History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 76

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 76

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Gen. Moody Bedel was an active officer in the War of 1812, and ren- dered efficient aid to his country. He was liberally educated, represented Haverhill and Coventry in the legislature of 1802; made a settlement in "Indian Stream Territory " after his return from the scenes of war; re- moved to Bath in 1828, where he died, January 13, 1841. Gen. Bedel mar- ried, for his second wife, Mary Hunt, of Bath. They had nine children.

Col. Huzen Bedel, second son of Gen. Moody and Mary (Hunt) Bedel, was born in the pleasant town of Haverhill, N. H., July 31, 1818. When he was a year old his father moved the family to "Indian Stream Terri- tory "; but Mrs. Bedel could not endure the hardships and privations of her life there, and after four years she returned with her three children to Haverhill. Hazen, then five years of age, became an inmate of Jacob Williams's household, where he remained, attending school constantly, until he was ten years old. His father then established his family at Bath, and Hazen continued his school attendance for two years. Here his school life closed; but he had the advantage of a good elementary education, which, supplemented by his habits of thought and observation, gave him what he most needed for the line of business he ultimately entered. He went to Montpelier, Vt .. and worked with his brother. Moody, at shoe- making for two years, then returned to Bath and made shoes two years. An uncle, residing in Lancaster, sent for him, and he was engaged as clerk for "Sampson & Perkins," merchants, for three years, when they failed. Mr. Bedel closed up their affairs, which occupied him about a year, and by his skillful management. he acquired a reputation as a business man of more than ordinary ability.

August 10, 1838, Mr. Bedel came to Colebrook, and began his long life of activity here as a clerk for F. G. Messer. In four years' time he became a partner with one-third interest for two years. In October, 1844, he began merchandizing for himself in a building he had erected on Factory road, now Pleasant street, and conducted this there until 1861, when he trans- ferred it to the new building containing the Masonic hall, which he had built on Main street, just north of the Mohawk, and, forming the firm of HI. Bedel & Co., by admitting M. S. Marshall into partnership, carried on a general store until September 27, 1869, when he retired from trade. On the arrival of the Grand Trunk railway at North Stratford, in 1852, Mr.

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Bedel formed a mercantile partnership with Albe Holmes, and put up a store in that place, which they stocked with goods, and carried on until 1862. This building is now standing next to the Willard House, which was also built by Mr. Bedel and Mr. Holmes. About 1558 Mr. Bedel came into pos- session of the Columbia Valley Mills, comprising a saw. a grist, and a potato starch mill, and has operated them since. From 1877 he has been interested in starch manufacturing in Aroostook county, Me., with various partners, passing three months of each year, from September to December, in looking after this business.

Col. Bedel is one of Colebrook's representative men, of strict integrity and frank courtesy, his sterling worth and business qualifications have won for him a high place in the esteem of the community, and an unusually large range of personal acquaintance reaching to all parts of the state.

He married, December 15, 1847, Ann S .. eldest child of Dr. Lyman Lombard. She had been for years the companion and helper of her father, from whom she had received many valuable lessons that served to qualify her in more than an ordinary degree to be the companion and helpmeet of a man of the active and extensive relations of Col. Bedel, and the union has been a most felicitous one. Their children have been Ellen (died young), Lyman L. (died at two years), Alice (a student of medicine in Washington, D. C.), Isabel L. (died young), Hazen, and Mary.

In politics Col. Bedel has ever been a Democrat, -true to his convictions in adversity as in prosperity. As such, he has been called to fill many offices of honor and trust, which have been discharged with conceded ability. He was appointed postmaster of Colebrook in 1844, after conducting the office six years, and held the position ten years. He was delegate to the Constitutional conventions of 1850 and 1876; representative from Colebrook in 1833 and 1854; county commissioner from 1859 to 1862; member of Gov. Harriman's council in 1867 and 1868; judge of probate from 1874 to 1876. In addition to these, he has held for long periods the important town offices; been state commissioner of roads, and in many other and varied ways has been called upon to render service to the state and people. He has been treasurer of Colebrook academy for more than thirty years. He acquired his title of colonel from his service in the militia, in which he took great interest.

