner of R. P. Kent & Son, with firm name of R. P. Kent, Son & Co. In 1870 he formed the business house of Kent & Spaulding (John W.). C. L. Griswold succeeded Mr. Spauld- ing, who died in 1883, and he was succeeded by Burleigh Roberts, forming the present firm of Kent & Roberts. Mr. Kent, for half a century, has been among the business men of Lancaster, and his courteous manners, strict integrity and honorable dealings are known to all.

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and provision dealers, have a large trade in flour and grain, coal, wood and lumber, supplying with these articles, to a great extent, a large surround- ing country. The grocery and provision trade is further represented by D. W. Smith, Howe Brothers, C. C. Noyes. A. G. Evans, W. R. Evans, Joseph McGee, and in East Lancaster by George S. Stockwell.

Books and Stationery .- George H. Colby has the largest and best se- lected stock of books in the county. On his shelves can be found the stand- ard authors, and a great variety of miscellaneous works. Orders for magazines, subscription books, and other publications are made a specialty. In connection with his book trade, he has a job printing office. He is one of the best book-buyers and book-sellers in the state.

Hardware and Agricultural Implements are extensively sold by Cob- leigh & Moore, who keep as fine a stock as can be found in any country town-also by George S. Morse in more limited variety.

Tailoring and clothing establishments are represented by Thomas S. Underwood, Nelson Sparks. C. Deitrich and George W. Lane, while many of the merchants keep ready-made clothing on hand.

Boots, Shoes, Etc., by Vernon R. Smith, Hazo Woodward and C. E. Allen.

Millinery and dress goods, by Mrs. S. G. Evans, Mrs. Mallard and Mrs. Cross.

The trade of to-day is chiefly a cash trade, whereas, before the construc- tion of the railroad it was a system of barter, hay, grain and farm products being exchanged for the various commodities the merchants had on hand, and it was not always by any means that their stocks in trade embraced a great variety.

Manufactures .- Years ago the spinning wheel, flax wheel, and the old fashioned hand loom, were heard in almost every house and cabin in this section. "Homespun " and hand-woven fabrics were worn by all classes; and of course fulling mills were necessary, where the cloth was not only fulled, but dyed, and, as it was called, dressed. At one time, the town had two of these mills in successful operation, one of these being the Going mill-taking its name from Asahel Going-on or near the site of the furniture factory of N. H. Richardson, on Water street, and the other on or near the site of the saw-mill now owned and run by F. Smith & Co .: but the necessity for these mills has ceased, as cloths and clothing are manufactured elsewhere.

Carriages and the various vehicles for comfort and use in transporta- tion and conveyance have been extensively manufactured here since about 1842; Harvey Adams being the first to make a specialty of this branch of business. His shops were at various times in different localities, once at the old trip hammer shop. so-called, where Mathew Monahan now does business as blacksmith, again where James McCarten now works and does

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

a large business as blacksmith, and again, and lastly, in the building where is now Charles Howe's harness shop. Edward DuFoe at one time had a carriage and furniture shop on the premises recently owned and occupied by Hon. B. F. Whidden, but now the residence of George Van Dyke. DuFoe brought to public notice the Elliptic spring buggy; such an improvement on the old thorough brace wagon, that its elegance and ease was unquestioned.

Thompson Manufacturing Co .- Samuel Rines had been for many years engaged in the business of blacksmithing, had acquired some property, and was the owner of the saw-mill, which had long been a feature in the business of the town, located on the northern side of Israel's river, near where his blacksmith shop was situated; there, in connection with his son, W. M. Rines, he began the manufacture of plows and various agri- cultural implements. The " Rines plow " had a celebrity which was well deserved, and some of them are still doing service on the farms of Coös. In 1858 the property passed into the hands of Jared I. Williams & Co., who conducted it. with improvements in machinery and a more extensive business, until May, 1860, when Alexander and Daniel Thompson bought an interest, and the firm became Thompson, Williams & Co., making nearly all the kinds of machinery then in use. The genius and taste of Alexander Thompson added largely to the success of this establishment. (See biography.)

