History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 21

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire > Part 21

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The corporation owns about forty-three acres of land in all, a part of which is on the west side of the river. It has six mills, containing two thousand seven hundred looms, and leases forty mill-powers of the Amoskeag Company. The goods manufactured are principally worsted dress goods and prints.

President, Samuel R. Payson ; Clerk, Josiah S. Shan- non ; Treasurer, John C. Palfrey ; Directors, Samuel R. Payson, William H. Hill, Moody Currier, Benjamin P. Cheney, William O. Grover, Joseph H. White, Jacob Edwards ; Agent, Charles D. McDuffie; Super- intendent of Printing Department, Benjamin C. Dean.

Langdon Mills .- This corporation was chartered in 1857, and organized in 1860. Its capital stock was two hundred thousand dollars, which was subsequently increased to five hundred thousand. It has two mills, one of which was formerly used as a paper-mill, the other having been built in 1868 by the company. Eight hundred looms and thirty-seven thousand five

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MANCHESTER.

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MANCHESTER.

hundred spindles are operated. They manufacture shirtings and sheetings.

President, William Amory ; Clerk, William L. Kil- ley ; Treasurer, Charles W. Amory ; Directors, Wil- liam Amory, Henry B. Rodgers, John R. Brewer, John L. Bremer, William P. Mason, C. W. Amory ; Agent, William L. Killey.

The Amory Manufacturing Company Was chartered July 1, 1879, with a capital of nine hundred thousand dollars. During that year building opera- tions were vigorously pushed, and the mill was finished and work commenced in the fall of 1880. The mill has fifty-six thousand spindles and fourteen hundred and twenty looms, and employs eight hundred oper- atives. The goods manufactured are fine and medium shirtings, sheetings and jeans.

President, William Amory ; Clerk, Gilbert P. Whit- man ; Treasurer, C. W. Amory ; Directors, William Amory, Daniel Clark, T. Jefferson Coolidge, John L. Bremer, G. A. Gardner, Channing Clapp, F. I. Amory ; Agent, G. P. Whitman.

Namaske Mills. - This corporation was organized as the Amoskeag Duck and Bag-Mills in 1856, and ten years later the name was changed to Namaske Mills. In 1875 the property passed into the hands of the Amoskeag Company, by whom it is now managed. The goods manufactured are principally ginghams and shirting flannels. Mr. William B. Webster, the superintendent for many years, resigned in October, 1883. He was succeeded by Mr. J. Walter Wells.

Derry Mills .- This corporation was organized in 1865, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. S. R. Payson is now proprietor, and George F. Lincoln the agent. The property comprises three mills on the Cohas Brook, at Gotfe's Falls.

The P. C. Cheney Paper Company carries on an extensive business in the manufacture of manilla and card-board paper in its mills at Amoskeag. This com- pany also does a large business in waste of all kinds, and has a large trade in paper manufactured elsewhere. It has pulp-mills at Goffstown and Peterborough.

PERSON C. CHENEY.1-The Cheney genealogy is traced from England to Roxbury (Boston Highlands), Mass., and from Roxbury to Newburyport, some of the family being there as early as 1680.

Deacon Elias Cheney, born in Old Newbury, Feb- ruary 20, 1741, settled quite early in life in Thornton, N. H., and died there in 1805, at the age of eighty-six.

Deacon Elias Cheney, son of the above and father of Deacon Moses Cheney, also lived and died in Thorn- ton. The latter died in Ashland (formerly Holder- ness) in 1875.

Person Colby Cheney was the son of Deacon Moses and Abigail (Morrison) Cheney, who were types of the God-fearing, God-serving, clear-headed and strong- bodied men and women of the earlier days.

Their intelligence, industry and integrity won the

respect of all with whom they ever had acquaintance. They taught their children (five sons and six dangh- ters), by precept and example, how to succeed in broader fields, and gave them as an inheritance, in the place of great wealth, good sense, true hearts and will- ing hands.

Of the sons, Rev. Oren B. Cheney (founder and president of Bates College, Lewiston, Me. ) is the oldest. The second son is Moses Cheney, a retired paper manu - facturer, now living in Henniker, N. H. The third is the late Charles (. Cheney, a graduate of Dartmouth, class of '48, who read law with Nesmith & Pike, of Franklin, and settled in Peterborough, dying in 1862. The fifth is Elias H. Cheney, proprietor of the Lebanon Free Press, and at the present time a State Senator.