He has been a Freemason for more than thirty years, and ranks high in the order. He was made a Mason, December 26, 1855, at North Star Lodge, of Lancaster; was one of the seven petitioners for the restoration of the charter of Evening Star Lodge of Colebrook, in 1559, and is the only one now living: from that time to the present he has been an active and a useful member. He built his store on Main street to furnish a Masonic hall in the upper story, and leased it to the lodge at a nominal rent for a long series of years. He was exalted to a Royal Arch Mason, April 26,

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1864, at Franklin Chapter of Lisbon; made Royal, Select, and Super-Excel- lent Master, December 14, 1876, in Horace Chase Council of Concord; created Knight of the Red Cross, Knight Templar, and Knight of Malta, November 9, 1568, in North Star Commandery, Lancaster; and was Dis- trict Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in 1868 and 1869.

During the Rebellion the duties of enlisting men to fill the town quota devolved on Col. Bedel. He enlisted eighty-four men, and took charge of the relief of the families, and in this way did more service to the country than many who went to the front.

From early manhood to hale old age Col. Bedel has been adding to the welfare of his town, his county and his state. To his exertions and labors is largely due the establishment of the Northern Judicial District of Coos county. He raised the money for the court-house by subscription, and personally supervised its construction. He has been often called upon to administer on estates, as referee, and as counselor in intricate business affairs No citizen has been more noted for public spirit, generosity, integrity and uprightness. Without pretension as a writer or speaker, few men present arguments more cogently, forcibly, or candidly. He is unpre- tending in his manners, firm in his opinions, and his honesty and sincerity are apparent to all.

HON. SHERBURN R. MERRILL.

The incidents of Mr. Merrill's life present a valuable lesson to the poor but ambitious boy, starting as he did, with nothing but willing hands, a stout heart, and a determination to succeed; and by industry, sagacity and integrity accumulating a handsome property, and an independent position among men.

The Merrill family is of French origin, and the name was formerly spelled " Merle." Nathaniel Merrill was one of the first American ances- tors of this numerous family. Many of his descendants are prominent as clergyman, and in business and fanancial circles. Nathaniel, whose wife was Susanna Jourdaine, settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1634. Some of his posterity removed to New Hampshire. In 1750 Jonathan Merrill, grand- father of Sherburn R., was born in Newbury, N. H., where he died about 1×16. His children were Jonathan, Abraham, Mehitable, Sally, Samuel and Jane.

Sherburn Rowell Merrill, oldest son of Samuel and Fanny (Bancroft) Merrill, was born in Fisherfield in Newbury, N. H., January 2, 1810. His mother was a native of Dunbarton, and a relative of George Bancroft, the historian. Sherburn resided in Newbury until 1818, when his parents re- moved to Croydon. His uncle, Daniel Hastings, took the family, furni-

S. R. Merrill

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ture, and provisions in a wagon drawn by a pair of horses. They first occupied a part of Luke Paul's house, situated about three-quarters of a mile from the piece of wild land Mr. Merrill had purchased on credit, and which he partially cleared during the summer of 1818, working also as a day laborer for the maintenance of his family. In the fall he put up a log house. The logs were neither split nor peeled; the roof was made of sin- gle boards, battened: the gable ends the same. The cellar was a hole dug in the ground, not stoned. The lower floor was rough boards. the upper one single rough boards not nailed. The chimney was rough stones, laid in clay up to the beams; above these, split sticks and clay. The upper story was reached by a ladder. The crevices in the walls were stuffed with moss. The door was made of single rough boards, battened, with wooden hinges. A stone hearth and wooden mantel completed this primitive dwelling. The family first occupied it in the winter of 1818-19, and for nearly seven years this was their home. The winter's snows easily found entrance through the roof, and covered the bed of the young lad from one to two inches deep Sherburn became early accustomed to work. He assisted his father in his hard labors, and, when opportunity offered, worked for some one who could pay him money, even if small wages; working one year for Aaron Whipple, of Croydon, for $22, and clothing himself when fourteen. In 1825 his father moved his family to Peeling (now Woodstock). In April of the same year, Sherburn, now fifteen years old, shouldered his pack, walked to Croydon, and worked for Luke Paul seven months for $7 a month; then returned to Woodstock with all the money he had earned, which he gave to his father. In February, 1826, Mr. Merrill and his wife went to Amesbury, Mass., to make the first pay- ment on their farm. While there Mr. Merrill died suddenly, and Mrs. Merrill returned home nearly penniless. Samuel Merrill was a man of independent thought, and positive in his expressions. A little incident will illustrate this: He was a strong Democrat, and one time when he was going to the polls, a distance of two or three miles, on foot, one Paul Clark offered him a ride and all he wanted to eat and drink during the day if he would vote as he did. Mr. Merrill declined the offer. " Well, jump in and ride, any way." was the reply. "No, sir," said Mr. Merrill, "I will not ride with a man who would make me such an offer." He was a hard-working man, with limited advantages, but brought up his children to do what was right. Both he and his wife were members of the Free Will Baptist church, and devoted Christians. His sudden death at the age of forty was a great loss to his wife and family of little ones. Of the children, four survive: Sherburn R .. Joshua B., Frances (Mrs. William Leavitt), Mary J. (Mrs. Morrill Barnard). Mrs. Fanny B. Merrill married. second. Joseph Sargent. of Thornton. She was born January 20, 1759, and died in April, 1878.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

