History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 34

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 34

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" Resolved, That while we deplore his death in the prime of his man- hood, when, rich in experience he was becoming even more useful, yet our grief is somewhat moderative, and we are thankful that no shadow rests upon the record of his life, and that the brightness of his example shines up from the 'valley ' of his peaceful rest.

" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to Mrs. Balch as an expression of our appreciation of her husband's character and of our heartfelt sympathy in her bereavement, and that they be entered upon the records of the Manchester Savings Bank, whose treasurer he was."

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. George B. Spalding, D.D., who spoke with great tenderness and fine appreciation, as follows :

" In the stir and noise of our great communities death fails to make its dne impression. Day by day one falls ont of the ranks, and in the swift onward march of the living he seems soon to be forgotten. The surface of the ever-flowing stream is broken only for the moment. The current of human ambitions and strifes, of fierce competition and activi- ties, bears no trace of disturbance as one disappears beneath the waves and is lost to view forever, so intense and hurried and irrepressible is this tide of life which surges as never before in onr cities. And yet, now and then, death comes in such unusual form, or bears away one of such pecu - liar character, or such marked relations to the community, that all hearts are arrested and the sense of loss seems deep and universal. It is so to- day.

"The announcement of the death of Charles E. Balch brought a pro- found hush to this community. llis sickness has been watched with an unusual solicitude. Hopes and fears had attended the varying phases of his disease. Its sudden fatal ending was a shock to very many hearts. The presence here to-day of so great a number and of such varied repre- sentatives of all classes manifests the depth and tenderness of the sor- row which this death has caused. There must have been something in this man, in his nature and his ways with his fellow-men, that accounts for this profound feeling, which, to such an unusual degree has come to this city. Doubtless there is that in the outward history of this man which has strongly moved us. Here was one who, as a young man of eighteen years of age, came into this place, putting his best life into the young, vigorons city, growing up through its successive stages of growth, sharing at last, as the fruits of his kren foresight and splendid industry, in its great prosperity, -and yet in the fulness of his matured strength,

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and in the fulfilled promise of his ardent hopes and careful planning, suddenly taken away from this scene of his labors and successes. The suddenness and completeness of this work of death startles and appalls all hearts. We can scarce withhold our pity as we look upon his signal triumphs, as we look around this home into which he bent his careful thoughts and his refined taste, and think of him as ruthlessly sev- ered by death from it all. Only a Christian faith, only the thoughts of the mansions in the Father's house, can turn our feelings of compassion into better ways.

" But something more than pity for one swept thus suddenly away from his brave activities and keen enjoyments in the very prime of his life must account for this wide and tender interest which his death has awakened. There is a respect, an admiration, a strong affection surging in our hearts, which only certain most noble qualities in Mr. Balch could call ont from ns. He was a man who, through more than thirty years, has been conspicuous in the business life of this community. He carried into all the many activities which had engaged him some quite remarka- ble powers, which were the conditions of his success. He was industri- ous, patient, foreseeing, wise in judgment, swift in execution, tireless in application, faithful in every business service. But, far better than this, to these splendidly-equipped powers he joined a most sagacious and con- scientious regard for true principles which underlie all financial success. He won prosperity for the institutions he served and for himself by a persistent conformance to those ways of doing business which all the ex- perience of the past and the sadder experience of the present show to be alone sound in principle and truly enduring in results. He has been, and will continue to be, a fine example, to the young men of this city, of an honorable, successful man. And in all the prosecution of his business enterprises, and in all the performance of his private and pub- lic trusts, he has always shown himself to be honest and truthful in every respect. No word has ever reached my ear, and I doubt if any other's, which, even out of malice or nncharitableness, could mar the character of this man, as one most just and npright in all his business life. But the circle of business enterprise, however filled by his time and energies, did not completely hold him.