The subject of this paper is the fourth son. He was born in Holderness (now Ashland), February 25, 1828. In 1835 his father, one of the pioneers in the paper-making industry of New Hampshire, sold his mill in Holderness and moved to Peterborough, where he, in company with the late .A. P. Morrison, his brother-in-law, purchased a small mill. In this mill, in the schools of Peterborough, in Hancock Academy and in Parsonfield (Me.) Seminary (then taught by his oldest brother) he received the education and training which have enabled him to reach the promi- nent positions he has occupied in business, political and social life.

Early learning paper making in all its details, at the age of seventeen he was placed in charge of the estab- lishment by those who had purchased it of his father, who at this time returned to Holderness. In this posi- tion he succeeded so well that in eight years, in com- pany with two other gentlemen, he built another mill, of which, at a later day, he became sole proprietor. He continued to make paper at Peterborough, gradually enlarging his business and engaging to some extent in other enterprises, until 1866, when he formed a partner- ship with Thomas L. Thorpe, of Manchester, for the sale of paper stock and the manufacture of paper, the mills of the company being located at Amoskeag, in Man- chester and at Goffstown. This partnership was suc- ceeded by one of which Mr. Cheney, Dr. E. M. Tubbs and Hon. Ira Cross were members, and upon the death of Dr. Tubbs, in 1878, by the P. C. Cheney Company, which now owns and operates the pulp-mills at Peter- borough and Goffstown, the pulp and paper-mill at Amoskeag, and extensive timber tracts in the town of Washington. The mills of the company produce seven tons of paper daily, and give employment to one hundred and fifty operatives.

Of this company Mr. Cheney, who was its creator and who owns most of its stock, is treasurer and manager.

It is one of the largest, best-known, most reliable and popular business concerns of the State. Its name is everywhere synonymous with honesty, honor and solvency. The qualities which have enabled Mr. Cheney to build up this great industry hold it steady in hand and keep it strong and growing in the worst

1 By Henry M. Putney.

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

of panics, as well as in good times, characterize him in all the relations of life, and make him a controlling power wherever good advice is wanted and hard work is to be done. These same qualities made him a leader in the Republican party in its early days, and they have kept him among the few to whom it always looks for help when wise councils and judicious man- agement are required to insure success.

In 1853 he represented Peterborough in the Legis- lature. In 1861-62 his time and his money were freely and zealously spent to make for New Hampshire the record which is her greatest glory. In 1862 he offered his services to the government, and was assigned to duty as quartermaster of the Thirteenth Regiment.

Exposure and overwork in the Fredericksburg campaign brought on a long and dangerous illness, from which his friends did not expect him to rally. The nursing of a devoted wife, however, brought him back to life, and after a long period of suffering, to health and strength, but not until the cause of the Union was won and the war was over.

In 1804 he was elected a railroad commissioner and served three years. When he removed to Manchester, in 1867, the people of that city gave him a hearty welcome. In 1871 the Republicans, being then out of power in city and State, insisted on his accepting a mayoralty nomination, and, finally consenting, he was elected mayor by a large majority, his election paving the way for the redemption of the State the next spring. Mr. Cheney declined a renomination for mayor in 1872.

In 1875 the Republican State Convention met under most discouraging circumstances. Their opponents had carried the State the year before, and had in- trenched themselves in power by every device known to political cunning, audacity and determi- nation. Many Republicans were of the opinion that it was useless to try to elect a State tieket, and all of them felt that it was only with a leader of great resources and dauntless courage that they had even a fighting chance. Mr. Cheney being nominated as such a leader, with great reluctance accepted the nomination. How wisely the convention judged was shown by the result, which was the defeat of the Democratic candidate for Governor and the election of a Republican Senate and House. There being no election of Governor by the people, Mr. Cheney was chosen by the Legislature.

The next year he was nominated and re-elected by a handsome majority of the popular vote.

In the long line of executives, the State has had none who discharged the duties of the office more faith- tally, with better judgment or more to the satisfaction of all classes, and he retired universally esteemed.

He has since devoted himself to his private busi- ness, declining further political preferment. He is always ready and willing, however, to render any service which may contribute to the success of the party in whose principles he thoroughly believes.

Mr. Cheney is a Unitarian whose faith is reflected

in his works. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a mem- ber of the order of Odd-Fellows.

He married, in 1850, Miss S. Anna Moore, who died January 8, 1858, leaving no children.

In June, 1859, he married Mrs. Sarah White Keith, to whose devotion, grace and accomplishments he owes much of the success and happiness of his busy life.

