History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 46

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 46

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In 1860 Mr. Eaton married Sarah J. Parker. They have three daugh- ters; Minnie P., Georgie May and Sadie Jane (twins). The family attend the Unitarian church, of which Mr. Eaton is a generous supporter.

In his various official relations Mr. Eaton is ever the prompt and faithful officer, performing his duties with the efficiency and accuracy manifested in his private affairs. His success should be an incentive to every young man, who, like himself, has brains, energy and a capacity to carry ideas into practical working. He has been successful because he deserves to be, and enjoys the friendship and esteem of the leading men of this section. A citizen of sterling integrity, kind and generous impulses, and frank and manly bearing, there is not one who does not wish him a long continuance of the prosperity which has in no wise changed his genial and cordial nature.

GEORGE VAN DYKE. *

George Van Dyke was born in Stanbridge, P. Q., February 21, 1846, the fifth child of a family of eight children. His father, George Van Dyke, was a native of Highgate. Vt. [The Van Dyke family came originally to Vermont from Kinderhook, New York, and, according to Washington Irving, was one of the prominent Dutch families which so early brought civilization to the valley of the Hudson under the administration of Peter Stuyvesant. Among them were "the Van Wycks, the Van Dycks, the Van Burens, t and the Brinkerhoffs and the Schermerhorns." Gov. Stuyve- sant possessed great energy of character, self-reliance and administrative ability; but was impetuous, turbulent, self-willed, and recklessly cour-

* By Rev. J. B. Morrison.

+Martin Van Buren, eighth president of the United States, was a descendant of this family.

large Com Syke

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ageous and unscrupulous in his absolutism. He was appointed Governor of the Dutch possessions in the New World in 1645, with two prominent officers associated with him in the administration of all civil and military affairs. They were the Vice Director and the Fiscal (an important office corresponding with our national treasurer). To this latter high office was appointed a soldier, skilled in wise counsels and of valor, Ensign Van Dyck. He had been wounded in the Indian wars, and, in 1644, was in charge of the expedition which exterminated the large Indian tribe that dwelt on the site of Stamford, Conn. He was imprisoned by Gov. Stuyve- sant for attempting to gain that place in the Council to which he thought his office legitimately entitled him. He was one of the most noted men of New Amsterdam (New York), for many years, and brought an Indian war upon the colony by shooting an Indian woman gathering peaches in his garden. Many lives were lost, Hoboken and Pavonia were burned. Van Dyck was shot dead by an arrow, and the very existence of the col- ony imperilled .- EDITOR. ] His mother, Abigail Hatch Dixon, was the granddaughter of Capt. Thomas Dixon, of South Hero, Vt., and daugh- ter of Capt. Joseph Dixon, a soldier of the War of 1812, a man of great probity of character. The Dixon family was of marked ability, and Mrs. Van Dyke inherited the chief characteristics of her sturdy ancestry." She married George Van Dyke, Sr., in 1836; they emigrated to Stanbridge, P. Q., where they built their log house, and cleared the land of its primeval forest.

In a home like this, George Van Dyke, Jr., could not fail to get that education that comes from experience and work. He attended the town schools until the age of eleven, and henceforth by his own industry and faithfulness was to make his way, and show by his ability and zeal that the real essentials of a strong manhood can be learned in the rough dis- cipline of the woods equally as well as in the seemingly more favorable surroundings of a city business education. At the age of eleven he began to earn his own living, and to put the hard conditions of poverty and lack of worldly advantages under his feet. To him. toil meant nothing: what- ever had to be done was accomplished. He had robust health and a strong will. He cared only to obtain employment, and was willing to work day and night at anything that offered. At the age of fourteen he engaged to chop in the woods on the Androscoggin, and, from that time, with a stout

* Capt. Thomas Dixon, a Revolutionary pensioner, settled at South Hero, Vt., about 1790. He was a worthy man, of kindly disposition, brave and heroic. When the British attacked Platts- burgh, Capt. Dixon took his gun and hastened to the front, where he became so much engaged in firing, that he did not notice that the Americans were falling back until he was nearly surrounded by the British. But he had boasted that he " never had and never would turn his back to the British," and he faced them as he retreated, and continued fighting. He received several bullet holes in his clothing, but by little less than a miracle escaped unhurt. - Vermont Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 573-4.