" Mr. Balch was a man of public spirit. Ile was deeply interested in all that pertained to the prosperity and well-being of this city. He re- joiced in its growth and contributed of his refined tastes and his large sagacity to add to its beauty. He was a man of purest moral tone, free from every debasing habit, clean in thought and in speech, far from every low, mean thing. Ile was reverent in spirit, respecling with utmost sincerity the very forms of religion, and sharing, I doubt not, its hidden life. Ile wasretiring in disposition, not seeking office or publicity, loving most his home, and warm and loyal to his chosen friends. Beyond almost any man I have ever known, he was a gentleman, always courteous, always cheerful, always greeting us and everybody else with a smiling face and kind word, that made all the world brighter for having met him. No business care or perplexity, no pain or exhaustion of sickness, seemed to ruffle the serenity or take from him inspiringcheer. The loss of such a man's presence among us is very great. How great it is lo this house- hold, where all the dearest qualities which we have recalled found their fullest expression, no one outside can know. But the loss to this city, in the splendid business capacities and high, noble career and charac- ter which have here closed, is very great. A city's real greatness and finest renown must always be found in its best citizens. Better than its material prosperity and the multiform products of its mightiest industry and the charms of its outward adornment and natural bean- ties are the high-minded and good men and women who are found within it."

JOHN H. MAYNARD.

John H. Maynard, son of Asa and Mary (Linfield) Maynard, was born in Concord, Mass., January 23, 1805. His father moved to London, N. H., when he was but five years of age, and remained here a few years and moved to East Concord.

The subject of this sketch attended the district school in winter and worked at carpentering in sum- mer ; commenced to learn his trade, when eleven years old, with Moses Kimball, of East Concord, with whom he remained five years, or until the death of Mr. Kimball.

He subsequently was in the employ of John Putney, and, still later, of John Leach, of Concord. He remained with Mr. Leach about four years, then started out on his own account, and his career has been a successful one. Hle built Nathaniel Upham's house, now standing north of the State-House, and afterwards built the Baptist meeting-house in New Boston. He returned to Concord and built Call's Block, rear of the State-House. Was in Amoskeag about the year 1832, and built the old tavern which is now a tenement block. He built the Unitarian meeting- house in Concord, and then returned to Amoskeag and erected the first tenement-house at Amoskeag Falls, on the east side of the river. This was built for the workmen who were to build the guard-gate for the Amoskeag Company. From this time Mr. May- nard worked continuously for the Amoskeag Company for thirty years, during which time he did the car- penter-work on No. 3, 4, 5 and 6 Mills and most of the large tenement blocks. Mr. Maynard married, for his first wife, Jane Kimball, of East Concord, N. II., March, 23 1832; they had no children. He lived with her about thirty years. He married for his second wife Apha Kimball, of Hopkinton, N. H., about the year 1871. Mr. Maynard was chief of the old Fire Department, and was connected with it for twenty-five years. He has been alderman and a mem- ber of the City Council, and has also been a representa- tive from Manchester three terms in the Legislature. He was the first assessor in the city of Manchester. Mr. Maynard has resided in Manchester since its in- fancy, and relates that he planted beans and corn in front of where the Stark Block now stands, on Elm Street. He is a director in the Manchester Bank, and has been for thirty-five years. He is in politics a Republican.

Mr. Maynard is a builder and contractor, and is an active business men of to-day, although eighty-one years of age. His father was in the Revolutionary War, and died at the age of ninety-seven years.

HON. JOHN HOSLEY.

John Hosley was born May 12, 1826, at the old Hosley homestead, in Hancock, N. H., and is the son of Samuel and Sophia (Wilson) Hosley, being one of a family of nine, of whom also survive Martha E., wife of George G. Wadsworth, of Chelsea, Mass., and Lucretia J., wife of Oliver Dearborn, of Denver, Col. Mr. Hosley comes from a hardy, thrifty, intelligent ancestry, which traces its lineage back through the centuries to Merrie England, where the family had its origin. His ancestors were numbered among the indomitable Puritans who sought an asylum from persecution in America, and were of such a heroic mould that their descendants were found battling for freedom in the War of the Revolution.

