History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 50

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

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201

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The family relations of Dr. Graves have been most felicitous. He married Mary Webster, daughter of Colonel William Boardman, of Nashua, in 1846. She was descended from two of the ablest New Eng- land families,-Webster and Boardman,-and was a most estimable and Christian lady. For many years she was a devoted member of the Unitarian Church and an earnest worker in all good causes. Kind and sympathetic, courteous to all, with a quiet dignity and purity of demeanor, she was a cherished mem- ber of society and an exemplar of the highest type of Christian womanhood. She died December 26, 1883.

" As a man, Dr. Graves is distinguished for his firmness. His opinions he maintains with resolute- ness until good reasons induce him to change them. He means yes when he says 'yes,' and no when he says 'no.' He is a man of positive character. It is needless to say that, while such a man always has enemies (as what man of ability and energetic character has not ?), he has firm and lasting friends,- friends from the fact that they always know where to find him. Among the many self-made men whom New Hampshire has produced, he takes rank among the first, and by his indomitable energy, industry and enterprise has not only made his mark in the world, but has achieved a reputation in his profession and business on which himself and friends may reflect with just pride."

SAMUEL G. DEARBORN, M.D.1

Among the first settlers of Exeter, N. H., nearly two and a half centuries ago, was a family by the name of Dearborn. The descendants of this family are now to be found in every county of New Hampshire, and are numerous in several of them. Beginning at an early date, it is worthy of note that with the Dearborn family in this State the practice of medicine has been a favorite occupation. In the last century Portsmouth, North Hampton, Seabrook and Notting- ham had each a physician of marked reputation bearing the name, and to-day several among the abler physicians of the State are of the same descent.

Samuel Gerrish Dearborn, son of Edmund and Sarah Dearborn, was born in Northfield, this State, Angust 10, 1827. His father was an honest, industrious farmer, and his mother attended well to the duties of the household. He was educated at the district school, the Sanbornton Academy and the New Hamp- shire Conference Seminary.

He began the study of medicine with Dr. Wood- bury, at Sanbornton Bridge, in 1847, and graduated from the Medical Department of Dartmouth College in November, 1849. After a few months' practice at East Tilton, in February, 1850, he opened an office at Mont Vernon, where he began to acquire a repu- tation as a skillful, safe and sagacious physician.

In June, 1853, Dr. Dearborn removed to Milford, where he had already gained some practice. The people of Milford are widely known as an intelligent, discriminating and progressive community. It is no place for a moral or medical quack. For twenty years Dr. Dearborn had an increasing practice, not only in Milford and the adjoining towns, but patients fre- quently came from a distance.

Nashua being a railroad centre, Dr. Dearborn came to this city in May, 1873. His practice for the past eight years has been more extensive than that of any other physician in the State. A large proportion of his patients are from a distance. Grafton, Belknap and Coos Counties each furnish a large number annually, and this has been the result of no adver- tising other than that of his successful treatment.

Of late he has found it advisable to travel for health and relaxation. In 1884 he made, with his family, an extensive trip on the Pacific coast and through the Territories of the Northwest. Early in 1885 he visited Mexico, and made excursions to various points of interest which are now attracting the attention of our people.

During the Rebellion, Dr. Dearborn, in 1861, served one year as surgeon of the Eighth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers in Louisiana, and in the summer of 1863 he served in the same position for three months in the Army of the Potomac.

On the 5th of December, 1853, he married Miss Henrietta M. Starrete, of Mont Vernon, an educated and accomplished woman. They have two sons. The elder, Frank A., was born September 21, 1857, studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, and graduated in 1883. He is associated with his father in practice at Nashua. The younger son, Samuel G., is a wide-awake, healthy school-boy of thirteen years.

In politics Dr. Dearborn is a Republican, and represented Milford two years in the State Legislature. Denominationally, he is associated with the Unitarian Society of Nashua.

HON. CHARLES HOLMAN.