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heart, began to be the architect of his fortunes. Labor is luck; and clear grit in Mr. Van Dyke's case triumphed over every difficulty. At the age of twenty-six, the wood-chopper of the Androscoggin valley became, in company with Henry and Louis Bowman, at Guildhall, Vt., in 1872, the manager of a saw-mill on the Connecticut. From Guildhall he went to South Lancaster, taking charge of the mill there for himself in the spring of 1875. In the fall of 1876 he removed to McIndoes, Vt., where he accumulated a handsome competency; and, making wise investments in the timber lands of northern Vermont and New Hampshire (which rapidly rose in market value), he soon became one of the wealthiest capitalists in the section. In 1886 he sold all his interests to the Connecticut River Lum- ber Company, and became its president. Since that time he has devoted himself to the care of the interests of the company, and managed them with consummate ability. Through his indomitable force and powers of execution, the Upper Coos railroad, of which he is president, has this year become an accomplished fact. He is also a director of the Hereford, P. Q .. Branch railroad.

Althongh Mr. Van Dyke has been so singularly successful in business, his prosperity has not turned him away from the amenities of life. He is a very devoted son and brother, and a sincere friend. He generously shares with others the results of his large fortune. At his beautiful home in Lancaster, his mother, and his sister, Miss Eva, dispense an elegant hospitality. The churches of McIndoes find in him a most generous sup- porter. He is a Universalist in religious belief. Interested in everything pertaining to McIndoes, his place of business, and Lancaster, his place of residence, both towns find him public spirited in the promotion of their welfare. In politics he is a Democrat, but does not seem to be a political aspirant, content to be a voter for measures, and upholding the party to the best of his strength and inclination. Mr. Van Dyke is justly esteemed for all the elements of substantial success. In the proud record of his em- inent career as a business man, Coös can point to him as an example of what energy, persistency and pluck can achieve in overcoming obstacles. His chief characteristics, and to which his success is pre-eminently due. are "level-headedness," strong common-sense, excellent practical judg- ment concerning men and things. and marvellous executive ability. His hard work early in life on the farm and in the " woods, " developed an iron constitution, which enables him to do the work of half a dozen men daily. He possesses great memory, is a natural mathematician, is vigilant, untir- ing, and a man of excellent habits

FRANK SMITH.

Among the leading men whose activity, enterprise and persistent in- dustry have been powerful motors in furthering the growth and develop-

Frank Smith

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TOWN OF LANCASTER.

ing the business interests of Lancaster is Frank Smith, son of Chester and Betsey (Hutchins) Smith. He was born at Lunenburg, Vt., September 12, 1833, and was the youngest of a family of ten children. His childhood years were passed with his parents, and, like many farmers' sons, he had to use his hands to help move the wheels of the household economy. At the age of sixteen he went to Newbury, Vt., where he attended the seminary one year with good results; having acquired sufficient education to start him in life as a clerk in a store in Boston, where he remained two years, gaining a knowledge of business and fitting himself in various ways for his future field of labor. In the fall of 1852 he came to Lancaster and commenced his long and active business career in the store of J. A. Smith. The energy and ambition of Frank Smith, from which his success comes. would not allow him to be an employé, and the next spring, with his little savings, he began trade in a small way in the building, now the Colby Brothers' drug store. as a grocer and provision dealer; and. from that small beginning, he has, by his own ability and honest dealing, placed himself high on the list of business men, as having achieved a justly merited suc- cess. For four years Mr Smith conducted this store, then built, and occu- pied for about ten years. the store since occupied by D. W. Smith, but, by his unremitting devotion to his labors, his system became prostrated, and he was compelled to relinquish business for a time.

In 1870, however, with a partner, George A. Goodrich. under firm name of Smith & Goodrich, he engaged in the same line in the Burnside store, only paying more attention to the jobbing of flour, feed and grain. This partnership continued three years, when the firm became Frank Smith & Co., Mr. Goodrich being succeeded by A. M. Bullard, (who died in 1851, when his son, Willie E. Bullard, became Mr. Smith's partner.) At this time the business had assumed large proportions (over a quarter of a mil- lion per annum), and included grain, flour, agricultural implements, etc. In 1875 they were burned out in the great fire, losing heavily; but, with characteristic energy, business was carried on without intermission in a rented building, and the construction of the large mercantile establishment now occupied by them was begun as soon as the land could be bought. About 1873 the firm purchased a half-interest in the grist-mill in the village, and, with John P. Hodge, conducted it until it was burned in 1875. The next year they rebuilt it with facilities for grinding 150,000 bushels of grain per annum. In 1879 Mr. Hodge sold his half to Frank Smith & Co. In 1881 they bought the Freeman mill, remodelled it, put in machinery to cut annually four million feet of lumber, and from that time have manufac- tured lumber. They are also largely interested in the Kilkenny Lumber Company. Their business has steadily increased. They own and cultivate the Brooks farm of one hundred and twenty acres of beautiful meadow land, on which they have cut this year 130 tons of hay. They give con-