In tracing the genealogy of the family we find that there was a James Hosley born May 1, 1649, married Martha Parker, and died July 9, 1677. He was sur-

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

vived by a son, James, born September 4, 1675, and died February 18, 1728, leaving a son also bearing the name of James, who was born May 19, 1702, and married Ennie Jervett. A son was born to them at Townsend, Mass., January 19, 1734, who was called James, after his father. This son was the great-grand- father of the subject of this sketch, and was a man of conspicuous ability. From the published history of Townsend, Mass., it is learned that he was honored by being elected to all the offices within the gift of his fellow-citizens, including an election to the General Court, but declined the latter distinction. Hle was neither an office-seeker nor a demagogue, but a man whose worth everywhere commanded respect. In 1775 he was moderator at the annual town-meet- ing, town clerk, chairman of the Board of Select- men, and captain of the alarm list, or Minute-Men, who, fifty-three strong, marched to the defense of Cambridge. In 1777 the General Court passed a res- olution calling for volunteers to go to the assistance of General Gates, who was confronting Burgoyne, at Saratoga. The call met with an enthusiastic response, and James Hosley was unanimously elected captain of a company of seventy men, which included within its ranks such military men of ability and notoriety as Colonel William Prescott (the hero of Bunker Hill), Major Henry Wood, Major Samuel Stone and others nearly as well-known. These men would never have been subordinate to any man unless he honored the office to which he had been elevated. After the elose of the Revolutionary War he moved to Hancock, N. H., where he purchased a farm and donated a portion of it to the town for public use. He left a son, Samuel, who was born July 8, 1767, and died December 20, 1826. A merchant and farmer by occupation, he was noted for his piety and benevo- lence, leaving a character worthy of lasting and affec- tionate remembrance. He married Polly Dodge, and the fruit of their union was a son, Samuel, who was born on the old homestead in Hancock, September 28, 1802, and this son was the father of the Hon. John Hosley, whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He obtained an education in the com- mon schools and the academy at Hancock, was a farmer by occupation, and died January 10, 1871, his estimable wife surviving hint but six days. He was an honorable man and an exemplary Christian.

This brings us down to Mr. Hosley of to-day, who was brought up on his father's farm, and gained what education the common schools of Hancock afforded until he was twenty years of age. In 1846 he removed to Manchester, which at that time gave little indication of its coming importance. Mr. Hosley engaged in manufacturing, and was an over- seer in the weaving department of the Amoskeag grocery and real estate business, and in farming, and was successful in all. He seems to have inherited the even judgment and pronounced ability of his an-

cestors, and has been called to many important posi- tions of trust and honor by his fellow-citizens, never failing to receive more than his party's strength at the polls whenever a candidate. He represented his ward in the Legislature, Common Council two years, Board of Aldermen five years, and on the Board of Education for two years. He was city tax collector for two years and has been twice elected mayor, be- sides holding various minor city offices. He was a member of the National Union Convention, which met at Philadelphia in 1865, is a prominent Free- mason, and has held the highest office in Hillsborough Lodge of Odd-Fellows. In religion Mr. Hosley is a Unitarian. He married, in 1854, Miss Dorotha H. Jones, of Weare, N. H., by whom he has had one child, who is married to William M. Parsons, M.D. They have one child, Martha S., born April 30, 1884. It is readily seen that Mr. Hosley is a man of no common abilities, and his performance of the duties of the various offices which he has been called upon to fill has ever been eminently satisfactory. He has grown up with Manchester, as town and city, and has done his full share in moulding its policy in govern- mental affairs.

