History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 33

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

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farm and devote himself to that kind of employment, his thoughts ran upon matters more congenial to his nature. When about eighteen years of age he was employed by General Landsell to take charge of his farm in Bridgewater, Mass., where he remained several summer seasons. During this time he became ac- quainted with Miss Hannah Thomas Bartlett, of Bridgewater, whom he married July 11, 1813. He settled in Wayne, upon the farm which became the homestead, and was so occupied by the family dur- ing his many years of labor and life in the ministry.

He was associated with the society of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and interested in the affairs of that denomination at the early age of nineteen years, and soon after appointed a class leader and licensed to preach. His labors were attended with marked success, and at the annual meeting of the General Con- ference for Maine, in 1833, he was admitted to mem- bership and received his first appointment. He con- tinued in the active ministry until 1852, when failing health obliged him to cease labor ; but his love for the church and his zeal in the cause of its established creeds continued unabated during his remaining years. He died February 5, 1861, closing a life of industry and devotion, in which he had accomplished more good than usually falls to the lot of man. His wife died December 5, 1852. She was very beautiful when young, and was much beloved and admired by her wide circle of friends. Possessed of an earnest and devotional nature, she entered with ardent sympathy into the plans and labors of her husband, faithfully bearing her share of life's varied duties,-firmly in the hour of trial, and with amiable companionship when prosperity filled the measure of their ambition. They had eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. Three others have deceased,-Maryetta in 1871, and Francis and James in 1881. The remaining members of the family are Cathamander, William B., John T., Nathaniel W., Charles W. and Benjamin G. Cumner. Nathaniel Wentworth, the youngest but two of the children of John and Hannah T. Cumner, was born at Wayne, November 28, 1829. His early life was devoted to obtaining an education in the vicinity of his home, passing from the district to the private school in the town of Wayne, and to other schools and seminaries in the circuit where his father's ap- pointments were made. During some portion of the season, for a few years, he assisted the older brothers in cultivating the homestead farm, but at the age of sixteen he went to Wilton, Me., and engaged in learn- ing the tailor's trade. He remained there about three years; then went to Waltham, Mass., staying there abont one year and a half; then to Lowell, Mass., where he remained nntil 1851, when he came to Man- chester, N. H., and entered the employ of B. F. Man- ning, then doing business in the store occupied in later years by the firm of Cumner & Co.

John Cumner was but a few months old when the family moved from Sandwich, Mass., to Wayne. He was of a sanguine, active nature and carly evinced the character of a sincere and zealons worker in reli- gions matters. He obtained a fair education, and In Jannary, 1854, Mr. Cumner became a partner although to a certain extent compelled to work on the | in the business of merchant tailors and clothiers, the

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firm-name being Manning & Cumner. This arrange- ment continued until August, 1857. Mr. Cumner then withdrew and went to Washington, D. C., as a member of the firm of F. Tenney & Co., proprietors of the National Hotel. In August, 1859, he returned to Manchester and purchased the stock and "good will " of the Manning store, and entered at once into business, in which he continued as the sole pro- prietor until 1865, when his brother, Benjamin G. Cumner, became associated with him, forming the copartnership of Cumner & Co. At this time Mr. Cumner became also a member of the well-known wholesale house of Sibley, Cumner & Co., in Boston, having purchased an interest in the old house of Foster & Sibley, and devoted his attention largely to the wholesale trade. In 1868, Lyman E. Sibley re- tired, and Mr. Cumner became the senior member, the name of the firm remaining the same.

In the great fire of November 9, 1872, their estab- lishment was among the first to be burned, and the firm suffered a total loss of their immense stock ; but their eredit was so strong, and their energy and ability so widely recognized, that their business received no check, and the transactions of the house proceeded even upon a more extensive scale than before. In 1879 the firm became Cumner, Jones & Co., which is the present style of the business. In 1881 he sold his interest in the business of Cumner & Co. in Man- chester, which had enjoyed unvarying success and great prosperity from the beginning, and from that time devoted himself entirely to the Boston house. The business had so largely increased that it became necessary to give it his constant personal attention. The reputation of Cumner, Jones & Co. in commer- cial circles has become widely known, and its remarkable success an acknowledged fact. He was one of the founders of the Boston Merchants' Asso- ciation in 1880, and has for some time been one of its board of directors. The importance of this organi- zation to the great commercial interests of Boston is widely known.