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HISTORY OF COUS COUNTY.

stant employment to about seventy-five men, and in the winter season to many more.

Mr. Smith married, first, Harriet B., daughter of Fielding and Mary (Bingham) Smith, on May 8. 1855. She died August 1. 1875. They had one child, Minnie. (She married Edwin T. Morse, of Charlestown, Mass., has one child, Frank.) Mr. Smith married, second, December 20, 1877, Esther J., daughter of Benjamin and Eunice (Bennett) Rhodes. She was born in Cairo, N. Y. They have two children, Florence J. and Frank C. Mrs. Smith was for several years a successful teacher in the State Normal school.

Although Mr. Smith has been an assiduous business man, yet he has been mindful of the civil affairs of the town. He has had the entire super- vision of the public schools in Lancaster, and has been a prominent mem- ber on the Board of Education for twelve years; he was a Republican until the Liberal Republican party was started, when he joined the Greeley movement, and has since acted with the Democrats; in 1881 he was nomi- nated for representative to run against the very popular C. B. Jordan and was defeated by one vote; in 1885 he was again nominated and elected by seventy-five majority over George P. Rowell: he was chairman of the im- portant county convention of 1886 which decided the rebuilding of the court house. He is frequently a delegate to county and state conventions. He has been a Free Mason for twenty-five years, belonging now to North Star Lodge and North Star Commandery: and is a member of the New Hampshire club. 'In his religious preferences he is a Unitarian, a regular attendant at the church services, loyal to its principles and generous to its charities. In his home-life he is kind and attentive: as a manufacturer and business man, an energetic and practical worker: and his labors have been crowned with financial success. Mr. Smith can always be relied upon as a hearty co-operator in and liberal supporter of any enterprise pertain- ing to the public good, and is a popular and esteemed citizen.

ANDERSON J. MARSHALL.

Anderson J. Marshall, one of the leading manufacturers of Coos county for a long period of years. was the son of Antipas P. and Nancy A. (Lucas) Marshall, and was born in Northumberland, July 13, 1819. His father died when he was a child of six years, and he was placed under the guar- dianship of his uncle, Hon. Joshua Marshall, who was for many years a county judge. He passed his childhood with his guardian and with his mother, who became Mrs. Eri Curtis. At the age of fifteen he was ap- prenticed to Benjamin Rolfe, of Colebrook, to learn the carpenter's trade, and while there he was a member of the "Colebrook Guards, " and served

A.f. Marshace

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in the famous " Indian Stream War." In 1837 he came to Lancaster and attended the " Old Academy," and then established himself in business here as a carpenter, and when twenty-one built the house so long occupied by Richard P. Kent. He was a good, faithful, and industrious workman, and his services were in demand. Subsequently he went to Lawrence, Mass., where he was in the employ of Abbott Lawrence, in charge of the men engaged in the erection of the noted " Pemberton Mills." He after- wards spent some time in St. Louis, Mo., and then returned to Lancaster, and, in 1847, bought out the carriage business of James W. Weeks, which he continued on the same site for thirty-five years. Mr. Marshall entered upon his new work with all his characteristic perseverance, and everything promised success. On the night of October 14. 1852, his entire plant was destroyed by fire. So great was Mr. Marshall's popularity, that a subscrip- tion was raised to aid him to rebuild, and a "Benefit Ball" inaugurated by the young people, the proceeds of which were devoted to the same benev- olent enterprise. With great energy Mr. Marshall immediately commenced to rebuild, and within a year he had erected a fine manufactory. driven by steam. its whistle being the first one heard in Lancaster. The business grew to large proportions; and he continued manufacturing with financial success until he retired from active life. He was succeeded by Marshall & Chamberlain, which firm soon became Marshall & Eaton (A. P. Marshall and George R. Eaton).

