USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 41
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Parker J. Noyes, a native of this county, and a soldier in the late war, learned the business of pharmacist at St. Johnsbury, and came here in 1868. and purchased the plot and building where the office of James M. Rix had formerly stood, but which was burned with all the court records in 1846. Here Mr. Noyes commenced business: he has enlarged and de- veloped it until now it is one of the leading interests in town. He em- ployes, in the various departments of the establishment, twelve, and some- times fifteen persons. Orders are received from many of the leading drug- gists and physicians of New England, and the south and west, and they are filled daily by express and mail.
Physicians .- The physicians prior to 1800 were not men of very scien- tific attainments; but they possessed a certain kind of skill sufficient for the times. Dr. Samuel White, the first settled physician in the Coos country, located at Newbury, Vt., in 1773, and visited Lancaster profes- sionally in its early days. Dr. Francis Willson and a Dr. Chapman were the first settled physicians; of them much might be truthfully said in praise. In 1776 a woman afterward known as " Granny " Stalbird came from Portsmouth with the family of Col. Whipple, who settled in Jeffer- son, and resided with them a number of years, and was undoubtedly a most excellent nurse; but she styled herself a "doctor," and had a great reputation in certain families for the art of healing diseases. Dr. Samuel Legro was for a number of years a leading physician in town, a man of very strong natural ability and sterling worth. Many anecdotes are related of him, illustrating his sense of humor and professional skill, which will live long in the traditions of the times.
Dr. Benjamin Hunking was born in Newbury, Vt. He graduated from the medical department of Dartmouth college in 1808. He received a
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commission as assistant surgeon in the U. S. navy, and was stationed at several naval stations, and on board ship, during the War of 1812. He came to Lancaster from Portsmouth about 1815. He married Drusilla, eldest daughter of Hon. Richard C. Everett. His descendants are among the first people of Lancaster. His practice extended to the limits of the county, and he was everywhere reckoned skillful and honest in his calling. He held various offices, was postmaster a long time, and judge of pro- bate for twenty-three years, and the confidence reposed in him by his fel- low citizens is proof of the esteem in which he was held. His death occurred in 1868, at the age of eighty-six years.
Dr. Eliphalet Lyman, whose ancestors were of the best lineage of New England, was a graduate of Dartmouth Medical school, and came to town in 1815. His science was unquestioned, and he immediately took a stand as one of the ablest practitioners in all Northern New Hampshire: and, in all difficult cases, whether in physic or surgery, was consulted and his opin- ions were of great weight. During the later years of his life. Dr. Lyman relinquished medical practice, and opened an office as justice of the peace, the lawyers esteeming him on account of his mental ability, and giving him their business. He was a prominent member of North Star Lodge, F. A. M., and was buried with the honors of the order, July, 1858.
Dr. Jacob E. Stickney was a native of Maine, came to Lancaster in 1823, married Martha, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Nye) Goss, and continued the practice of his profession until near the time of his death, which occurred in 1869. Dr. Stickney was eminently a man of good judg- ment and painstaking in all matters pertaining to his profession. Dr. George T. Dexter was for a short time associated with him. In 1543 Dr. John W. Barney came here from St. Johnsbury, Vt., and soon took a very high place as a skillful physician and surgeon. Dr. Barney represented the old senatorial district, No. 12, in the legislature of New Hampshire, for two terms. He subsequently removed to Concord, and died there in 1883, but his remains, at his request, were brought here and buried with Masonic honors. He was one of the best informed physicians in north- ern New Hampshire.
Dr. James D. Folsom, now of St. Johnsbury, was for a number of years located in town and attained an enviable reputation as a skillful member of the medical fraternity.
Dr. John W. Bucknam, a grandson of Gen. Edwards Bucknam, com- menced practice in town, but was appointed assistant surgeon of the "Fighting Fifth." in which he served, being promoted to surgeon, until the close of the war, when he settled at Great Falls, N. H., where he died several years ago, greatly respected by a large circle of friends.