In 1869 an incorporated company was formed, "The Lancaster Iron Works " -- which, after an existence of a year, was dissolved, the business passing into the hands of Alexander Thompson. January 9, 1873, the old machine shop was burned, and Mr. Thompson lost the results of years of labor, inventive genius, and industry. Fifteen thousand dollars was an enormous loss to the enterprising man, but he did not slacken his labor. He at once purchased the property of the defunct "Lancaster Starch Co.," on Canal street, and put up a new shop, the same year. The quality of the work done, the high character of the proprietor, and the pains taken to give satisfaction to patrons, brought a large and constantly increasing amount of orders. After conducting a prosperous business until October 19, 1874, and making the industry one of the solid institutions of Coos county, and a valuable auxiliary to the prosperity of Lancaster, Mr. Thompson admitted Kimball B. Fletcher, Jr., who had been trained into a skillful workman under Mr. Thompson's own supervision, and Frank H. Twitchell, his brother-in-law, as partners under the firm name of " Alex. Thompson & Co." This continued, after the death of Mr. Thompson, in 1582. until May 7, 1884, when the "Thompson Manufacturing Company " was formed with these members: K. B. Fletcher, Jr., F. H. Twitchell, W. T. Jones, and C. H. Balch. They do an annual business of over $25, - 000, employ from eighteen to twenty workmen, with a pay-roll of about

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$1,000 a month. Practical mechanics themselves, the partners give their own services and labors to the work and maintain the high reputation of the establishment for producing excellent machinery, while their reliabil- ity and accuracy in filling orders is steadily increasing the demand for their goods. In addition to iron foundry work they are machinists and millwrights, and manufacture wood-working machinery, shafting, gear- ing planers, special machinery, etc., etc.

Anderson J. Marshall, who had been quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of furniture, commenced, in 1847, the construction of car- riages on a rather small scale, and had built up quite a business, when, in 1852, his shops were burned; but, with a rare energy. he erected larger buildings, and with improved machinery and facilities went ahead in a work that required skill and capital and achieved a success profitable to himself, and which added largely to the interests of the town. (See biog raphy.) His health failing. he turned over his business to his son, Anti- pas P. Marshall, who associated with himself Wright Chamberlain, whose connection with the firm was soon dissolved, and Hon. George R. Eaton became a partner, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of "Marshall & Eaton." Their work has a high reputation. In busy times they employ thirty men. They have received orders for their car- riages from nearly every state in the Union.

Paper Mill .- At a town meeting held April 15, 1864, it was voted. " that the selectmen be, and hereby are, instructed to lease in perpetuity to K. B. Fletcher, Edmond Brown, Henry O. Kent, Jason H. Woodward. J. W. Spaulding. Charles W. Roby, Frank Smith and C. E. Allen, doing business as ' K. B Fletcher & Co.,' or their assigns, the waters of Israel's river and its bed, and the land on both sides of the same, being the same which was granted or given to the town by the original proprietors of the town of Lancaster to the said town for the benefit of schools, viz .: Com- mencing at the east abutinent of the upper bridge and running up Israel's river seventy six rods, and as much farther as a dam ten feet high at said terminus would flow back the water of said Israel's river, for the sun of one dollar annually for the benefit of schools in said town; and also. in consideration that said lessees shall erect, or cause to be erected, a straw board mill, or some other manufacturing of like importance to the town within a suitable time, and keep the same in operation."

The Lancaster Manufacturing Company was soon formed, and a mill built with a capacity for producing several tons of straw board a week. In 1867 S H. LeGro became treasurer and superintendent, and was in charge until August, 1871, when H. O. Kent became treasurer, and J. H. Woodward, agent. Mr. Woodward held his office until January 1, 1879. It was not a financial success, and Mr. LeGro and Col. Kent took the mill off the stockholders' hands, and agreed to pay the indebtedness. In 1871

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it was fitted to manufacture paper. Its production has been from nine to ten tons per week of wrapping and manilla paper, and gave employment to about ten men. In November. 1885, the mill was sold to T. M. Stevens, of Boston, and the business is now conducted by E. A. Booth and H. E. Stevens.

Next in importance in the manufacturing interests of the town is the furniture factory of N. H. Richardson & Son (late Richardson & Folsom), who employ from eight to ten men, and whose sales of furniture, finished and unfinished, are very extensive. Mr. Richardson came here in 1867 and purchased the property formerly owned by Oliver Baker, (one of the first who made the manufacture of bedsteads, bureaus and house furnish- ing goods a specialty in Lancaster). Mr. Richardson has manifested an enterprise in his business well calculated to advance the pecuniary, social, and moral interests of the community.

In speaking of the manufacture of household furniture, which of course was in accordance with the requirements of the times, we should not omit the name of Samuel Philbrook, who made bureaus, chairs, and bedsteads that did not, perhaps, rival in artistic beauty and grace those of modern times, yet still had the qualities of ease and endurance. Many of those old arm chairs are to be seen in the houses of our people, and weary bodies recline on those bedsteads, made comfortable and happy by the beds of feathers plucked from the geese which swam and cackled in the passing brook, and the real wool blankets made from the fleece of the flocks that grazed on the neighboring hills.