Mr. Marshall's death occurred August 28, 1883. His wife, Frances, daughter of George and Mary (Waite) Perkins. of Lancaster, whom he married January 1. 1840, survives him. Their children are. Antipas P. (who has three children, Fred A., Frank P. and Winnie A. ); Emma F. (Mrs. George L. Williams, of Concord, who has Jessie and Ethelyn); Belle (Mrs. George S. Locke, who resides in Concord. has one son. George S. ).

Mr. Marshall was a man of great force of character and untiring indus- try. He was never in public life, but was esteemed and respected in the community of which he had for so long a time been a producer and not a mere consumer. He was a member of I. O. of O. F., and a worthy mem- ber of the ancient Lodge of F. & A. M. He was president of the " Sav- ings Bank of the County of Coos." and a director in the Lancaster National bank. His religious belief was that of the Methodists, and for many years he was a useful and faithful officer and member of that church. By the energy of his character and devotion to business he accumulated a handsome estate. A long life well spent, and the respect and love of friends at its close, marks the success of earthly endeavor: and this good citizen, exemplary husband and father and kind friend will long be held in pleasant remembrance.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

ALEXANDER THOMPSON.

Of the numerous emigrants who came to Plymouth, Mass., in the "ship Ann" was John Thomson, born in the north of Wales in 1616, came to America in the third embarkation from England, and arrived at Plymouth in May, 1622. The first knowledge we have of the name is from the ancient book of heraldry. The name was familiarly known in England, Scotland, and Ireland; each family spelled the name differently and selected a different badge of heraldry. John Thomson was probably a descendant of the Scottish family. The letter "p" was not introduced into the name by his descendants until a century and a half had rolled away.

Alexander, son of Daniel and Persis (Ladd) Thompson, was born in Cornith, Vt., July 11. 1819, and died at Lancaster, N. H., September 3, 1882. His parents' circumstances did not afford him the advantages of liberal culture, and he was dependent on his own efforts for acquiring the knowledge he sought. which should open to him a wider sphere of life and a larger field of labor, and, while working in his father's blacksmith shop, he studied Latin with his grammar on the forge. He also read in the same way works of philosophy, science, and general literature. He had natural mechanical powers and remarkable inventive faculties. On attaining his majority he went to Boston and passed some years in manufacturing dental instruments. He was afterwards in the employ of E. & T. Fair- banks, St. Johnsbury. Vt., in their scale works. Subsequently, in com- pany with John H. Paddock, he established a machine shop at Paddocks- ville, Vt. In May. 1866, he came to Lancaster. [See " Thompson Manu- facturing Co "] Mr. Thompson was a great student and possessed a rare fund of general information, was well informed in all the current literature and progress of the times. The difficulties he had to contend with in acquiring his education seemed to develop his manhood and bring out those qualities which constitute a truly noble character. His was a peculiarly refined and sensitive spirit, and the religious element in him was dominant. During his residence in Boston, he became a member of the " Old South Church, " and retained his membership during life. He was a fine singer and was one of the choir. In mature life, he was a student of Swedenborg, and a believer in his philosophy. He attended the services of the Orthodox church of Lancaster, and here, also, his favorite seat was in the choir: and reverence, worship, and true emotion were mingled in his inspiring tones of song. He was for a time superintendent of the Sab- bath-school, and his influence was of a refined and ennobling nature. "His religion was that of love."

Mr. Thompson was three times married. By his second wife, Ellen Armington, he had one daughter. December 25, 1866, he married Alice,

the Thompson

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daughter of Hiram and Alice (Child) Twitchell, a native of Randolph, Vt. She survives him. The children of this marriage are Mary, Mabel C., Alice T .. Grace, Sarah Agnes, and Persis A. In the family relation, he was a devoted husband and father, finding his fullest happiness in the home circle. As a citizen. Mr. Thompson was in harmony with the pro- gressive element of society. He was a Republican in politics, and a valued member of the Masonic fraternity. His large and generous heart was always open to any appeal. As a business man, he gained an enviable reputation as a man of honor and worth; as neighbor and friend, he was a counselor, and sympathizer in trials, and his advice and pecuniary help, where needed, was freely given. By his life he illustrated the best quali- ties of a man, and won the respect and love of the community; and when the Lord called his good and faithful servant home, the strong man and the little child mourned together.