The present medical practitioners are: Dr. Ezra Mitchell, a native of Maine, Dr. E. R. Stockwell, a native of this town, and a descendant of
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Emmons Stockwell, Dr. Oscar Worthley, who was a surgeon in the 2d N. H. Vols. in the late war, and Dr. W. H. Leith, who are of the " old school " or allopathists. Drs. D. L. Jones and Frank Spooner, homeopathists, Dr. Samuel L. Wellington and A. W. Wark, dentists.
White Mountain Medical Society .- This was organized at White's Inn, Lancaster, May 17, 1820. Dr. John Willard, moderator; Dr. William Burns, of Littleton, secretary pro tem. The society was incorporated June 23, 1821. Dr. Eliphalet Lyman was the first permanent president. Its membership came from both sides of the Connecticut, and it has had an uninterrupted activity in usefulness.
Hotels. - Lancaster House is a modern structure where 150 guests can be accommodated. Gas and steam heat. N. A. Lindsey & Co., propri- etors.
Williams House has accommodations for fifty guests. John N. Hop- kins proprietor.
Mt. Prospect House, built on the summit of Mt. Prospect, in 1883, by W. H. Smith. Its elevation is 1,240 feet above the station, and 2,090 feet above tide water.
Hillside Cottage is a pleasant summer boarding place. W. L. Rowell, proprietor. A mineral spring of medicinal virtues has recently been dis- covered on the grounds.
Elm Cottage, Mrs. M. E. Hunking, proprietor, is a brick building, sur- rounded by magnificent trees, and has been a favorite stopping place with many for a long time. Before the Lancaster House was rebuilt it was for some time the only hotel in town.
CHAPTER
XXX.
Civil List, Town Clerks, Selectmen, and Representatives-Mails, Postoffices and Postmasters -Lancaster Bank-White Mountain Bank-Lancaster National Bank-Lancaster Savings Bank- Siwooganock Savings Bank-The New Cemetery-Societies, Grand Army, Relief Corps, Etc.
T OWN Clerks .- 1769 to 1789, Edwards Bucknam; 1790, Samuel Johnson; 1791 to 1796, Jonas Baker; 1796 to 1800, Isaac Chafee; 1800, William Lovejoy. (We cannot find any record for a long time.) 1834 to 1836, Thomas Denison; 1837, John W. Lovejoy; 1837 to 1845, Reuben L. Adams; 1845 to 1849 John S. Roby; 1849 to 1857, R. L. Adams; 1857 to 1859, David B. Allison; 1859 to 1864, R. L. Adams; 1864 to 1866, Charles E. Allen; 1866 to 1876, Edward Savage; 1877, Charles E. McIntire; 1878, John G. Crawford; 1879, George H. Emerson: 1879 to 1881, Charles E. McIntire; 1881 to 1883, Charles B. Allen; 1883 to 1886, Charles E. McIntire; 1887, Charles B. Allen.
