USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 57
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
Representatives .- (For " classed," see County History, page 201.)-1831, Simeon Warner: 1832, Joseph Colby; 1833, Joseph Colby; 1834, William Dodge; 1835, William Dodge: 1836, William Dodge; 1837, Joseph Colby; 1838, Simeon Warner; 1839, Simeon Warner; 1840, Simeon Warner; 1841. Sanmel Cole; 1842, Samuel Cole; 1843. John Burns; 1844, Samnel Cole; 1845. Roswell Carlton; 1846, Roswell Carlton, 1847. Caleb Rix; 1848, Caleb Rix; 1849, Morris Clark; 1850, Morris Clark; 1851, Ralph Fiske: 1852, John M. Gove; 1853. John M. Gove; 1854, Ralph Fiske; 1855, Almon Shepherd; 1856, Joel McGregory; 1857, William Bunton; 1858, Charles Parker; 1859, Moses H. Gordon; 1860, W. B. Hutchins; 1861, Moses H. Gordon; 1862, W. B. Hutchins; 1863, D. M. Aldrich; 1864, D. M. Aldrich; 1865, H. S. Walker; 1866, H. S. Walker; 1867, Albert Winch; 1868, G. W. Libbey; 1869, G. W. Libbey; 1870, Samuel L. Bray; 1871, S. L. Bray; 1872, W. F. Dodge, W. G. Brown; 1873, W. F. Dodge, W. G. Brown; 1874, B. F. Lane, J. Q. A. Libbey; 1875, B. F. Lane, J. Q. A. Libbey ; 1876, A. W. Lane, Frank P. Brown; 1877, A. W. Lane, F. P. Brown; 1878; 1879. E. H. Weston; 1880, A. L. Brown; 1881, A. L. Brown; 1882, voted not to send; 1883-5, voted not to send; 1885-7, L. J. Miner, R. B. Lane, Jr .; 1887-9, L. T. Hazen, J. C. Trickey.
Civil List-Town Officers :-
1805. Joseph Kimball, clerk; John Burns, Joseph Kimball, John McMaster, selectmen.
1806. John McMaster, clerk; John McMaster, Benjamin Brown, John Burns, selectmen.
1807. John Mc Master, elerk: John Burns, John MeMaster, David Burns, selectmen.
1808. John McMaster, clerk; John Burns, John Mc Master, David Burns, selectmen.
1809. John MeMaster, elerk; John McMaster, Robert Smith, Reuben Smith, selectmen.
1810 John McMaster, clerk; John McMaster, John F. Buswell, selectmen. [Chose Robert Smith third selectman in case of Henry C. Proof's resignation. ]
1811. John McMaster, elerk: John Mc Master, David Burns, Enoch Kinney, selectmen.
1812. John McMaster, clerk: John McMaster, Jolin Burns, Enoch Kinney, selectmen.
1813. Thomas Montgomery, clerk: John McMaster, Thomas Montgomery, Renben Smith, selectmen.
1814. John Mc Master, clerk; David Burns, Thomas Montgomery, John F. Buswell, selectmen.
1815. Thomas Montgomery, clerk; Thomas Montgomery, Asa King. John F. Buswell, selectmen.
1816. Thomas Montgomery, clerk; Thomas Montgomery. Paul S. Buswell, Asa King, selectmen.
1817. Thomas Montgomery, clerk: Ephraim James, Asa Johnson, Thomas Montgomery, selectmen.
1818. Paul S. Buswell, clerk; David Burns, Asa King, Caleb Rix, selectmen.
1819. Paul S. Buswell, clerk; David Burns, Caleb Rix, Paul S. Buswell, seleetmen.
1820. Paul S. Buswell, clerk; David Burns, Caleb Rix, Joseph Colby, selectmen.
1821. Paul'S. Buswell, clerk; David Burns, Paul S. Boswell. Joseph Colby, seleetmen.
1822. James Snow, clerk; Paul S. Buswell, Joseph Colby, Thomas Montgomery, selectmen.
1824.
Joseph Colby, clerk; Thomas Montgomery, Joseph Colby, Perley Foster, seleetmen.
1826.
Joseph Colby, clerk; Thomas Montgomery, Perley Foster, John M. Gove, selectmen.
William Dodge, clerk; Thomas Montgomery, Joseph Colby, Caleb Rix, selectmen.
1827. 1828. Paul S. Buswell, elerk; Joseph Colby, Caleb Rix, Perley Foster, selectmen.