COLONEL CHANDLER EASTMAN POTTER.1

Colonel Chandler Eastman Potter was a native of East Concord, N. H., born March 7, 1807, son of Joseph and Anna (Drake) Potter. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1831, taught high schools in Concord and Portsmouth several years, read law, and was admitted to the bar and practiced in Con- cord. In 1844 he moved to Manchester, where he owned and edited the Manchester Democrat until the fall of 1848, when he sold the paper. From 1852 to 1856 he was editor of the Monthly Visitor and Gran- ite Farmer. In June, 1848, he was appointed justice of the Manchester Police Court, succeeding Hon. Samuel D. Bell, which office he filled seven years, with honor and credit to himself. He was an able and efficient member of the Historical Society in New Hampshire and other societies, and author of a very elaborate and correct history of Manchester. His ennobling views of man and nature, and of sound, true principles, were always heard with pro- found attention and delight. He had copiousness of ideas, and his writings were always filled with the thoughts of a comprehensive mind, instructing all who read what he wrote with a ready pen. He was interested in the study of the Indian language, and has written many sketches of Indian character, and was a contributor to Schoolcraft's Indian work. "Colonel Potter was probably the best informed man and antiquarian in the State on all topics that re- lated to the early settlement of New Hampshire." humor and anecdote, friendly with all classes. The

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MANCHESTER.

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rich and the poor found in him a true friend in time of need. He was a devoted friend of the militia organizations of the State, and second commander of the Amoskeag Veterans, a company that adopted the uniform of the Continentals. They visited Washing- ton during the administration of President Pierce, commanded by Colonel Potter, who entertained the veterans at his home, the MeNeil (N. H.) mansion and birth-place of Franklin Pierce, in 1865. A grand entertainment was given them in a large tent upon the grounds.

Colonel Potter's last able work, "The Military History of New Hampshire," published in 1866, con- sists of two volumes, from the settlement in 1623 to the close of the War of 1812, with valuable bio- graphical sketches.

Judge Potter married, November 1, 1832, Clara A., daughter of John Underwood, of Portsmouth, by whom he had four children. She died March 19, 1854, and November 11, 1856, he married Frances Maria, daughter of General Johu McNeil, of Hills- borough. After this marriage he resided at the Governor Pierce homestead in Hillsborough during the remainder of his life.

Colonel Potter loved the society of intelligent and worthy people, and welcomed all without distinction. His domestic relations gave a great charm to his ex- istence. He died at Flint, Mich., whither he had gone with his wife on business, August 3, 1868.

WILLIAM MOODY PARSONS, M.D.

An early ancestor of Dr. Parsons was Joseph, who was born in England, married Mary Bliss and came to this country in July, 1626, settling in Northampton, Mass., and died March 26, 1684. Their children were Joseph, Jr., John, Samuel, Ebenezer, Jonathan, David, Mary, Hannah, Abigail and Hester.

Joseph Jr., was born in 1647, married Elizabeth Strong, and died in 1729, Their children were Joseph, John, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, David, Josiah, Daniel, Moses, Abigail and Noah.

Joseph was born in 1671, graduated at Harvard College in 1697, entered the ministry, settled in Leb- anon, Conn., and moved to Salisbury, Mass. He married Elizabeth Thompson, and died in 1739. Their children were Joseph, Samuel, William, Eliza- beth and John, the three elder of whom became clergymen, John died while a sophomore in Har- vard College.

Rev. William was born April 21, 1716, married Sarah Burnham, and moved to Gilmanton, N. H., in 1763, and died January 31, 1796. His wife died Febru- ary 28, 1797. Their children were Sarah, William, Elizabeth, John, Joseph and Ebenezer.

William was born April 1, 1745, married Hannah Meserve, and had William, John, Joseph and Sarah.

Folsom, October 16, 1783, and died May 31, 1838. His wife died March 17, 1828. Their children were William, Judith, John, Sarah, Hannah, Lydie, Eliza and Joseph.

Joseph Parsons, Esq., was born August 29, 1753, married Ruth Pearson, and died August 10, 1806. Their children were Ruth, Joseph, Sarah, Hannah, Thomas and Mary.