He has one child, Agnes Anna Cheney, born Octo- ber 22, 1869, who is now at school in Washington.

He resides in an elegant home in Manchester, in which a hearty and refined hospitality greets every visitor, and from which there goes out to every good cause that his neighbors and fellow-townsmen are engaged in, generous and unostentations help.

The Amoskeag Paper-Mill is one of the best in the State, with the finest machinery and all modern im- provements. The proprietors are John Hoyt & Co.

Olzendam's Hosiery-Mill is located in Mechanics' Row.

Manchester Locomotive-Works .- For an account of this establishment, see biography of Aretas Blood.

Manchester Gas-Light Company was chartered in 1850. Capital stock, one hundred thousand dollars. The works are situated in the southern part of the city, near the Manchester and Lawrence Railroad, on a lot of land four hundred feet square. The company has also, at the north end, near the Langdon corpora- tion, a gas-holder to regulate the supply and pressure. The annual product of gas is about sixty-five million cubic feet, together with five thousand chaldrons of coke and one thousand barrels of coal-tar.

Miscellaneous Manufactures. - Lowell's Iron Foundry, corner of Anburn and Canal Streets ; Corey's Needle-Works, corner of Concord and Maple Streets ; James Baldwin & Co., West Manchester, bobbins, spools, shuttles, etc .; Austin, Johnson & Co., door, blind, sash and bracket-making; A. C. Wallace. West Manchester, boxes; Manchester Chair Com- pany, chairs and tables ; Kimball & Gerrish, corner Elm and Bridge Streets, roll-skin manufacturers ; Hutchinson Brothers, iron and wood-working machin- ery ; George A. Leighton, Forsaith's building, manu- facturer of knitting-machines ; Sanborn Carriage Com- pany and J. B. McCrillis & Son, carriages; Bisco & Denny, card-clothing manufacturers; Carney & Co., brewers, at Bakersville; C. B. Bradley, Me- chanies' Row, and John T. Woodward, Franklin Street, roll-covering; S. A. Felton and the Manchester Brush Company, brooms and brushes; the Granite State Plating Company ; Manchester Pottery-Works ; J. A. V. Smith, manufacturer of fliers; Forsaith Machine Company, and others.

SAMUEL CALDWELL FORSAITH. - Robert For- saith, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a farmer and lived in Goffstown, N. H. He married Elizabeth Caldwell, who bore him seven children. Samuel C. was born in Goffstown Septem- ber 29, 1827. His boyhood was passed on the farm, where he assisted in the work. His educational ad-

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MANCHESTER.

vantages were those afforded by the common schools of his native town. At an early age he became inter- ested in mechanical work, was quick to comprehend the intricacies of machinery, and at the age of fifteen had constructed and set up on the bank of the river near his home a miniature saw-mill, complete in all its parts and in running order. At the age of seven- teen he left home and went to Manchester, N. H., then a town of about five thousand inhabitants, and entered the machine-shop of the old Amoskeag Mill as an apprentice. His close attention to his duties here showed his fondness for his chosen trade, and his subsequent success showed the wisdom of his choice. His frugal habits enabled him to live on a salary that at the present time would not suffice for even the most unskilled labor. Thrown out of em- ployment by a destructive fire, he next worked in the Stark Mills until September 1, 1850, when he went to Milford, N. H., to take charge of the machine repair- shops connected with the cotton-mills of that place, remaining eight years, when he went to Biddeford, Me., as foreman of the Saco Water-Power Machine- Shop, where he stayed for two years. In 1860 he determined to go into business on his own account, and with this purpose in view, returned to Manchester and hired an upper room in the shop of the Manches- ter Scale-Works. In this room, without other capital than his determination to succeed, he started. His first job here was the manufacture of hay-cutters, in which he was so successful that he resolved to make a push for business, and sent out a large number of cards announcing that he was prepared to do all kinds of job-work. Gradually his business increased, and at the end of the year he was furnishing employ- ment for four journeymen. During the second year he secured a vacant shop adjoining the scale-works, which he soon found none too large to accommodate him. Soon after moving into the new quarters he bought a patent machine for folding newspapers. The original owners had been unable to make the machine work. Mr. Forsaith saw that the design was practical, and set about perfecting it, which he did successfully. In order to make the folder a financial success it must be put to practical test, and to this end Mr. Forsaith visited the chief newspaper offices in the leading cities, representing the merits of the machine, and succeeded in placing a sufficient num- ber to warrant a very general test. Perfect satisfaction was given, and the orders for these machines came in fast. Besides the manufacture of the folders, the building of circular saw-mills, shafting, mill-gearings, water-wheels, etc., gave constant employment to the regular force of twelve workmen. That he might meet the requirements of his job-work, and also to keep pace with the demand for the folders, in 1863, Mr. Forsaith took a lease of the entire scale-works