At the time of his father's death, Sherburn was sixteen, and Seneca S. but one year old. Joshua B. remained at home to carry on the farm, and, in April. Sherburn went to Croydon, worked until haying time, when he returned home (walking the seventy-five miles in a day and a half) to assist in cutting the hay. To pay the outstanding debts, they were obliged to sell all their crops and the farm. The following winter, and the year of 1828, Sherburn worked in Littleton. Here he worked several weeks for E. Going, who kept him busy all day long, and five nights out of seven, and by his employer's failure he lost nearly all his wages. In March, 1829, at the age of nineteen, he started for Boston, on foot, to try his fortune, and arrived in that city with $1.50. He was willing to work, did not despise any honest labor, and found employment immediately in driving a truck team at $12.50 per month, but, after working six weeks and receiv- ing but $5.00, he went to work in Brookline for one McNamara; remained two months, and only got his pay by shrewd management. He then re- turned to Boston, and worked a week for Mr. Putnam, of Quincy Market, for his board; his employer then gave him fifty cents, and told him to call at his stand once a day. and he would endeavor to find a situation for him. The second day he said. "Go to Broad street to Jacob Gregg." He did so, and Mr. Gregg hired him to drive a truck team for $12.50 per month, and he remained in his employ from August, 1829, until November, 1830, when he engaged with a Mr. Pratt until April, 1831. His next employment was hauling a hand-cart at $13.00 per month, but, in about six weeks, Mr. Sabin, his employer, wished him to sign an agreement not to draw a hand- cart within the range of his customers, for any one else, and added if he did not sign it, he should not employ him, and gave him a week to con- sider it, but Sherburn immediately answered, "I will quit to-morrow morning." The next day Mr. Hancock, a merchant, told him if he would get a hand-cart he would give him all his business. The young man had a cart made, and was located on Cornhill over two years. He worked in- dustriously, was frugal, kept good company, saved his money, and when he sold out in the summer of 1833, on account of his impaired health (he had a "lung fever" in March), he had $1,300 deposited in the U. S. Branch Bank. He passed that fall in travelling. His future wife's uncle, Samuel Merrill, persuaded him to take a voyage for his health to New Orleans on a brig he was loading with ice for that port. They left Boston about Jan- uary 15, 1834. Sherburn took with him furniture costing $900, which he thought might sell at a profit in the South, and $100 for expenses. On the eighth day out they encountered a severe gale, and after sailing all night with "chopped " winds, the next morning there was a perfect calm, but the water rose like great stacks of hay. The vessel could make no head- way. In less than an hour the top-masts and top-sails were lost, and the brig lay helplessly exposed to the dashing waves. For hours they were in