Hon. Charles Holman, son of Porter and Persis (Reed) Holman, was born in Sterling, Mass., No- vember 7, 1833. Ilis parents being in humble circum- stances, Charles early left home to begin the battle of life, and fight his way step by step through the world from poverty to wealth and an honorable position, un- aided by any resource save his own will and hands. When he was eleven years old he went to work on a farm, where he remained until he was sixteen; he then went to West Boylston, Mass., where he was en- gaged in making boots and shoes for four years. From his savings he purchased his time of his father, and attended school at Fort Edward, N. Y., for a year. The sedentary life and cramped position of his em- ployment had seriously impaired his health, and, in hopes of improving it, he became a book canvasser,

1 By John II. Goodale.

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

and in 1856 came for the first time into New Hamp- shire, to sell "The Life of General John C. Fremont," the first Republican candidate for President. He was accompanied by a fellow-workman, William W. Col- burn, afterwards a prominent Methodist clergyman, and at one time chaplain of Charlestown (Mass.) State Prison. (These young men had aided each other in obtaining what education they had acquired, and Mr. Holman subsequently had the pleasure of ena- bling Mr. Colburn to pursue his studies in his chosen profession.) They traveled through New Hampshire for several months, but the pecuniary results of the trip were not encouraging, and Mr. Colburn returned to West Boylston and his trade, while Mr. Holman continued the canvass, determined not to return to the bench. Although it did not prove lucrative as a business, still the canvass was valuable to the young man, giving him a knowledge of human nature and fixing upon his mind so strongly the principles of Republicanism that he has never deviated one iota from the principles and platform of which John C. Fremont was the representative. While canvassing he obtained a chance to travel for E. K. Smith, con- fectioner, of Hanover, and he entered his employ for a year. In the fall of 1857, Mr. Holman, then twenty- four years of age, came to Nashua, and for three years was a traveling salesman for Colonel J. C. Kempton, confectioner. For a year afterwards he was employed in the same capacity by Chapman & Cram. Much of this time his health was so delicate that it was only by the strongest exertion of his will that he kept at his labor, and, at the close of his engagement with the last-named firm he had a severe hemorrhage of the lungs, which for six months entirely incapacitated him for business, About 1861 he engaged as a manufacturer of confectionery in Nashua, and has ever since been identified with the growth and enterprise of the city. His business of five thousand dollars per annum has enlarged to two hundred thousand dollars a year, with forty employés instead of the two who were with him at his commencement. One Friday night, about twelve o'clock, in 1874 or 1875, Mr. Holman's manu- factory was totally destroyed by fire. lle immedi- ately purchased Colonel Kempton's manufactory and two houses on West Pearl Street, had, before seven o'clock the next morning after the fire, ordered needed material, and the last of the succeeding week he sent off' to his customers new goods which he had manu- factured. This prompt action is characteristic of the man and his manner of conducting business. He remained on Pearl Street until June, 1882, when, sell- ing this property, he leased a building on Main Street of Hon. J. A. Spaulding, where he continued manu- facturing until January, 1883, when he was again burned out. He then erected the brick block on Main Street which bears his name, where he now carries on business.

Mr. Hohnan has held numerous positions of public trust, the duties of which have been conscientiously

discharged with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. He was alderman of Nashua two years, member of the School Board two years, was a mem- ber of the Lower House of State Legislature 1869-70, a State Senator 1875-76, and president of the Senate the latter year, mayor of Nashua 1878-79. He is a director of the First National Bank of Nashua, and | one of the directors of the Worcester, Nashua and Rochester Railroad. He was a delegate from New Hampshire to that notable Republican National Con- vention at Chicago, in 1880, which nominated James A. Garfield for President. He is a Congregationalist in religious belief, and president of the Pilgrim Church Society of Nashua. He has been largely identified with temperance work, especially in con- nection with the Nashua Temperance Reform Club. He has taken the thirty-second degree of Masonry, and belongs to the Encampment of Odd-Fellows.