and enlarged his working force. In 1867, becoming crowded for room, a new shop was built, which is now the main building of the present set of buildings, which cover an acre and a half, filled with busy mechanies and machinery for meeting the multiplying demands of what has come to be the largest business of its kind in the State. In 1872, Mr. William E. Drew (who had been an apprentice in this shop) was taken into partnership. The concern does its own printing, and issues quarterly an edition of some twelve thousand catalogues, which are mailed to all parts of the world. The pay-roll of this establish- ment furnishes an average of four thousand five hun- dred dollars per month. In May, 1884, the business had become so extensive and the care and responsi- bility so great that it was decided to organize this great industry into a stock company under the general laws of New Hampshire, capitalizing with two hun- dred and seventy-five thousand dollars, and the com- pany is now under the management of officers chosen by the board of directors, and is in a flourishing con- dition. The history of this industry, from its small beginning to its present magnitude, is a fitting and well-deserved tribute to the energy, thrift and good judgment of Mr. Forsaith, and shows what a resolute purpose can accomplish. In politics Mr. Forsaith was a Democrat, and took an active part in the coun- cils of this party. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, an Odd-Fellow, an officer of the Amoskeag Veterans and a charitable and kind- hearted citizen, whose loss will be felt wherever he was known.

Mr. Forsaith was twice married,-first, to Nancy W. Pierce, February 20, 1848, from which union there were three boys,-Frank P., George B. and William, who are now living. Nancy W. died April 21, 1871. His second wife was Clara J., daughter of Colonel J. C. and Clara J. Smith, to whom he was married December 23, 1875. From this union there are also three boys,-Samuel C., Jr., born December 16, 1876 ; Clarence S., born February 19, 1878; Dar- win J., born October 19, 1880. In the winter of 1884, Mr. Forsaith took a trip to the Bermuda Islands, accompanied by his wife, seeking rest and recre- ation, and after a short visit returned to bis home in Manchester, and after a short stop he started to visit the World's Fair at New Orleans, where he had a large exhibit. On his journey home, while on the cars, he was stricken with apoplexy. On reaching the city of Philadelphia he was taken to the hospital of the Jefferson Medical College, where he died March 23, 1885. His funeral, from his late residence, in Manchester, was attended by the various civil and military organizations of which he was a member and by many of the prominent citizens of Manches- ter.

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

CHAPTER VI.

MANCHESTER-( Continued). ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

Early Church History-Contention and Discord- Record History of this l'ertod-First Congregational Church-Franklin Street Church-First Baptist Church-Merrimack Street Baptist Church-Pine Street Free- Will Baptist Church-Merrimack Street Free-Will Baptist Church- First Methodist Episcopal Church-St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church-The First Unitarian Society-Universalist Church-Grace Episcopal Church- Roman Catholic Churches: St. Ann's, St. Joseph's, St. Augustine ( French), St. Marie (French). Christian Church-St. James Methodist Episcopal Church-Second Advent Society-City Missionary Society-Union Congregational Church, West Manchester -Spiritualist Society-German Church of the New Jerusalem- Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church-First Presbyterian Church (German)-French Protestant Church.

THE early ecclesiastical history of this town is a his- tory of contention and litigation, and to such an ex- tent was this continual strife carried that at one time its baneful influence seriously retarded the settlement of the place.

The following is principally the record history of this season of unrest and discord. In 1752 a move- ment was made for the settlement of a minister, and in the warrant calling the annual town-meeting of that year was the following :

"To see if the town will Joyn with the town of Bedford In Giving mr. mcDoel a Call to the worke of the ministry Between the two towns and to Do and act in that affair that the town shall think proper."

March 5th, it was

" Toted, to give mr. mcDouell a Cauell to the work of the ministry, Eather to Joyen woth Bedford or by our selves.

" Voted, John Ridill, Alexander mcmurphey, John Hall, a Comitey to prosequt the given of mr. IncDoul a Cauell to the work of the minestery to Joyn woth the town of Bedford or seprat and Distink by our selves."