1829.
John M. Gove, clerk: Joseph Colby, Thomas Montgomery, Caleb Rix, selectmen.
1830. William Dodge, clerk; Paul S. Buswell, Jonathan C. Chase, Simeon Warner, selectmen.
1831. William Dodge. clerk: Joseph Colby, Thomas Montgomery, Roswell Carlton, selectmen.
1832. William Dodge, clerk; Thomas Montgomery, Simeon Warner, Paul S. Buswell, selectmen.
1833. William Dodge, clerk: Thomas Montgomery, Simeon Warner, Roswell Carlton, selectmen.
1834. William Dodge, elerk; Thomas Montgomery, Simeon Warner, Caleb Rix. selectmen.
1835. William Dodge, clerk; Thomas Montgomery, Joseph Colby, Caleb Rix, selectmen.
1836. William Dodge, clerk; Joseph Colby, Simeon Warner, Ralph Fiske, selectmen.
1837. William Dodge, clerk; Joseph Colby, Ralph Fiske, Harvey Abbott, selectmen.
1823.
Paul S. Buswell, clerk; Thomas Montgomery, Ephraim James, Solomon Cook, Jr., selectmen.
1825.
William Dodge, clerk; Joseph Colby. Thomas Montgomery, Caleb Rix. selcetmen.
TOWN OF WHITEFIELD.
1838, Baker Dodge, clerk; Joseph Colby, Ralph Fiske, Joseph K. Kimball, selectmen.
1839, Baker Dodge, clerk; Joseph Colby, Ralph Fiske, Joseph K. Kimball, selvetmen.
1840. John Burns, 2d, clerk: Joseph Colby, Ralph Fiske, Joseph K. Kimball, selectmen.
1841, John Burns, 2d. clerk; Ralph Fiske. Caleb Rix, Simcon Warner, selectmen.
1842. John Burns, 2d, clerk: Caleb Rix. Benjamin Brooks, Jr., Henry S. Walker, selectmen.
1843. G. A. Cossitt, clerk; Morris Clark, John Burns, 2d, Joseph Colby, selectmen.
1844. John Burns, 2d, clerk; Thomas Montgomery, S. Warner. C. Rix, selectmen.
1845. John Burns, 21, clerk; Simeon Warner. Ralph Fiske. John O. Montgomery, seleetmen.
1846. John Burns, 2d, clerk; Simcon Warner, Ralph Fiske. Caleb Rix, selectmen.
1847. W. Carlton, clerk; S. Warner, R. Fiske, B. S. Batchelder. selectmen.
1848. J. A. McKean, clerk; S. Warner, W. Carlton, E. Eastman, selectinen.
1849. B. Dodge, elerk: R. Fiske. W. Carlton, J. O. Montgomery, seleetmen.
1850. B. Dodge, elerk; W. Carlton. J. O. Montgomery, J. Colby, selectmen.
1851. B. Dodge, clerk.
1852. B. Dodge, clerk: Morris Clark, Clark Goodwin, Daniel Jewell, selectmen.
1853. Ira S. M. Gove, clerk; Joseph Colby, C. Goodwin. D. Jewell, selectinen.
1854. W. B. Hutchins, clerk; J. MeGregory, R. Fiske, S. T. Cole, selection.
1855.
Moses H. Gordon, elers: Joseph Colby, Albert Hall, Aaron Guernsey, seleetmen.
1856. William F. Dodge, clerk: Morris Clark, S. F. Cole, Aaron Guernsey, selectmen.
1857. William F. Dodge, clerk; Joseph Colby, J. G. Montgomery, (. Libbey, seleetmen.
1858. William B. Hutchins, elerk; Simeon Warner, Zina Goodall. Lucius Bond, selectmen.
1859. J. O. Montgomery, clerk; Joseph Colby, Charles Libbey, Samuel L. Bray, selectmen.
1860. John G. Trulan, clerk; R. Fiske, S. T. Cole, F. B. Sawyer, seleetmen.
186I. J. O. Montgomery, clerk; J. Colby, C. Libbey, S. B. Howland, selectmen.