Mr. Cumner has been eminently successful as a busi- ness man. Possessing in a large degree self-reliance and confidence in his own judgment, he selected an honorable calling and devoted himself to its duties and demands. He believed that industry and perse- verance, with well-matured plans, were certain to produce the most desirable results. He knew the energy and fidelity of his own character and trusted to the safety of sound principle, and he has proved that his plans were wisely laid and his ways well chosen. At a comparatively early age he has acquired a competence, and in his position of senior member of one of the soundest and most prosperous, and at the same time conservative, wholesale houses in New England, his influence is always in favor of that healthy and reliable condition of trade which estab- : Templar. In all these subordinate bodies he sus- lishes public confidence and guarantees general pros- perity.

And not only in connection with his partnership associations is Mr. Cumner known as a business man. In the circles where the leading merchants and im- porters of our New England metropolis are acens- tomed to meet and discuss the laws of trade and can- vass the prospects of the future his judgment is greatly respected, and the intelligence and foresight with which he is able to advise are highly regarded. He bears an unblemished reputation as a man of honor and fairness, in all ways commanding universal re- spect and esteem,-a gentleman in the true signifi- cance of the term. In the wide range of personal dis- tinction, among all the marks of honor and renown which the world affords, the title of a true gentleman stands first, and he who bears it worthily need envy neither prince nor potentate.

As a citizen, Mr. Cumner has taken an earnest and unvarying interest in public affairs. Politically, his associations have been with the Democratie party ; but his views have been conservative, looking to the real purposes of the government rather than the aims and desires of party politicians. While residing in Manchester he held important offices in the municipal government, was a faithful publie servant, working zealously to promote the general interests and the common good of his constituents, of whom he deserved well.

Mr. Cumner became a member of the celebrated military organization, the Amoskeag Veterans, in the days of its origin, and has continued to do active duty through the entire term of its existence. He held the office of captain in 1870, and commander of the battalion, with the rank of major, in 1879 and 1880. During his membership he has served in countless capacities incident to the general manage- ment of the organization, and while commander did very effective service in promoting harmony and unity of purpose and increased in a great degree the interest and efficiency of the corps.

Mr. Cumner's connection with the Masonic frater- nity has been a very prominent feature of his life. He became a Mason in Lafayette Lodge, Manchester, May, 1856, and was one of the petitioners and charter members of Washington Lodge in 1857. He held many subordinate offices, and was the Worshipful Master in 1862 and 1863, and has been treasurer nearly all the time since. His keen scrutiny of its business affairs and careful management of its accounts have done much to keep his lodge in sound financial condition. In 1856 he received the capitu- lar degrees in Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, and after serving at almost every post in that body, be- came its High Priest from 1862 to 1864. He took the cryptic degrees in Adoniram Council, in May, 1857, and soon after the orders of knighthood were con- ferred upon him in Trinity Commandery, Knights tained an ardent and zealous membership, contribut- i ing freely to their support and aiding materially in

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

their prosperity. In 1862 he was admitted to the degree of High Priesthood, and in 1863 received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Rite to the thirty-second, inclusive, in Boston, and in September, 1881, was elected to the thirty- third and last grade in Masonry. In the Grand Masonic bodies of New Hampshire he has been equally prominent, and his earnest labors and sincere devotion to their inter- ests have been recognized and appreciated. After holding several offices in the M. E. Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Hampshire, he was elected Grand High Priest in 1867 and 1868, and gave eminent satisfaction by his management of affairs. In the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire he held nearly all the subordinate positions, and was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1872, 1873 and 1874. As the presiding officer in these grand bodies, whose duties are mostly legislative, he commanded the respect of the fraternity for fairness and impartiality, and was highly esteemed for his graceful and courte- ons bearing. His addresses and official papers were regarded as sound and creditable documents by the fraternity in other jurisdictions.