April 26, 1753. it was

"Posted, tow Houndred poundes old tenor for yearly solery to mr. mc- Dowall Provied he Excpts of our Call to Joun woth the town of Bed- ford."

Nothing further appears on the town records rela- tive to the call to Mr. McDowell.

By the records of Bedford it appears that a call was given by Bedford to Mr. MeDowell. March 28, 1753, it was unanimously

" l'oted, to present a call for Mr. Alexander McDowell to the Revd. Presbytery for the work of the ministry in this town."

But the records of the town show nothing further in relation to him.

As early as 1754 the town voted to build a meeting- house, and to locate the same on the land near John Hall's house. This location produced much ill-feel- ing, and on the 3d of February, 1755, thirty of the inhabitants petitioned the selectmen to call a meeting, on the 20th of the same month, to reconsider the vote locating the meeting-house and raising money to build the same; but the majority of the selectmen refused to call the said meeting, thus denying the aforesaid inhabitants a plain and legal right. This refusal of the selectmen produced great excitement, and the in- habitants aggrieved petitioned JJoseph Blanchard and Matthew Thornton, two justices of the peace for the province, to call a meeting of the inhabitants, as pro- vided by law.

They complied with the wishes of the petitioners, and issued the following warrant to the constable of Derryfield:

" PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

"To Benja. Iladley of Derryfield in the sd Province, Constable of said town,-Greeting,

" Whereas it has been mead to appeer to us the Subscribers, two of his Majestes justes of the Peace of sd Province, Qurom U'nues that Thirty of the freeholders and Inhabitants of the sd town of Derryfield, by their Request signed by ye sd Inhabitants and freeholders made to the maj'r Part of the Selectmen of Derryfield aforesaid. When together did on ye third Instant Deliver and present such application in writing for the Calling a meeting of the Inhabitants of sd town to be held on the 20th Day of Feby, Cur't for the following Articles.

"First to see if the town would Reconsider ye Vote Relating to the choice of a meeting-house place and make the same null and void.

" Also to see if the town would Reconsider that vote for Raising mony for Building a meeting-house and order that ye Constable Omit his Col- lecting the Same and discharge the Severall frecholders and Inhabitents from such part of the Taxes in some proper method as shall then be thot Best and that the sd Select'n did on the said 3d 'day of Feby, Cur'nt Un- reasonably refuse and deny the Calling a meeting for the Propritors aforesd and ye sd freeholders and Inhabitants have applyed unto us for warnt, for the Calling of the freeholders and Inhabitants of Derryfield aforesd for ye doing of the Busness aforesd to be held on ye first Day of march next,-at ye house of John Goffe, Esqr.

" These are Therefor in his majyt name to Require and Command you the sd Constable to Notifie and warn the freeholders and Inhabitants of sd town of Derryfield, that they assemble at the house of John Goffe Esqr. in Derryfield, afores'd, on Saterday the first day of March nixt at ten o'clock forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles.

" First to see if the town will Reconsider the Vote Relating to the choice of a meeting-house place and make ye same null and void.

" Also to see if the town will Reconsider that Vote for Raisaing money for Bulding a meeting-house and order the Constable omit his Collecting the same and discharge ye Severall freeholders and Inhabitants from such part of the taxes in Some proper method as shall then be thot best here of faile not and make due return, Given Under Our hands and Scal at Merrymac this six day of Feb. 1755.

"JOSEPH BLANCHARD, Jusces of ye peace. Qromus U'nes. "

" MATTHEW THORNTON,

The meeting was duly held on the 1st day of March, 1755, and it was voted to reconsider the vote "making choice of a meeting-house place," and also to reconsider the vote raising money for building the meeting-house.

The following protest was presented and entered upon the record :

"DERRYFIELD, March ye Ist 1795.

" Wee, ye under Subscribers freeholders and Inhabitants of ye town of Derryfield, for Divers and weighty Reasons do Enter our Desent against the proceedings of this meeting which wee will make appeear at time and pleace Convenient.

" ROBERT DICKEY.

"ROBT. ANDERSON. "ALEXE. MCCLINTOCK. " NETHENELL BOYD. "WILLM. ELOTT.

" WILLM MCCLINTOCK. ". JOHN COCHRAN. " WALTER MACFFARLAND. "SAMIL MACFFARLAND. " WILLM GAMBLE. "JAMES MAC NEALL .. "

It seems that a majority at this meeting were not op- posed to the erecting of a house of worship, but op- posed the location.

"DERRYFIELD, Auguest ye 27 1758.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 21

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168