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this dangerous position, with the helm lashed, expecting the brig to go to pieces. Finally, however, a breeze sprang up, and getting on a little sail the vessel answered the helm. It took two days to partially repair the damage; they had lost their reckoning, and early in the morning of the thirteenth day out struck the north reef of the Bermudas in a heavy storm, which threw the vessel on her "beams' ends." They took to the boats, and did not see land until about one o'clock, when it was fifteen miles dis- tant. They drifted down opposite the lower end of the island, and at four o'clock in the afternoon were picked up. Mr. Merrill was carried to a sea captain's house, for he had been in the water so long he was almost dead. After a sojourn of twenty days on the island, he embarked on board a schooner for Charleston, S. C. From there he took passage for New York; the fare was $30, which was all the money he had, and the captain kindly gave him $10 to enable him to reach Boston, which he did, with $5 left, about the middle of March, very much improved in health, but with a total loss of his furniture, which was not insured. He was not strong enough for hard labor, and, after a short stay in the country, returned to Boston, and passed the summer on a sand lighter, and in travelling, buy- ing and selling horses. In the fall he went to Woodstock, and during the winter of 1834-35 he bought and sold dried apples, and in the spring bought horses for the Boston market. His health was not yet re-established, and he returned to New Hampshire, purchased five tons of dried apples, which he sold through the country, buying wheat and oats for return loading, and brought up his bank account to $700.

Mr. Merrill married, March 31, 1836, Sarah B., daughter of William Merrill, of Noblesborough, Me. She died, September, 1877. Their children attaining maturity are Lucretia F. (Mrs. Edward N. Cummings), who has three children, Edward, Jane and John; Sarah L. (Mrs. Ira A. Ram- say, dec.), children, Sherburn R. M., Ira A., and Louis; Ellen L. (Mrs. J. E. Lombard), children, Darwin and Lyman: Caroline H. (Mrs. I. W. Drew), children, Niel, Pitt and Sara M .; Mary J. (Mrs. W. H. Shurtleff), children are Merrill and Harry. January 1, 1879, Mr. Merrill married Mrs. Sarahı N. McDole, nee Butler.

About the time of his marriage he purchased a house and ten acres of land in Woodstock for $300, repaired the house and moved into it the middle of April. He also bought an old grist and saw-mill across the road, for which he paid $500. In the autumn and winter of 1536-37, he had them repaired at an expense of $700, but the man in charge did not understand his business, and Mr. Merrill's money was lost. Three years after, he ex- changed this property for a farm which he sold for $350. He lost by this investment over $1,000, and was in debt. In 1837 was the great panic year, when banks suspended, little money was afloat, business prospects were dark, failures were frequent, but, in spite of this, and his money

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

losses, Mr. Merrill was not discouraged, but with pluck, persistency and a determination to succeed, he went to Sandwich with a pair of horses and a sleigh, and bought five tons of dried apples. These he sold through the country, taking anything he could get for a return load, and realized $200 that winter. In the fall of 1838 he came to Colebrook, bought butter, and carried it to Boston and Lowell, selling it at an advance of seven cents per pound, and made about $100. Later in the season he purchased store- cattle and sold them on the road. These ventures were successful, and serve to show Mr. Merrill's perseverance and determination to succeed in some direction.

In December he came to Colebrook and bought about three tons of pork, paying six cents a pound, and contracted for a large amount the next year at six and a fourth cents. He started for market, but was stopped by a thaw in Columbia, where he unloaded his pork, packed it in straw, and put it in an old school-house. The snow disappeared, and the weather was warm during January. When the next snow came he took his pork to market, but this winter's work was not a profitable one. The next fall (1839) he bought some cattle in Colebrook which he sold at a good advance. In November he carried the pork to market that he had contracted for, and more which he had purchased for seven and seven and one-half cents per pound, and sold it for ten and twelve cents. This winter's work brought him $300, and Mr. Merrill felt that his prospects were brightening, as he was now "a little more than even with the world." In February, 1840, he hauled a two-horse load of starch to Great Falls for Barron & Page, of Woodstock, and contracted there to deliver ten tons of starch a year for three years, and sold his contract to Barron & Page for $150 on his return. The season was very dry with prospects of a total failure of the potato crop, and Mr. Page, to escape from his contract, offered, in August, to sell Mr. Merrill his half of the mill. Mr. Merrill accepted the offer, and, as rain came early in September, the potato crop was a fair one and the mill was busy. After one year's partnership with Mr. Barron, Mr. Merrill hired his half of the mill for two years and continued the busi- ness alone. The same year (1841) he bought 100 acres of land; five acres were in grass, ten acres felled, burned and " hand-piled." This he prepared and planted with potatoes. Not having money, he went to John Keniston, of Campton, who gave him credit for what he should want for the season. After harvesting his potatoes, he purchased all he could, made starch, filled his contract, and felled more timber on his land. [For clearing this land, Mr. Merrill paid each man half a bushel of grain per day. He measured the grain according to their labor. Many half-bushels were "struck," some slightly rounded, while others were heaped. In like manner Mr. Merrill has through life acknowledged the merits of his employés. ] He was particularly success- ful this year, and paid nearly all his indebtedness. In 1842 he raised potatoes,