1862. John G. Trulan, clerk; S. Carleton, J. Bond, J. MeGregory. selectmen.
1863. J. G. Trulan, clerk; Spragne Carleton, J. McGregory, Julius Bond, selectmen.
1864. J. G. Trulan, clerk: S. Carleton. J. McGregory, G. P. Warner, seleetmen.
1865. J. G. Trulan, clerk; Greenleaf P. Warner, Caleb Walker, selectmen.
1866. L. V. Seavey, elerk; S. Carleton, S. T. Cole, E. B. Rogers, selectmen.
1867. L. V. Seavey, clerk; H. S. Walker, Julius Bond, Joseph Colby, selectmen.
1868. L. V. Seavey, clerk; S. Carleton, J. Bond, S. T. Cole, selectmen.
Joel M Sartwell, clerk; Joseph Colby, W. F. Dodge, Lauren J. Miner, selectmen.
1869. 1870. L. V. Seavey, clerk; Moses H. Gordon, L. J. Miner, Manson Bowles, selectmen.
1871. L. D. White, clerk; M. H. Gordon, W. F. Dodge, B. F. Lane, selectmen.
1872.
1873. L. D. White, clerk; M. H. Gordon, G. W. Libbey, L. J. Miner, selectmen.
1874. L. D. White, clerk; M. H. Gordon, G. W. Libbey, L. J. Miner. selectmen.
1875. L. D. White, elerk; Julius Bond, A. B. Elliott, C. E. King. selectmen.
1876. H. C. Bond clerk; I. S. M. Gove. A. B. Elliott. C. E. King, selectmen.
1877. H. C. Bond, clerk; I. S. M. Gove. A. B. Elliott, L. D. Whitcher, seleetmen. Julius Bond, clerk; William F. Dodge, D. M. Aldrich, W. T. Jones, selectmen.
1878. 1879. L. V. Seavey, clerk; William F. Dodge, D. M. Aldrich, W. T. Jones, selectmen.
1880, J. L. MeGregor, elerk; D. M. Aldrich, W. T. Jones, S. L. Bray, selectmen.
1881. F. P. Brown, clerk; B. F. Lane, L. J. Miner, E. M. Bray, selectmen.
1882. F. P. Brown, clerk; B. F. Lane, L. J. Miner, E. M. Bray, selectmen.
1883. W. N. Armington, clerk; B. F. Lane, L. J. Miner, E. M. Bray, selectmen.
1884. W. B. Hutchins, clerk; B. F. Lane. A. W. Miner. T. J. Twombly, selectmen.
1885. F. D. Bell, clerk; A. W. Miner, T. J. Twombly. U. H. Dodge, selectmen. 1886. F. D. Bell, clerk; A. W. Miner, T. J. Twombly, U. H. Dodge. selectmen.
1887. F. D. Bell, clerk; A. W. Miner, U. H. Dodge, M. B. Dodge, seleetmen.
482
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLVII.
Physicians-Lawyers, Etc .- Merchants, Manufacturers, and Mills-White Mountain Lumber Co .- Present Business Interests-East Whitefield Farmers' Club and White Mountain Grange- White Mountain View House.
HYSICIANS .- The first regular M. D. to locate in Whitefield was Dr. Darius Garnsey, who came hither from Richmond in 1821. He studied medicine with the celebrated Dr. John Parkhurst. of Rich- mond, and received his diploma from Dartmouth Medical college. Dr. Garnsey soon acquired an extensive practice throughout lower Coös, for, until after his death in 1830. there was, we believe, no other regular med- ical practitioner in any of the towns of Whitefield, Carroll, Bethlehem, or Dalton. His professional visits were almost entirely made on horseback, and over the hills and along the wood paths of the new country Dr. Garn- sey's horse and saddle-bags grew into a familiar picture.
His father was Cyril, commonly known as "Friend " Garnsey from his Quaker proclivities, who bought, in 1822, the then scarce-four-years-old farm of Jonathan Scott, just south of the present Dr. Waterston place. He was a native of Richmond. one of the "seed-towns" of Whitefield, it having furnished several of the early families of the town. The wife of Cyril, and mother of Dr. Darius, was Saloma Garfield, a cousin of Presi- dent Garfield. She was born in Warwick, Mass., May, 1769.
After Dr. Garnsey, came B. F. Sanborn. from Enfield. He lived in the house just north and opposite the Methodist church. Dr. Sanborn was a well-educated man, and, had not his progress been cut short by an early death, would have stood high in his profession. He was much interested in educational matters, and a member of the first board of school commis- sioners-Edmund Burke and William Dodge being his associates. He died inl 1835.