Selectmen .- 1769, David l'age, Abner Osgood, George Wheeler, Emmons Stockwell, Edwards Bucknam; 1770, David Page, Edwards Bucknam, Emmons Stockwell; 1771, David Page, Emmons Stockwell, Edwards Bucknam; 1772, David Page, Emmons Stockwell, Daniel Cross; 1773, David Page, Edwards Bucknam, Emmons Stockwell;
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1774. David Page, Daniel Cross, David Page, Jr .: 1775, David Page. Edwards Bucknam, Emmons Stockwell; 1776, David Page, Edwards Bucknam. Emmons Stockwell; 1777, Emmons Stockwell, Edwards Bucknam, Moses Page: 1778, Emmons Stockwell, Edwards Bucknam. David Page, Jr. ; 1779, Jonas Wilder, Emmons Stockwell, Edwards Bueknam; 1780, Edwards Bucknam, Jonas Wilder, Emmons Stockwell; 1781, Jonas Wilder, Edwards Bueknamn, Emmons Stockwell; 1782, Jonas Wilder, Edwards Bucknam, Emmons Stockwell; 1783, Edwards Bueknam. Jonas Wilder, Emmons Stockwell; 1784, Jonas Wilder, Edwards Bneknam, Emmons Stockwell; 1785, Edwards Bucknam, Jonas Wilder, David Page; 1786, Edwards Bucknam, David Page, Emmons Stock- well; 1787, Edwards Bucknam, Jonas Wilder, Samuel Johnson; 1788, Col. Jonas Wilder, Edwards Bucknam, Emmons Stockwell, Sammel Johnson, Jonas Baker: 1789, Edwards Bucknam, Capt. John Weeks, Col. Jonas Wilder; 1790, Edwards Bueknam, Emmons Stockwell, Francis Willson; 1791, Emmons Stockwell, Edwards Bucknam, Francis Willson: 1792, Emmons Stockwell, John Weeks, Jeremiah Willcox; 1793. John Weeks, Jon- athan Cram, Jeremiah Willcox: 1794, Jonathan Cram, John Rosbrook, Titus O. Brown; 1795; John Rosbrook, David Page, Dennis Stanley; 1796. Joseph Farnham, Stephen Willson; 1797, Richard C. Everett, Titus O. Brown, Nathaniel White: 1798, Stephen Willson. Nathaniel White, Titus O. Brown; 1799, Stephen Willson, Nathaniel White, Titus O. Brown: 1800. David Page, Joseph Wilder, Levi Willard; 1801. David Page, Ben- jamin Twombly. Jr., William Bruce: 1802. William Bruce. A. N. Brackett, Sylvanus Chapman, Levi Willard; 1803, -: 1804, Adino N. Brackett, Richard Eastman, Elias Chapman; 1805, Adino N. Brackett. Richard Eastman, Elias Chapman; 1806, Adino N. Brackett, Richard Eastman, Nathaniel White: 1807, Adino N. Brack- ett, Nathaniel White, Richard Eastman; 1808, Adino N. Brackett, John W. Weeks. Benjamin Boardinan; 1809, A. N. Brackett, Richard Eastman, Jonas Baker; 1810, Richard Eastman, John W. Weeks, Urial Rosbrook; 1811, Richard Eastman, John W. Weeks; 1812, Richard Eastman, Ebenezer Twombly: 1813. Richard Eastman. Ben- jamin Boardman, Renben W. Freeman; 1814, Stephen Willson, Abiel Lovejoy, Sylvanus Chesman; 1815. Adino N. Brackett, Abiel Lovejoy, Richard Eastman; 1816. Richard Eastman, William Lovejoy, John Aspenwall; 1817. Adino N. Brackett, John W. Weeks; 1818, Adino N. Brackett: 1819, Adino N. Brackett, Richard Eastman, John W. Weeks; 1820, Adino N. Brackett, John W. Weeks. Richard Eastman; 1821, Richard Eastman, Sylvanus Chesman, Joel Hemenway; 1822. Richard Eastman. J. W. Weeks: 1823, John W. Weeks, William Lovejoy. Joel Hemenway; 1824. John W. Weeks. William Lovejoy, Nathaniel Goss: 1825, Jolm W. Weeks, Nathaniel Goss, Samuel White; 1826. Richard Eastman. Ephraim Cross: 1827. Nathaniel Goss, John H. White, Ephraim Cross; 1828, William Lovejoy, Edward C. Spaulding, Benjamin Stephenson: 