Mr. Holman married, November 1, 1863, Mary S., daughter of George W. and Susan (Marston) Osgood, of Amesbury, Mass. Their only surviving child, Charles Francis, was born September 29, 1866.

In all his business relations Mr. Holman is known as thoroughly prompt and upright, and no man in the city has a more honored reputation. In all his rela- tions, whether business, social or political, he has en- joyed the full confidence of those with whom he has come in contact. Of unusual public spirit, he has always welcomed and given generously to every good cause, and no deserving person ever went away from him empty-handed. His own life having been an unaided struggle against poverty and adverse circum- stances, his sympathies have ever been responsive to the calls of those who, like himself, are bravely fight- ing the battle of life. Mr. Holman possesses the power to keenly analyze any subject coming before him, and to detect any flaws of logic or fact. He can gracefully, as well as forcibly, express himself in writing and speaking, and, with a large fund of humor, is a public speaker of entertaining and con- vincing power. A skillful business man, versed in public affairs, ripe in experience, an ardent Repub- lican, a true friend, and in full sympathy with every movement to elevate and advance the best interests of the community, he is one whom the citizens of Nashua are pleased to number among her honored sons.

NORMAN JOHN MACLEOD MOORE, M.D.

Norman John Macleod Moore, M.D., was a de- scendant of an ancient and honorable family, which for generations has been renowned in the military profession. The family were originally from Dorset - shire, England. They received from Cromwell, for military services, the estate and lands of Saleston, near Carton, Ireland, which remained in the family until a late date. His maternal ancestors were of Scotch origin, his great-grandmother being the only daughter of Norman John Macleod, the celebrated

NORMAN J. M. MOORE.

О. А. Тихая

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NASHUA.

chief of the historical Macleod clan of Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye. This castle is probably the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, and famous in Scotch history. Dr. Moore was born in Aberdeen Scotland. His preparatory education was acquired there, and at a very early age he was graduated with high honors at the celebrated Oxford College. He then studied medicine and surgery at the University of Dublin, Ireland, and of Edinburgh, Scotland, receiving diplomas from the same, and after seven years of study and practice in the hospitals, he was graduated at the Royal College of Surgery, in London, in January, 1842. His superior medical education and especial adaptability for his chosen profession led him to desire a broader field of practice, and he came to this country, and after practicing three years in the Marine Hospital at Chelsea, Mass., he settled in Derry, N. H., where he remained about five years. But his reputation and practice soon extended, and for conve- nience and other considerations he removed to Nashua and for nearly thirty years was a resident of this city.

Unquestionably, Dr. Moore stood at the head of the medical profession in New Hampshire. For more than a quarter of a century he was called in the most difficult and delicate cases of surgery, and he was em- inently successful in restoring to health innumerable patients whose cases were considered incurable, and numbers still bless him for his wonderful cures and remarkable power in diagnosis. His extended educa- tion and admitted skill made him a valuable expert witness, and although his modesty made him shrink from the notoriety, yet he was often called to testify in the more important State cases, and many times in other and remote States.

Dr. Moore was a man of winning manners, attrac- tive social qualities, and as such was a most excellent family physician, and the poor always received equal care with those able to reward him munificently. His nature was large, generous and sympathetic, but with the inherited traits of his Scotch ancestry, he never forgot a favor or an injury. With his enthusiastic love for his chosen field of labor, he was a kind friend and adviser to younger members of the profession, to whom he always gave the assisting hand. Of a most genial and sunny temperament, courtly in his bearing, and yet at all times easily approached and unpreten- tious, even a timid child felt at ease in his company, and soon became his acquaintance and friend. He was amiable and considerate in his home, popular among his acquaintances, a valuable member of his profession and a good citizen, always ready to respond to the demands made upon him. He was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Although a great sufferer for many years from asthma, he never complained or murmured, and attended to his business until too feeble to enter his carriage. He died in Nashua, December 31, 1882, in the last hour of the last day of the closing year, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.