A Dr. Swazey for the next few months prescribed for the sick of White- field, but his professional career was brief. as he yielded the field to Dr. Albert Winch, who, for over forty years, lived, practiced and prospered here. He was a native of Bethlehem, a graduate of Dartmouth, and born October 16, 1809. He came here in 1836, and his success was marked from the first. What an earnest worker he was! What an enthusiastic talker! always bristling with facts! and with a love for his profession "passing the love of woman." His first pupil was Dr. George S. Gove. (See biography.)
Dr. Joseph Patten, born in Deering. N. H., was a student with Dr. Winch, and obtained his degree from Dartmouth Medical college. He
483
TOWN OF WHITEFIELD.
possesses the necessary qualities for eminence in his profession, practiced several years in Whitefield and vicinity, and removed to Washington, D. C., in 1886.
Bukk G. Carleton, son of Ebenezer and Lucia (Dexter) Carleton, is a successful practitioner in New York city. He is a follower of the Hahne- mann theory of "similia," and a graduate of that school of medicine. He was born in Whitefield, and with a fondness for his native place born of true manhood, he still calls it home, and here his family pass their summers, and he, an occasional respite among the friends of his youth.
Another native physician of the homeopathic school is Charles E. Dodge, son of William F. Dodge. His medical instruction was obtained principally at the Homeopathic Institute in New York city, and after grad- uation he immediately entered upon practice at Manchester, N. H., where he is meeting with marked success. Dr. Dodge seems to be one of those of whom it may be said. " He was born to his work." Dr. Dodge's wife is Ida, daughter of Samuel L. Bray, of Whitefield.
Charles Irwin Lane, a bright, particular star of the medical profession, whose light suddenly went out in April, 1883, was a son of Richard and Hannah (King) Lane, who settled in Whitefield in 1832, and where they always resided, save a comparative short interval of residence in Carroll, during which Charles I. was born, November 27. 1854. He was one of twins, the other being Edward Austin, a promising lawyer of Pittsfield, N. H. Dr. Charles was a graduate of Hahnemann Medical college, of Philadelphia, and commenced practice at Concord, in April, 1878, previous to which he travelled quite extensively in Europe His brief life was ended after a five years' practice, during which he had gained an enviable repu- tation as a man and a physician.
Dr. John L. McGregor, born in Whitefield September 5, 1855. after a preparatory education, took the Mechanic Arts course at Dartmouth in the class of 1875. He then studied medicine with Dr. Gove. He next applied himself to dentistry under the teaching of Dr. Olcott, and was graduated in 1871, at the Philadelphia Dental college. He located in Whitefield, where he purchased the drug store of O. S. Blood, and con- ducted pharmacy from 1878 till 1883. In the spring of 1853 he was a graduate of the Philadelphia Hahnemann college, and in November, 1583, of the Medical department at Dartmouth. He commenced the practice of medicine, at Whitefield, in 1883. and immediately entered a good field of labor. His practice is a busy and successful one, and extends to many of the towns adjoining. He is a genial companion, and a " live " and pro- gressive citizen. Possessing marked abilities, he has made an excellent reputation, and is regarded as eminently adapted for the profession he has chosen.
Dr. George H. Morrison is a physician of the homeopathic school. He
484
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
has a large, successful and growing business and is devoted to the profes- sion which he has made his life-work.
Lawyers .- The first representative of the legal profession resident in Whitefield was Hon. Edmund Burke, who located here in 1830. He re- mained three years. taking a deep interest in town affairs, more especially in the cause of education. Mr. Burke's place in Whitefield was afterward filled by George A. Cossitt, now of Lancaster. After about 1840 White- field, for nearly two-score years, was without a resident attorney-at-law, until Everett Fletcher began his practice here. W. N. Armington, Esq., located here later to look after the people's arguments and disagreements. Of able, unprofessional counselors, however, the town has had its full share, prominent among whom were Col. Joseph Colby, a man of well- recognized natural ability and rough common sense, whose law was right and justice; Esquire Thomas Montgomery, who, in his day, presided at more justice trials than any other man in the vicinity, and had the enviable record of never having but one decision of his reversed upon an appeal; Simeon Warner, Esq., a zealous, old-time Democrat, and at one time a prominent candidate for the nomination of governor; Ebenezer Carleton, Esq., once a leading politician of acknowledged ability and honor. He was formerly a resident of Bath, and, we believe, was admitted to the bar, but for most of his active life made no pretensions as a professional lawyer. His counsel, however, was often sought in cases of equity and law, and generally impartially given. Mr. Carleton was an extensive real estate owner, and, at one time, one of the most widely known dealers in land and lumber in Coös or Grafton. He, many years ago, purchased, remodelled and rebuilt the old "Snow corner," which, since the abandonment of the "King-Gore tavern " about 1851, was for years the only hotel in White- field. Mr. Carleton has gone " beyond" where there is no law but the "higher law."