1829. Ephraim Cross, Richard Eastman; 1830. John H. White, Reuben Stephenson; 1831, Richard Eastman, Reuben Stephenson. Ephraim Cross: 1832, Reuben Stephenson, Amos Legro, John Smith; 1833, John H. White, Adino N. Brackett, Richard Eastman; 1834, John W. Weeks, Abiel Lovejoy, Reuben Stephenson; 1835, Reuben Stephenson, John H. White, Elijah D. Twombly: 1836, Reuben Stephenson, Elijah Twombly, Harvey Adams; 1837, Solomon Hemenway, Reuben Stephenson, Harvey Adams; 1838, John H. White, Harvey Adams, William Holkens: 1839, Reuben Stephenson. Harvey Adams, Edwin F. Eastman; 1840, Reuben Stephenson, William D. Spaulding. Barton G. Towne: 1841, William D. Spaulding, Barton G. Towne. Richard Eastman; 1842, Reuben Stephenson, William Lovejoy, Will- iam Holkins; 1843. Reuben Stephenson, John W. Hodgdon, William Lovejoy; 1844. Adino N. Brackett. Samuel MeIntire, John W. Hodgdon: 1845. Barton G. Towne, Samnel MeIntire, James W. Weeks; 1846, Reuben Stephen- son, James Marden, Fielding Smith: 1847, Reuben Stephenson, James Marden, Edward B. MeIntire; 1848, James W. Weeks, Edward B. MeIntire, Barton G. Towne; 1849, Reuben L. Adams, William R. Stockwell, James MeIntire; 1850, John H. White, John W. Hodgdon, Joseph B. Moore: 1851, George Alexander, William R. Stock- well. Joseph B. Moore; 1852, Seth Savage, Silas MeIntire, Hiram Twitchell; 1853, Seth Savage. William S. Clark, John W. Hodgdon; 1854. Seth Savage, William S. Clark, (till Angust), James Legro, William R. Stock- well, (from August 26): 1855. Seth Savage, James Legro, Seth Adams; 1856, Charles Plaisted, William A. White. Seth Adams; 1857, Charles Plaisted, William A. White, Freedom M. Rhodes; 1858, F. M. Rhodes, Will- iam D. Weeks. Hiram Savage; 1859, William D. Weeks, Hiram Savage, S. H. Legro; 1860, S. II. Legro, William F. Smith, Charles B. Allen: 1861, William F. Smith, Charles B. Allen, James W. Weeks; 1862, S. 11. Legro, Ed- ward Spaulding, Horace F. Ilolton; 1863, E. Spanlding, H. F. Holton, Horace Whitcomb: 1864, Seth Savage, Joseph B. Moore, Fielding Smith: 1865, Samuel H. Legro, Jason W. Savage, Charles B. Allen: 1866, S. II. Legro, J. W. Weeks, C. B. Allen; 1867, S. H. Legro. J. W. Weeks, C. B. Allen: 1863, S. H. Legro. C. B. Allen, Jason W. Savage; 1869, S. II. Legro, J. W. Weeks, C. B. Allen: 1870. S. H. Legro, J. W. Weeks. Hiram Savage; 1871, S. H. Legro, J. W. Weeks, HI. Savage; 1872, Seth Savage, Charles S. lodgdon, William J. Harriman ; 1873, Seth Savage. Barton G. Towne, Edward Emerson; 1874, William Clongh, Francis Kelburn, E. Emerson; 1875. Seth Savage, Barton G. Towne, Philip Hartley; 1876, Seth Savage, Philip Hartley, Thomas S. Ellis; 1877. Samuel H. Legro, Roswell W. Chesman, John Daley; 1878, S. H. Legro, R. W. Chesman, John Daley; 1879, S. HI. Legro; R. W. Chesman, John Daley: 1880, Roswell W. Chesman. Edward Spaulding, Isaac W. Hopkinson; 1881, Edward Spaulding, Erastus V. Cobleigh, Sylvanus R. Chesman; 1882. E. Spaulding. E. V. Cobleigh, Jonas Powers; 1883, Samuel H. Legro, John M. Clark, Daniel Trneland; 1884, S. H. Legro, J. M. Clark, Daniel True-
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
land; 1885, S. H. Legro, James Bain, Charles C. Noyes: 1886, S. H. Legro, James Bain, Charles C. Noyes; 1887, Edward Spaulding. H. J. Guernsey. W. E. Bullard.