If Mr. Cumner has been prosperous and successful in other departments of life, he has been remarkably happy and fortunate in his family and social relations. He married Miss Harriet Elizabeth Wadley, daughter of Moses D. Wadley, of Bradford, N. H., January 24, 1856. They have two sons,-Harry Wadley Cumner, born July 18, 1860, and Arthur Bartlett Cumner, born July 30, 1871. Harry Wadley graduated from the Manchester High School in 1879, with high standing in his class and the reputation of a faithful and efficient student. He entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Boston, in 1879, as a special student, remaining two years. In 1881 he engaged in mercan- tile life, and having integrity and the capacity to make the best use of his privileges and attainments, he has certainly the earnest of a prosperous and hon- orable life. In October, 1884, he married Miss Nellie B. Pope, daughter of Edwin Pope, Esq., of Boston, where he has permanently located in business. Arthur Bartlett, a bright and beautiful boy of uncom- mon intelligence, has yet to climb the pathway of youth; but if aught can be predicted from such tender years, he is not likely to disappoint the fond hopes of parents and friends.

In the common judgment of mankind, woman re- ceives very little credit for the success of man in the struggles and achievements of this life. The intuitive judgment and unfaltering support with which the faithful and devoted wife aids her husband are unseen influences, the force and importance of which never have been and probably never will be understood or appreciated; and although the remarkable success which the subject of this sketch has gained may be attributed to his ability and integrity, still the high social position to which the family have attained and the important and very creditable purposes which they

have accomplished are equally due to the clear and well-trained judgment, the watchful care and over- sight of domestic affairs, and the amiable companion- ship of his estimable and accomplished wife. While in their relative spheres, either in the busy marts of tradeor the domestic departments of life, "on 'change" or in the drawing-room, each, to a certain extent, must be judged independently, in all the economy of life her individuality and influence will be seen to have done their full share in moulding the fortunes of the family.

The future may not be forecast, but in the early achievements of men may be discovered the earnest of still greater success.

In the character and attainments of the subject of this sketch may be seen the promise of the full measure of life's joys and the realization of a noble and worthy ambition.

ALLEN N. CLAPP.

Allen N. Clapp, one of the leading business men of Manchester, traces his ancestry on the paternal side to Thomas Clapp, who was born in England in 1597, and came to this country in 1633. The line is as follows: Thomas, Thomas, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Asa, Allen, Allen N. His father, Allen Clapp, was born in Walpole, N. H., April 28, 1794, and died in Marlborough, N. H., February 9, 1838. He married, February 10, 1819, Hannah Newcomb, and their family consisted of seven children, Allen N. being the youngest.

He traces his ancestry on the maternal side to Francis Newcomb, who was born in England about 1605, and came to America in April, 1635, and settled in Boston. The line is as follows: Francis, Peter, Jonathan, Benjamin, John, Hannah, born February 25, 1793, died February 9, 1838.

Allen N. Clapp was born in Marlborough, N. H., January 2, 1837. His father having died soon after, his mother removed to Nashua, and here young Clapp received the rudiments of his education. He also attended the High School, and subsequently passed one year at the MeGaw Institute, in Merrimack. When about nineteen years of age he came to Manchester as clerk in the employ of Ira Barr, with whom he re- mained in that position until 1860. He then formed a copartnership with Mr. Barr, under the firm-name of Barr & Clapp, in the mercantile business. This business was continned under the same firm-name until 1881, when Mr. Clapp purchased Mr. Barr's in- terest, and has since conducted the business as sole pro- prietor. The large and elegant brick block now owned and occupied by Mr. Clapp, located at the corner of Granite and Main Streets, was completed in January, 1871. It is the largest block in West Manchester. In addition to dealing in groceries, flour, grain, etc., Mr. Clapp is the New Hampshire agent for the Stand- ard Oil Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, and his sales are extensive. Mr. Clapp was elected alderman in

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MANCHESTER.