We fittingly close this brief sketch with a copy of the resolutions passed by the physicians of Nashua.

" Whereas, it has pleased the Divine sovereign of the l'niverse to re- move by death, after a protracted and painful illness, which he boro with patient and uncomplaining fortitude, our late professional brother, friend and associate, Norman J. Moore, of this city ; therefore

" Resolved, that while we bow in submission to the will of the Rightfu Dispenser of Events in this sorrowful bereavement, we desire to place ou record our sincere appreciation of the professional qualifications of the deceased, his skill in, zeal and interest for, his chosen profession, and his uniformi courtesy in all our social and professional intercourse.

"Resolved, That in the death of Dr. Moore we aredeeply sensible of our loss of a wise counselor in times of perplexity and doubt, when the lives of those entrusted to our care depended upon an accurate knowledge of the nature of the case and the most judicious and skillful application of the means.

" Resolved, That we tender to the family and friends of the deceased the expression of our sincere and heart-felt sympathy in this sad affliction.

" Resolved, That the members of the profession attend the funeral in a body, and that a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the family of the deceased and also to the local papers for publication."

ORLANDO DANA MURRAY.

Orlando Dana Murray, son of David and Margaret (Forsyth) Murray, was born in Hartland, Vt., March 12, 1818. The first American ancestor of this branch of the Murray family was Isaac Murray, who came from Scotland to Londonderry (now Derry), N. H.

He was married, in 1774, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Durham and granddaughter of Mary (Tol- ford) Durham, sister of Deacon William Tolford. Isaac Murray and wife went to Belfast, Me., where they passed their lives. They had four children, of whom the oldest, David and Jonathan (twins), were born October 30, 1775. David, when a young man, moved to Chester, N. H., where he worked at his trade, that of carpenter and builder, for some years. He belonged to a cavalry troop in the War of 1812, and for his services received a grant of land from the government, and his widow a pen- sion. From Chester he removed to Hartland, Vt., returned to Chester in 1822, and in 1825 settled in Nashua, where he resided for twenty-five years, dying at the age of seventy-five. He was a Wesleyan Meth- odist, and was married three times. He married, December, 1807, his second wife, Margaret Forsyth, of Chester, N. H., daughter of Lieutenant Robert and granddaughter of Deacon Matthew Forsyth. (Deacon Forsyth was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, graduated at the University of Edinburgh, went to Ireland and then emigrated to America, and settled, in 1730, in Chester, N. H. He married Esther, daughter of Robert Graham, and was an enterprising business man, prominent in town and church affairs.) The children of David and Margaret Murray were Emeline Johnson, born at Belfast, Me., October 26, 1808 (mar- ried Deacon William Tenney); Laurana Tolford, born at Belfast, Me., December 31, 1810; Leonidas, born in Chester, N. II., died in Hartland, Vt., June 3, 1816 ; Marietta, born in Hartland, Vt., January 3, 1816 (married Charles C. Flagg, of Mobile, Ala., and died September 11, 1853); and Orlando D.