Major-General John Gray Foster was born in Whitefield May 27, 1822. His father was Capt. Perley Foster, well remembered as a military enthu- siast in the old-time militia days of the county -- and who that saw them does not remember the independent company of "Whitefield Highlanders " in their picturesque uniforms and well-ordered movements at the old- fashioned annual musterings, under the dignified conduct of their leader, Capt. Foster. The father's military spirit was intensified in the son, and as a lad he was always the chosen commander in those boyish sports.
" Oh, were you ne'er a school boy, And did you never train, And feel that swelling of the heart You ne'er will feel again? Didst never meet far down the street With plumes and banners gay, A kettle for our kettle drum We played our march, march away."
485
TOWN OF WHITEFIELD.
When John Foster was ten years old the family settled in Nashua, and in the public schools of that place and at the Baptist high school at Han- cock were laid the foundations of his subsequent career. He entered West Point at twenty years of age, graduating with high honors in 1846. The various positions occupied by Gen Foster during the War of the Rebel- lion were in the highest degree important, and he was regarded as one of the most accomplished, brave and prudent of officers. In 1547 he joined (en. Scott in Mexico, was brovetted first lieutenant for gallantry at Chern- busco, was severely wounded at Chapultepec, and for his heroism brevetted captain. After the war he became a teacher at West Point. In 1861, at the bombardment of Fort Sumter, Capt. Foster was at the fort superin- tending the repair of the fortifications in Charleston harbor. In Angust, 1861, he was made brigadier-general, and appointed to serve under Burn- side in the Roanoke expedition: here he was successful, and for his gal- lantry was made major-general, and placed in command of the department of North Carolina. In 1863 he succeeded Gen. Burnside in Tennessee, and in 1864 commanded the Southern department. In 1865 he was as- signed to the department of Florida, and there served during the war. He died of consumption. in Nashua, in 1873. Young, as we count years, only fifty one, those years were full of living experience. His life is a part of the records of his country, and monuments of marble have been reared and earthly tablets have been graven reciting the deeds and virtues of far less worthy men than Major-General John Gray Foster.
Hon. Stilson Hutchins .- One of the most eminent of the many sons of Coös who have achieved national reputations is Hon. Stilson Hutchins, born in Whitefield, November 14, 1838. He was the only son of Stilson and Clara (Eaton) Hutchins, who settled in Whitefield in 1813. As a politician Mr. Hutchins is a thorough Democrat, and his paper published at Washington, though intensely partisan, is a power in national politics.
Hon. Aurin M. Chase, son of Rev. Jonathan Chase, was one of White- field's representative men. He was well and favorably known in the world of politics and in social and business life beyond his native New Hampshire. He was an early and earnest agitator in the struggle against slavery, being a co-worker with Hale, Sumner, and Wilson. He died in Whitefield, in 1876, aged sixty-nine years.
Merchants, Manufacturers and Mills .-- Asa Fiske came from Temple- ton, Mass .. in 1830. first to Lunenburg, Vt .. then soon to Whitefield, where he settled on the Jefferson road on the present Arnold Streeter place. Ralph Fiske, son of Asa, began merchandising in 1840. in the building now the " Coos Hotel " (which was originally built with two stories early in the "thirties" as a store), as a member of the firm of Brooks, Fiske & Carle- ton, which succeeded Mckean & Carleton. This firm went out of busi- ness, and Mr. Fiske conducted a small country store in the Allen store on
486
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
the site of the Libbey & Fiske store of to-day for some years in the " for- ties." In 1848 Aurin M. Chase and Mr. Fiske began trading in the pres- ent barber shop of W. F. Aldrich. In 1849 Mr. Chase sold to Caleb Walker, and, in 1850, Fiske & Walker removed to the Allen store, and Mr. Fiske soon became sole owner. In 1852 he removed to the present postoffice building, built that year, and continued in trade till 1857, forming with Hazen W. the firm of " Ralph Fiske & Son." This firm conducted the Carleton (P. O.) store for some time, and also one in the White Mountain Lumber Company's building from 1859 to 1861. About the latter year the stock of G. W. Libbey, then trading in the Carleton sore, was bought by the firm. In 1864 Mr. Fiske purchased the old hotel on the south side of John's river and moved the store there. Here R. Fiske & Co. and Fiske & Lane (Richard Lane) continued until 1872, when William K. Quimby bought the interest of Ralph Fiske, who permanently retired from trade after a long and successful career, in which his common sense, busi- ness ability, and religious integrity had been component parts of the com- mercial interests of the town.