Representatives .- (See Early Representatives in County Chapter, page 200.) 1801, Richard C. Everett; 1802, Richard C. Everett; 1807, William Lovejoy; 1809, Willam Lovejoy; 1811, William Lovejoy; 1813. Adino N. Brackett; 1815, Adino N. Brackett. 1817, Adino N. Brackett; 1818, Richard Eastman; 1819, Adino N. Brackett; 1820. Richard Eastman; 1821, Adino N. Brackett; 1822, Adino N. Brackett; 1823, John Wilson; 1824, John Wilson; 1825, John Wilson; 1826, Richard Eastman; 1827, Richard Eastman; 1828, Adino N. Brackett; 1829, Richard Eastman; 1830, J. W. Williams; 1831, J. W. Williams; 1832, Richard Eastman; 1833, Richard Eastman; 1834, Richard Eastman; 1836, J. W. Williams; 1837, Adino N. Brackett; 1838, Richard Eastman; 1839, John S. Wells; 1840, Jolm S. Wells; 1841, John S. Wells; 1842, John N. Wells; 1843, no choice; 1844, William D. Weeks; 1845, Harvey Adams; 1846, Harvey Adams; 1847, James M. Rix; 1848, James M. Rix; 1849, Benjamin F. Whidden; 1850, Benjamin F. Whidden; 1851, no choice; 1852, George A. Cossitt; 1853, Royal Joyslin; 1854, Jacob Benton; 1855, Jacob Benton, Edward Brown; 1856, Jacob Benton, Edward Brown: 1857. John M. Whipple, Jacob E. Stickney; 1858, John M. Whipple, Jacob E. Stick- ney; 1859, George C. Williams, Seth Savage; 1860, George C. Williams, Seth Savage; 1861, no choice; 1862, Moody P. Marshall, Henry O. Kent: 1863, M. P. Marshall, Samuel H. Legro; 1864, S. H. Legro, James D. Folsom; 1865, William F. Smith, Edward Spanlding; 1866, no choice; 1867, Benjamin F. Whidden, Charles Plaisted; 1868, H. O. Kent, Ossian Ray; 1869, H. O. Kent, Ossian Ray; 1870, 10 choice; 1871, Benjamin F. Hunking, James Legro; 1872. John W. Spanlding, Seneca B. Congdon; 1873, J. W. Spaulding, S. B. Congdon; 1874, George S. Stockwell, Edward Savage: 1875, John E. Dimick, James McCarten: 1776, J. E. Dimick, James McCarten; 1877, George S. Stockwell, Francis Kelburn; 1878-80, George S. Stockwell, Francis Kelburn; 1880-82, Chester B. Jordan, James Monahan; 1882-84, Henry O. Kent, William S. Ladd; 1884-86. Frank Smith, Matthew Monahan; 1886-87, Charles A. Cleaveland, Robert McCarten.
Mails, Postoffices and Postmasters .- The first we can ascertain con- cerning the mail service is that Stephen Wilson was postmaster in 1803, and that the mail was carried to and from Haverhill at that time once a week on horseback. Col. Wilson was succeeded in 1807 by Abraham Hinds. In 1812 Samuel A. Pearson was appointed and held the office until 1829. In 1825 the mail was carried semi weekly to Haverhill on a two-horse wagon, weekly to Colebrook on a one-horse wagon, weekly to Bethel, Me., and to Waterford, Vt., on horseback. From an article writ- ten by James S. Brackett for the Lancaster Gazette in 1885, we quote :-
" Fifty years ago the mail was brought from Haverhill in a barouche drawn by two horses. The barouche was succeeded by the more preten- tious and elegant coach drawn by four horses, and the Jehu who handled the 'ribbons' and with mighty flourish and crack of whip reined in the fiery steeds at the postoffice door, and with pride and pomp whirled his panting, foaming team around to the hotel, where, with politeness and dignity, he handed down the passengers, was the envy of all the boys who stood agape and witnessed the wonderful feat.