Ebenezer Parsons was born January 21, 1756, and married Eunice Potter, November 18, 1784, and had Ebenezer, Eunice, William, Samuel, Sally and Lucy,

Abraham Parsons, son of Abraham, of New Mar- ket, and grandson of Josiah, of Cape Ann, was born November 2, 1754, married Abigail Burleigh, May 30, 1780, and had four children,-Josiah, Sarah, Abra- ham and James.

Josiah Parsons, Esq., was born September 26, 1781; married Judith Badger, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Weeks) Badger. He died December 9, 1842. Their children were Joseph B., Emily P., Sarah B., Mary E., Lewis N., Dr. Joseph Badger, Daniel Jacobs, Esq., Sarah Jane Rogers, William Moody and Han- nah Cogswell.

Among the ancestors of Dr. Parsons were those who were very prominent in the religious, educational, military and civil history of the town wherein they lived ; notably is this true of Rev. William Parsons, son of Rev. Joseph Parsons, both of whom were graduates of Harvard College.

Rev. William became one of the proprietors of Gilmanton, and was employed by the corporation to preach to the settlers, which he did for ten years. He was also the first schoolmaster in the town, and con- tinued his teaching even after he had closed his ministry. He was a very useful citizen, an exem- plary minister of the gospel and did much to give a right direction to the early movements in regard to religious institutions in the town.

The mother of Dr. William M. Parsons was Judith Badger, a superior woman, and a descendant of that family so illustrious in the early history of New Hampshire, of whom were General Joseph Badger, of Revolutionary fame ; his son, Hon. Joseph Badger; and his grandson, Hon. William Badger, ex-Governor of New Hampshire. Of the brothers of Dr. Parsons, Dr. Joseph Badger became a successful physician and Daniel J., who read law in the office of Hon. Ira A. Eastman, is a successful practitioner. Each of the children of this family, except the youngest, Hannah C., were noted teachers in their time, and two of the daughters became the wives of clergymen.

Dr. William Moody Parsons was born in Gilman- ton December 30, 1826; his boyhood was passed with his brothers and sisters at the old home. His educa tional advantages were those of the district schools of the time, supplemented by a classical course at the celebrated Gilmanton Academy. At the close of the academic course, having a taste for the study of

John was born November 10, 1751, married Lydie | medicine, he commenced under the tuition of Dr.

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Nahum Wight, a celebrated practitioner of Gilman- ton, where he remained three years, during which time Dr. Parsons attended a course of lectures at the Dartmouth Medical College, and then went into the office with his brother, Dr. Joseph B., at Ben- nington, N. H., where he commenced the practice of his profession, remaining about one year ; he then at- tended his final course of lectures at the Vermont Medical College, where he graduated in June, 1851, and returned to Bennington, practicing in company with brother until 1855, when his brother sold his interest to Dr. William M., and moved to Haverhill, Mass.

Dr. Parsons, with a large practice, desiring a more favorable location, moved to Antrim, N. H., and there, for a period of fifteen years, attended faithfully to the increasing demands made upon him until 1870, when he returned to Bennington. The practice of Dr. Parsons had become so extensive and the rides so long and laborious that he found it necessary in the interest of his health to make some change, that his duties might not be so exacting, and to this end, in April, 1873, he moved to Manchester, N. H., where he at once established himself in his profession, and where he has since resided.

During his long practice in the country Dr. Par- sons had many calls for consultation with his brother physicians in the adjoining towns, which, together with his own practice, made the change to an easier field imperative. As a surgeon, Dr. Parsons early took prominent place, and he has performed in these years many capital operations with notable success.

In 1861, Dr. Parsons was appointed by the Gov- ernor as chairman of a commission for the extirpa- tion of pleuro-pneumonia among cattle, which was prevalent at that time, which disease was thoroughly eradieated in a comparatively short time, and with small expense to the State in comparison with that

of some neighboring States in which this disease prevailed.

In 1883, Dr. Parsons was commissioned assistant surgeon First Regiment New Hampshire National Guard, and in 1884 was promoted to the office of surgeon of the same regiment, with rank of major.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 34

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