Orlando Dana was the youngest child. He ac-

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

quired an excellent academic education at the cel- ebrated Pinkerton Academy at Derry, and afterward prepared for college with Colonel Isaac Kinsman, principal of Pembroke Academy, a noted military school of that day. His advantages were diligently improved, and in 1834, at sixteen years of age, instead of going to college, he entered what Horace Greeley called " the best training-school in the world," the printing-office, becoming an apprentice in the office of the Nashua Gazette, then edited by General Israel Hunt, Jr. His earnest application was not confined to the printer's trade, for, during the three years of his apprenticeship and the subsequent four years of life as a journeyman, he was also a clerk in the post-office, then under the administration of John M. Hunt. After his day's work at the case he was occupied in the post-office until nine o'clock, besides assisting in the distribution of the mails during the day. The nature of the young man was not one to rest content in the condition of employé. He was keen, shrewd, energetic and desirous of making an independent career in life, so in 1841 he purchased a half-interest in the Manchester Memorial, a weekly newspaper, and became editor, and also the publisher of a monthly periodical, the Iris. This connection continued only one year, when, in the fall of 1842, he sold his in- terest in Manchester, and, with A. I. Sawtell, estab- lished the Oasis, a weekly independent journal, in Nashua, and became its editor. The first number was issued January 1, 1843. The position was by no means a sinecure. Mr. Murray worked daily at the case, and his editorials were placed in type by himself without being written. The strong, earnest efforts of the young firm were rewarded by substantial results. The Ousis soon attained the largest circulation in this section, and was highly prized. But Mr. Murray had other and valuable ideas. He had no intention of spending his days in a country printing-office when he believed a more lucrative field was before him. He was a natural inventor and machinist; he in- vented some printing-presses and deemed his services could command a higher price. In his brain originated and to him is due the establishment of one of Nashua's most successful manufactures. He sold his interest in the Oasisin September, 18:19, to J. R. Dodge, and became a member of the firm of Gill & Co., which immediately began the manufacture of card-board and glazed paper. This new enterprise not only afforded fine scope for Mr. Murray's mechanical skill, but, like all such ventures, called also for the other necessary elements to success,- patience, pluck and persistency. Mr. Murray and his partners, fortunately, were endowed with a more than ordinary share of these qualities, and finally the busi- ness swung clear of the rocks and breakers and reached the open sea of prosperity. The firm became Gage, Murray & Co. after a time, with Mr. Murray as manager of the manufacturing department. In 1866, Messrs. Gage & Murray solltheir interests to Gilman Brothers. After two years, in February, 1868, Mr. Murray pur-

chased the interest of John F. Marsh in a recently established manufactory, the Nashua Glazed Paper Co. The new firm took the title of Murray, Pierce & Co. This firm did business until the fall of 1869, when it was consolidated with that of Gillman Bros. in the stock company organized as the Nashua Card and GlazedPaper Co. Mr. Murray was elected president of the company on its organization and re-elected annually until 1883, when he retired from business. To Mr. Murray must be given a great share of the credit due for the development and permanency of this business, now one of the institutions of Nashua. He familiarized himself with the chemical qualities of the colors, mixed them with his own hands for years, until he had thoroughly instructed his son, George D., to take his place. He invented the rotary card-cutter, and, by various devices, much improved the modus operandi of the manufacture.

Mr. Murray was one of the original stockholders of the Nashua Watch Co., and a director of the same until the business was purchased by the Waltham Watch Co. and removed from Nashua. (This company took the greatest pains to produce, and undoubtedly did make, the finest watches ever manufactured, and its business was conducted as a separate department at Waltham, "the Nashua department " until No- vember, 1884.) During the larger part of the decade (1870-80) Mr. Murray was one-fourth owner of the Con- toocook Valley Paper Co., a very successful corporation located at West Henniker, N. H. He was a director and president of the board until the company was united with the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper Co., when the stock of the latter was increased to two hundred thousand dollars. He was one of the original incor- porators and a director of the American Fan Com- pany during its existence. He has given his financial aid and counsel to many other undertakings, both railroad and manufacturing, and was one of the prime movers of the Pennichuck Water-Works.

Mr. Murray was by education a Democrat, but soon after became a Whig, and since the Republican party organized has been connected with it. He was elected town clerk in 1849-50-51, and was on the School Board for many years. After the city charter of Nashua was granted, in 1858-59, he was an alderman of Ward Seven. Ereeting his present residence in 1861-62, he became, on occupying it, a resident of Ward Six, which he also represented as alderman in 1865. He was a member of the city Board of Education during the year the schools were graded, and did efficient ser- vice. Ile was elected representative to the State Legislature of 1855, re-elected in 1856 and is the member for 1885-56. Ile has held the commission of justice of the peace for many years. His official positions have come to him without seeking, and have been held as public trusts to be conscientiously discharged.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 50

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