1861 and 1862, and represented Ward Seven in the Legislature in 1874 and 1875. At his first election an effort was made to unseat him, but without success. Politically, he is a Republican, and attends Hanover Street Congregational Church. Mr. Clapp is one of Manchester's most active and influential business men, and has done much to advance the interests of this section (West Manchester) of the city.

May 25, 1863, Mr. Clapp united in marriage with Josie M. Mason, a native of Sullivan, N. H., and their family has consisted of two children, Annie M. and Freddie. The latter died in infancy.

JOHN C. FRENCH.

John C. French, one of the leading business men of Manchester, was born in Pittsfield, N. H., March I, 1832. He came of sturdy New England stock, his grandfather being Abram French, a carpenter and builder, who completed the interior of the first meeting-house in Pittsfield, and also the parsonage building for Rev. Christopher Paige, stepfather of the "beautiful Grace Fletcher," the first wife of Daniel Webster. Abram French bought the farm of Rev. Christopher Paige, known as the French homestead.

Enoch, the eldest son of Abram French, who mar- ried, in 1823, Eliza Cate, of Epsom, a most estimable woman, was the father of five children, the subject of this sketch being the only survivor. His boyhood was passed upon one of the rocky farms of Pittsfield, where his opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited. He attended the common schools of his native town, and by teaching winters and working on a farm summers he secured means which enabled him to attend several terms at the academies at Pittsfield, Gilmanton and Pembroke. Here he succeeded in acquiring an education which well qualified him for his subsequent successful business career.

At the age of twenty-one he entered the employ of J. H. Colton & Co., the well-known publishers, as salesman for their mounted maps. He soon developed a remarkable ability as a solicitor, and his executive ability, combined with his rare tact in dealing with such a variety of persons, attracted the attention of his employers, who rewarded him by giving him, a year later, the Boston agency for "Colton's Atlas of the World." The success which he attained with the maps followed him in this also, selling, as he did, more than twelve hundred copies of this expensive work. In 1855 he was appointed by this house their general agent for New England, and subsequently gave considerable attention to the introduction of Colton's series of geographies into the public schools. He was also subsequently associated with Brown, Taggart & Co. and Charles Seribner & Co. in bring- ing out their school publications.

In May, 1865, he was appointed State agent for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company. He then located in Manchester, where he has since

resided, although he still retains possession of the delightful old homestead in Pittsfield, where he first saw the light of day.

Three years later, having become interested in the insurance interests of the State, he conceived the idea of establishing a stock fire insurance company, and by untiring persistency and a zeal characteristic of the man, he succeeded in overcoming the almost uni- versal prejudice existing against such an organization, enlisted in its support some of Manchester's most prominent citizens, secured a charter and a capital stock and began the business, which under his ener- getie and prudent management has since grown to great proportions, its capital having been increased from one hundred thousand dollars to five hundred thousand dollars, and its cash assets to over one million dollars, while it enjoys a national reputation for excellent management and financial success.

Notwithstanding he has been engrossed in the management of a large business in Manchester, he has ever manifested a lively interest in his native town, and when the project for building a railroad which would promote its growth and prosperity took shape, he gave himself heartily to the support of the enterprise, and it was largely through his efforts that the three hundred and fifty thousand dollars neces- sary to build the Suncook Valley road was secured by subscriptions to the capital stock and gratuities from the towns along the line. As one method of helping this work to a successful completion, he estab- lished the Suncook Valley Times at Pittsfield, and for two years contributed regularly to its columns a series of historical and biographical articles which attracted much attention in the locality and were widely copied and read elsewhere. He also at one time published and edited at Manchester a journal devoted to insur- ance interests, and has established a reputation as a vigorous, versatile and popular writer. He is deeply interested in the literature of his native State, and probably no man has so thorough a knowledge of its resources, industries and local history. He is a mem- ber of Trinity Commandery, Knights Templar, and a director in the Merchants' National Bank. He attends the Franklin Street Church. In 1858 he united in marriage with Annie M., daughter of L. B. Philbrick, Esq., of Deerfield, and their family consists of three children,-Lizzie A., Susic P. and George Abram.