Francis Fiske built the old Fiske mill above the village, in, or before, 1835, put in an up-and-down saw, with clapboard and shingle machines. He ran this ten years, when he died. His brother, Henry, soon became the owner and conducted the mill until he died several years later. (Charles H. Fiske, a lad of fourteen, was killed here in 1851, by falling on a saw.) Joel McGregory then became proprietor, and in 1852 merged it with that of R. B. Dunn & Co., becoming afterwards a stockholder of the White Mountain Lumber Co. After the failure of this company, G. Ste- vens & Co. came into ownership. They sold, near the close of the Rebel- lion, to Libbey Bros , and it has since been carried on by them. The Fiske mill served a long period of usefulness, but, in 1877, a new one was built across the river close to the W. & J. R. R. This had a capacity of 30,000 feet per day.
White Mountain Lumber Co .-- In 1852 R. B. Dunn, with other people from Maine, purchased the Allen store, built the present store of Libbey Bros. & Fiske, and began trade in connection with lumber operations on a large scale, as R. B. Dunn & Co. Shortly after, they formed the White Mount- ain Lumber Co., an incorporated stock company, which monopolized all the important mill-sites, constructed large mills where Browns' Lumber Co.'s and Hazen's mills now stand, and issued large amounts of stock, which was sold in small amounts (mostly to people of moderate means in Maine) at a high figure. The large mill and box shop at Hazen's Mills were burned, December, 15. 1856, with a large amount of manufactured stock. The company shortly after failed, and cannot be said to have been a benefit to the town.
In 1839 the manufacture of lumber was begun at Hazen's mill by Dodge
487
TOWN OF WHITEFIELD.
& Abbott who put up an old style mill, with clapboard and shingle machines. Ira Goodall and Joel McGregory bought it in 1844 or 1845 and continued in business until 1853. After the fire above mentioned the site was idle till 1858, when Myron P. Aldrich and Joel McGregory purchased it, and built the mill now standing. Gen. E. O Kenney became the owner in 1861 or '62, and, with Manson Bowles, formed the firm of Kenney & Bowles later. Before 1870 Hazen W. Fiske became a partner of the firm of Kenney, Bowles & Fiske, which was succeeded by Kenney, Hazen & Fiske, and, later, by L. D. & L. T. Hazen.
Charles Libbey, with his two young brothers, Nathaniel W. and Henry C., came to Whitefield from Bethlehem in 1841 and engaged in himbering. He bought the old Greenwood mill about 1846, enlarged the mills, developed the business largely, and conducted it in an extensive manner until 1877, when G. W. & N. W. Libbey came into possession. (They run them until the convenient timber was exhausted. and now operate but a shingle-mill there.) J Q. A. Libbey came here first in 1843 for one year's residence. In 1833 he returned, married, and purchased the David Brown mill, just below the village, containing board, shingle, and clapboard machines. This he conducted with various partners (J. C. Libbey, Joel McGregory, N. W. and H. C. Libbey) until 1865, when he sold it to George W. Libbey. In 1870 Mr. Libbey purchased the grist-mill of Fiske & Walker which he now oper- ates Henry C. Libbey and Lewis D. White, about 1868, started the planing and carding-mill at the village. In 1871 J. Q. A. Libbey bought his brother's interest, and Libbey & White conducted it until 1884 when Mr. Libbey became sole owner. The day of the carding-mill has past, and Brown, Bray & Co. now make a superior article of butter-tubs in the building.
George W. Libbey came from California in 1855, and established him- self as a trader in the basement near the iron bridge now occupied as a barber shop. In a few years he became an active lumberman, and, with his brothers, has been a constituent element of business prosperity in this locality ever since. They have dealt largely in lands, employed many men, and paid out much money. The firm of G. W. & N. W. Libbey dates from near the close of the Rebellion. In 1867 or '65 they bought the Round Pond mills in Dalton, and did a large business in making lumber for some years until the section tributary was depleted of stock. They manufactured at Burns pond for some time, and have manufactured at Libbey's mill (formerly Fiske's). They have made Whitefield their headquarters for their lumber operations in Kilkenny and Randolph.
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.