Frank Smith & Co. (Frank Smith and Willie E. Bullard) employ a larger number of men and teams than any firm in town, aside from their large store-of which mention has already been made. The grist-mill, em- bracing all the necessary appliances for custom work. has also the means for converting a large amount of foreign grain into flour and meal. Wheat and corn is shipped in large quantities to their mills from the west, and then retailed throughout the surrounding country. Their planing-mill and hay-pressing establishment, located just east of the flouring-mill. the saw-mill on the south side of the river,-each are employed most of the time, and the amount of hay pressed, and of lumber manufactured and sent away, would have astonished the towns people of twenty years ago. The public spirit which characterizes the firm has done much to develop the resources of the town and has added to its wealth and material pros- perity.

The Door, Sash, and Blind Factory of Leavitt & Hartford (Eugene Leavitt and N. E. Hartford) does an extensive business, and consequently employs a number of men.

The Carding Works of Ira E. Woodward (he being also engaged in

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the manufacture of carriages) is another quite important element in the prosperity of the town.

East Lancaster .- There are several saw-mills in town, one known as the Stockwell mill. on the site of the old mill once owned and run by Major Joel Hemmenway, in the east part of the town. And let me say, that around that locality has sprung up quite a little village known as " East Lancas- ter." with its store (dry goods and groceries), of which George S. Stock- well is the proprietor, a shoe store. William G. Ellis, proprietor (who is also postmaster of "Grange " postoffice), three shops, and a general air of enterprise and thrift, where only a few years ago there was the solitary saw-mill, and a single dwelling house.

Other Saw-Mills .- Higher up the brook is the saw mill of John M. Whipple, who manufactures almost exclusively hard wood lumber. This mill was built by John H. Spaulding more than forty years ago, and has done a good deal of work. Shattuck & Amidon have a small water-mill on Beaver brook. John M. Clark has quite a manufactory in connection with his saw-mill, near the south line of the town, near Scott's Junction. On the Great Brook in the "Gore, " is a saw-mill now run by steam, George W. Garland. proprietor, and where the immense quantities of timber on the Pliny range of hills, and in their valleys in the township of Kilkenny, is rapidly being cut into boards, etc. In 1878 D. & H. Beattie had a steam saw-mill at South Lancaster with a capacity for cutting 2,000,000 feet of lumber between April and December. They made a specialty of headings for molasses hogsheads. This mill was totally destroyed by fire, and was never rebuilt. Hilliard & Allen owned a steam saw-mill one mile north of the court-house, in the same year, which cut about 1,500,000 feet of lum- ber per annum, from logs brought down the Connecticut.

Miscellaneous .- The manufacture of potato starch was formerly ex- tensively carried on, but the business has dwindled to merely nothing. in fact nearly faded out of existence.

At one time, sixty years ago, Benjamin Adams distilled potato whisky; the " still-house" standing opposite the house where Aaron Guernsey now lives. There were other distilleries in town, but their location is some- what uncertain. Mr. Adams was a blacksmith, and made the best hoes, shovels, and hay forks then in use. Sylvanus Chesman, who owned a large tract of land. embracing what is now "Egypt," extending easterly up Israel's river, above the present village limits in that direction, was one of the old-time blacksmiths, who accumulated a large property. He was the builder and proprietor of the "Chesman Tavern," afterwards called the " American House." The blacksmiths of to-day are those connected with Marshall & Eaton's carriage manufactory, Riley Hosmer, James and Matthew Monahan. James and Robert McCarten.

Apothecaries, Druggists, and Physicians .- The first to set up a dis-

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tinctive "apothecary shop " in town was Dr. John W. Barney, who was, for a long time, a leading physician in this county. Previous to his enter- prise, drugs and medicines were retailed at the various stores, notably by Richard P. Kent, at whose establishment anything could be procured in all the range of articles needed in the community, from a grindstone to a grain of quinine.

The doctors of old times bought their medicines in bulk, and com- pounded them as occasion required; it was a part of the medical student's duty, who "read" with the local doctors, to make the pills, and do the other work necessary for filling the " saddle-bags " of their instructors, as they went out to visit their patients. Dr. Barney was succeeded by Ed- ward Savage, and he in turn by Dr. Frank Colby, who associated with himself his brother, Charles F. Colby. This firm, with some changes, has carried on a very successful business to the present time, and now requires a capital and skill greater than any establishment of the kind which had preceded it in the county.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 40

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