FRANK BUGBEE, M. D. *

The Bugbee family is of undoubted Scandinavian (Danish) origin, but was early in England. In the reign of Edward of Wessex (901-925) his minister of state was a Mr. Buga, who was prominent in affairs: and many land holders and landlords were of that name, or Bugga. In the last century there arose a celebrated Danish astronomer named Buggee, which name is often found now in Denmark and England. It has, how- ever, undergone various changes in its termination during these many centuries. Near the last of April, 1634, two ships, the "Francis," with eighty-four passengers, and the "Elizabeth," with one hundred and four passengers, sailed from Ipswich, England, the same day, and arrived at Boston nearly together. In the "Francis " came Edward Bugby, then forty years old, his wife, Rebecca, thirty-four years old, and daughter, Sarah, four years old. Unto this good couple was born, June 6, 1640. Joseph, who married Experience, daughter of Andrew Pitcher, of Dorchester, Mass., and moved, with quite a party of others, to Woodstock, Conn .. in 1686, as one of the original proprietors and first settlers. Joseph and wife had nine children. Their fifth son, Josiah, was born in Roxbury, Mass., No- vember 2, 1684. Upon arriving at maturity he took a wife, and moved to the new town of Ashford, Conn .. and was among its pioneers. He was active and prominent, both in church and state affairs. He was the an- cestor of Dr. Frank Bugbee, the direct line being Edward, born in Eng- land about 1594; Joseph, born in Roxbury, Mass., June 6, 1640; Josiah, born in Roxbury, Mass., November 2, 1654; Josiah, 2d, born in Wood- stock. Conn .. December 23, 1708: Amos, born in Ashford. Conn., Novem-

*By Hon. C. B. Jordan.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

ber 3. 1749; Ralph, born in Ashford, Conn., February 3, 1796; Frank, born in Waterford, Vt., September 18. 1836. Ralph Bugbee. Frank's father, married Irena Goss, of Waterford. Vt., October 4, 1820. They had six children. The third son died in childhood. The father and all the remain- ing children were doctors of medicine-some eminent in their profession. In the practice of surgery, for which they all seemed fitted, both by taste and nature, they excelled.

Frank was the fifth child, and although his father had become "well- to-do," yet he thought it best for all his children to know how to earn a living, and so put Frank to work upon the home farm at an early age. Frank attended the district school summer and winter, and there laid the foundation for his future education. He was a quiet, obedient, manly child, and would carry out his childhood plans at home and at school with- out bluster or ado. When a mere boy he was much with his father in his study and in the long rides a country physician in those days `was com- pelled to take. His love and aptitude for medicine were thus early devel- oped. A few terms at the academy as he grew older only made more manifest the bent of his mind. He then applied himself the more dili- gently to his medical studies, and, at the same time, with his father, among his patients had practical illustrations of the principles and theories so recently learned from the books. He entered the medical school at Dart- mouth college and took and held good rank among his fellows. He met there Dr. Frank Towne, now, and for a long time, a surgeon of the U. S. army. Coming to Lancaster with him for a visit, he made the acquaint- ance of his sister, Maria P. Towne, daughter of Barton G. Towne, and they were married March 4, 1563. He made his home in Lancaster, and at once engaged in medical practice. His kindness and gentleness, his good nature, quiet humor, and sympathizing heart soon made him popu- lar with all classes. He was not long in gaining an extensive acquaintance and a consequent large practice, extending into the neighboring towns of Dalton. Whitefield, Jefferson and Northumberland, and Lunenburg, Guildhall and Maidstone in Vermont. Soon he was able to make a beau- tiful home for himself, wife and only child. Hattie, who came to them in December. 1864. He was hospitable and generous, and entertained his many friends most royally. In his later years he purchased a large farm and took much comfort with his horses and cattle. In all enterprises for the improvement of the village and town he was in the front rank. As a citizen he was highly esteemed. As a surgeon his services were often sought after in difficult cases. As husband and father, he was tender, kind and considerate. His daughter, wife and himself all started nearly together for the "border-land." Hattie died July 16, 1880; her mother, five days afterwards. The doctor tarried until the sixth day of Septem- ber, and then followed his family in their silent march to the far country.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 46

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