" Those were days of simplicity in the country towns, and the arrival and departure of the mail three times in each week were occasions of mo- ment. Some anxious hearts were in waiting to hear from absent friends or the news from distant places, but there was no rush to the 'delivery ' as now; the postmaster took with care the letters and papers from the mail-bag, and called the name of each person who had the fortune to receive a letter or package, and if the person were present it was handed out to him; if not, the package was put into a drawer or laid upon a shelf
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or table to await the time it should be called for After a while it was found convenient to have letter . pigeon holes ' constructed and arranged alphabetically that time might be saved in looking over the accumulation, as a paper or letter might be required. Postage was not prepaid as now- adays. but the postmaster charged the amount due on a package to the receiver. if he was known and able to pay his debts, and once a quarter presented his bill. If the receiver was a stranger or an impecunious indi- vidual the postage was required before delivery.
"Dr. Benjamin Hunking was the first postmaster whom I remember. succeeding Samuel A. Pearson in 1829. Dr. Hunking was an earnest and consistent Jacksonian Democrat, and for that reason was appointed to the office of postmaster. For several years the office was kept in the house where he lived, now ' Elm Cottage.' The mail matter was so limited in supply that the little closet in his sitting room sufficed for the reception of all that came and went, and when a letter was called for, the doctor. and in his absence, any member of the family, would go to that small closet. look over the letters and papers and hand out the required package. The doctor, owing to professional and other business. soon, however. ap- pointed as his deputy Reuben L. Adams, a man well and favorably known in this vicinity; whereupon the office was moved down street, and kept for a while in a little room of the house built by Harvey Adams, which afterward became the property of Presbury West, and is now owned and occupied by Nelson Sparks. In 1842 Dr. Hunking resigned, 'rather,' he said, ' than to be removed from office,'and the appointment of Mr. Adams was secured.
" When Gen. Taylor became president, Robert Sawyer, being a Whig, and quite ardent in his political faith, was given the office. It was at that time considered quite singular that a man who had become so recently a resident of the town should receive the appointment, but Mr. Sawyer dis- charged his duties to the general satisfaction of the citizens. Of course when Franklin Pierce, New Hampshire's favorite son, assumed the adminis- tration, Mr. Sawyer stepped . down and out,' and Harvey Adams, who had always been a Democrat, a native of the town, and a very respectable citi- zen, succeeded to the office of postmaster. An office was fixed up in what is now the Shannon building, and was presided over by his daughter, Mrs. Darling. James A. Smith having rendered important services to the party was next made postmaster and performed its duties well.
"Royal Joyslin, an old time Whig, who had long resided in town and been identified with its interests, and a man of sterling integrity. was ap- pointed postmaster under President Lincoln. It was fitting that such a man should at last receive recognition, for he was a gentleman, honest in his convictions and honest in his business transactions. Mr. Oliver Nutter, who had been in town but a few years, a Republican, was appointed in
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place of Mr. Joyslin; was succeeded by John W. Spaulding, and he by Charles E. Allen."
In October, 1886, Charles E. McIntire was made postmaster, and cele- brated his accession to the position by fitting up an elegant office com- mensnrate to the demands of the times. "South Lancaster" office was established in 1885; the postmaster is E A. Steele "Grange " office, at East Lancaster, was created in the latter part of 1886, with William G. Ellis, postmaster. "Scott's " postoffice is at present in Lancaster, kept at the residence of J. M. Clark, postmaster.
The Lancaster Bank was incorporated in 1833 with John H. White, president, and Royal Joyslin, cashier. In a very short time Mr. Joyslin became president and held the office until the winding up the affairs in 1855. R. P. Kent succeeded him as cashier and retained the office until 1843. when George A. Cossit came in and acted until the bank went out of existence. The capital was $50,000. The stock was entirely lost by the failure of debtors of the bank. The charter expired and the bank closed in 1855. The incorporators were the solid men of that day, among them being David Burnside, Benjamin and Turner Stephenson, Ephraim Cross, Warren Porter.