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made starch, and "did not have to get trusted for anything." In 1843 he built a starch mill in East Landaff, and the next three years made starch there and at Woodstock. He also dealt in timber land, carried on farming, and was financially successful. In 1847 he sold his mill in Landaff for what it cost, having made 84,000 during the time he owned it. Near the close of 1847 he came to Colebrook, bought the water-power at Factory- ville, and some land of Caleb Titus near the seed-mill just above Pitkin's factory. He contracted for potatoes, for wood and lumber to build a starch mill, and, in 1848, put up one of 150 tons capacity. The potato crop was not a favorable one, but he manufactured twenty tons of starch, which he hauled to Portland. In 1849 the season was not much better, but the starch could reach the railroad at Paris. For the next two years he dealt in wild land, and manufactured shingles, clapboards and starch, in con- nection with farming. In August, 1852, he sold his house, clapboard-mill and starch factory, in Woodstock, and, in October, moved to Colebrook, where he had purchased of Ethan Colby the house in which he has since re- sided. In 1854 he made starch, bought and carried on the Hutchinson farm, loaned money, and sold timber land in Benton.

During his residence in Colebrook, Mr. Merrill has been largely and successfully engaged in every branch of important enterprise in this sec- tion. Although always in delicate health, he has accomplished much. As senior member of the firm of "S. R. & S. S. Merrill" he has had exten- sive dealings with a large circle for many years. Commencing starch manufacturing here before he was a resident. he continued it on an exten- sive scale, and has been sole or part owner in seven mills. In 1856 "S. R. & S. S. Merrill " purchased of Mr. Woodward the Kiddersville mill, of 100 tons capacity, and made starch there each season until 1886, when his interest was sold to Warren E. Drew. After running the Factoryville mill some years, Mr. Merrill sold it to Pitkin, Harvey, and others, and with his brother Seneca put up one at Colebrook Corners, in 1858, with a capacity of 150 tons. They operated this fourteen years, then took it down, and, in 1872, rebuilt it a short distance from its former site, enlarging it to a two-hundred-ton mill. This they conducted until 1884. Mr. Merrill, with Benjamin Gathercole, also built a mill on Cedar Brook, in Stewarts- town, in 1867, which he operated seven years. Besides these he had for some years a half-interest in two mills in Columbia.

Mr. Merrill began merchandizing about 1859, in the store opposite the Congregational church where Mr. Cutler had traded for some years. The firm was "Cummings & Co." for two years; then S. R. Merrill for some years until E. Williams became a partner, and the name was "S. R. Mer- rill & Co." for nearly six years. "S. R. & S S. Merrill " were their suc- cessors in 1870, and conducted trade until the admission of W. E. Drew, September 14, 1875, when it became " Merrill Bros. & Drew," for five

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years, when S. R. Merrill retired from merchandizing. Under its various names this house did a large and profitable business, and was for a long period the leading mercantile house of Northern Coos, drawing custom from a wide area of New Hampshire and Vermont. Mr. Merrill owned largely of the stock of the Colebrook Toll Bridge Co., and now owns forty- four shares of the one hundred of the Columbia Union Toll Bridge Co.

In early life he took a great interest in the old militia system, and was captain of a company from 1841 to 1849, when he was promoted to major, and the next year became colonel. He has always been a strong Democrat, and has at various times rendered great service to the Democratic cause in the state, but has preferred giving his time and attention to his business rather than to devote it to seeking or accepting office. He, however, rep- resented Woodstock in the legislative sessions of 1850-1851, Colebrook in those of 1872-1873, and his senatorial district in the state Senate two terms from 1879 to 1883 inclusive. He has also frequently served as delegate to state and congressional conventions. He has been interested in the advance- ment of education and religion; for many years he has been one of the trus- tees of Colebrook academy, and one of the trustees of the Methodist soci- ety since the building of the church. He was also a committee man to locate its site, and to settle with the building committee.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 76

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