Mr. French is a genial companion, a stanch friend and a man who wins and holds the good opinion of his fellow-citizens.

CHARLES E. BALCH.

There is no prouder or more enduring personal record than the story of a self-reliant, manly and successful career. It declares that the individual not only understood his duty and mission, but fulfilled them. The following memoir is highly suggestive of these facts :

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Charles E. Balch was born in Francestown, N. H., March 17, 1834, and here his boyhood days were spent. He was a son of well-to-do parents, and was educated at Francestown Academy, and at the age of eighteen years began his active business career as book- keeper in the mercantile establishment of Barton & Co., in this city. Here he remained about two years, and then accepted a clerkship in the Manchester Savings-Bank. He brought to the discharge of his new duties a peculiar fitness, which soon attracted the atten- tion of the officers of the Manchester Bank, and upon the reorganization of this institution as a national bank, in 1885, Mr. Balch was chosen its cashier, a position which he held until January, 1884. He was also trustee of the Manchester Savings-Bank, the largest in the State ; from 1862 was a member of its invest- ment committee, and treasurer till within a few months before his death. He was treasurer of the Manchester Gas-Light Company, a director and mem- ber of the finance committee of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company, and a trustee of many large estates. And in all the various positions of responsibil- ity and trust which Colonel Balch was called upon to fill, he discharged his duties with eminent ability, and proved himself a most sagacious, careful and safe financier. He was interested in a number of vessels, one of which, a four-masted schooner, the "C. E. Balch," of eight hundred and forty-three tons, was launched at Bath, Me., July 15, 1882. Colonel Balch was thoroughly alive to all interests looking to the welfare of his adopted city, and rejoiced to see it pros- per, always responding to personal calls looking to this end.

Hle did not seek political preferment, but was a stanch supporter of Republican principles. In na- tional, State and municipal affairs he was deeply in- terested and had firm convictions in regard to them. The purity and uprightness of his life were con- spicuous. Not a breath of evil was ever raised against him. His personal bearing to everybody was most cordial. For each of the vast number of persons who were brought into business and social relation with him he had always a pleasant greeting, impressing all with his affability and marked courtesy. The unflagging work which he put into his life's calling enabled him to become one of Manchester's most successful men, acquiring a handsome property. Colonel Balch was a gentleman of refined taste, high ideas of morality, and devoted to his home-life. During 1883 he completed one of the most elegant residences in the city, in a de- lightful location, and having reached that point in his career where he could sensibly lessen his business cares, he was in a position to enjoy the fruits of an honorable and successful life. Although his death had been in a measure expected, it brought a shock to his host of friends in the city and State, who mourned Drath's selection of one of the most prosperous, re- spected and best-known individuals in the prime of manhood. With only one sceret organization was he

connected, the Washington Lodge of Masons. Colonel Balch received his military title by serving two years on the staff of Governor Head. He was an accom- plished equestrian. He was a member of the Frank- lin Street Society and contributed liberally to its advancement.

Mr. Balch's architectural taste, which was some- thing unusual in a person not a professional, is shown in his fitting up of the interior of the Manchester banking-rooms ; his plan for his own residence, which is of classical style of architecture, and during the last year of his life, the building of Cilley Block, one of the finest business blocks on Elm Street, in Man- chester. He was one of the building committee of the Manchester Opera-House.

In July, 1867, he united in marriage with Miss Emeline R., daughter of Rev. Nahum Brooks, who survives him. He died October 18, 1884.

At a meeting of the officers of Manchester Bank, October 20, 1884, the following resolutions were pre- sented by Hon. Daniel Clark, and adopted :

" Resolred, That by the death of Colonel Charles E. Balch we have lost a pleasant associate, a courteous gentleman, a prudent, skilled and efficient officer, an able financier, cautious and considerate in his judg- ment, prompt in action, straightforward and direct in his methods and faithful to his trusts, a man of great moral worth and Christian virtne, free from reproach, quiet in his deportment, gentle and unassuming in his manners and exemplary in all the relations of life ; a citizen of large and healthful influence, respected and beloved.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 33

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