The White Mountain Bank was formed in 1832 with a capital of $50,- 000, and these officers: President, James B. Sumner; cashier, G. C. Williams; directors, J. B. Sumner, Barton G. Towne, James W. Weeks, E. C. Spaulding. Oliver B. Howe, Hezekiah Parsons, Jr., Moses Wood- ward. It was largely patronized, did a fine business and declared good dividends for some years. Gov. J. W. Williams became president in 1858. and was succeeded at his death, in 1864, by William Burns. J. I. Williams soon was chosen cashier, and in redeeming the notes to close up the affairs of the bank, it was discovered that there had been an over issue of notes amounting to $53,000, and the former cashier, who had left the country, carried away $40,000 more of the funds. All the stock was lost, but all the obligations were paid. William Burns, J. I. Williams, J. W. Weeks and Barton G. Towne gave their skill to the settlement. John Farr, of Littleton, was receiver, and the bank was closed by the directors paying their pro-rata amount of the indebtedness. J. I. Williams paid on all the stock held by his father and brother, and the whole estate of the Gover- nor was swallowed up in the wreck.
The Lancaster National Bank was incorporated in 1881 with a capital of $125,000 and commenced business in its present location in 1882 with George R. Eaton, president; Everett Fletcher, vice-president; Frank D. Hutchins, cashier; board of directors: Ossian Ray, George R. Eaton, William Clough, C. B. Jordan, A. J. Marshall, Everett Fletcher, Lancas- ter; Seneca S. Merrill, Colebrook; R. H. Porter, H. O. Coolidge, Keene.
As it is in very able financial hands, and the only bank in the Connec-
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ticut Valley north of Littleton, it ranks high among the banks of the state, and does an unusually large and prosperous business. Its officers are gentlemen of extensive acquaintance and well known as business men of high order. Lancaster can well be proud of its national bank. It has now no vice-president, and the president and cashier first chosen still hold office. The present directors are: George R. Eaton. William Clough. F. D. Hutchins. Burleigh Roberts, William S. Ladd, George M. Stevens, Irving W. Drew. The surplus is $12,500.
Lancaster Savings Bank .- This solid institution occupies a prominent position. Its formation was due to Col. Henry O. Kent. While bank commissioner he became convinced that a savings bank in Lancaster would be both useful and profitable, and through his efforts the legislature was petitioned for a charter in 1868. The charter was granted and the bank organized July 29, 1868. as "The Savings Bank of the County of Coos." It has occupied its location in the Kent building from that time. The original trustees were H. A. Fletcher, R. P. Kent. A. J. Marshall. B. F. Whidden, Edmund Brown, S. H. LeGro, J. I. Williams, LaF. Moore. C. W. Smith, E. Savage and E. V. Cobleigh. J. W. Weeks. William Burns, Hosea Gray, A. Guernsey, J. H. Hopkinson. and J. H. Woodward became trustees in 1876. In 1883 the name was changed to "Lancaster Savings Bank," and we find among the trustees of this year George P. Rowell and Charles L. Griswold. The president first chosen was Hiram A. Fletcher, Esq., a man of great business ability, caution and integrity. The second president was Anderson J. Marshall, who was greatly interested in this bank. The third and present president, James W. Weeks. is noted for his sagacity in the management of financial trusts. Col. Kent, the treasurer from organization, has, also, a high rank as a financier. The management has always been of the most conservative character. Abso- lute safety, so far as human foresight can secure it, has always been regarded as a prerequisite of a loan. Its securities are varied, well selected and desirable. Its depositors are scattered not only through Coös county, but over a much larger area, and the great increase in deposits shows the public confidence in its management. July 1. 1887, the bank had assets amounting to $369,406.25, a gain during the last year of $69,023 35. The guaranty fund and surplus, also belonging to the depositors, was $13,353. 11. The officers now are J. W. Weeks, president; H. O. Kent, treasurer: S. H. LeGro, assistant treasurer; Frances E. LeGro, teller; H. O. Kent, S. H. LeGro, E. V. Cobleigh, Ezra Mitchell, Jr., J. W. Weeks, Parker J. Noyes, E. R. Kent, George S. Stockwell. James H. Curtis, trustees.
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