History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 53

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

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services," and granted lands to secure his permanent residence. Nathaniel soon followed him to Chelms- ford, settling near his brother. He had children, among them Nathaniel and Jacob. The line from Jacob to Silas is difficult to trace; we can go back a few generations, but from the first settlers in 1656 down to seven successive generations is attended with great difficulty, and from the incompleteness of old records, at times impossible ; but Benjamin, of Chehans- ford, Mass., from our searches, is probably the father of Silas. There is no record of Silas' birth in Chelms- ford ; but as he married Sybil, daughter of Captain Wm. Reed, of Westford, and the towns lie side by side, Westford was probably his native place. The Howards were conspicuous for many years in the early days of Chelmsford, and held important offices, and several of the name are now resident there.

Silas was a farmer and patriot, and when the clouds of war threatened the colonies, and the demand was for brave men, he responded to the call, and was among the "embattled farmers of the Revolution." Ile removed from Massachusetts to Lyndeborough, N. II. He had ten children, -Silas, Samuel, Joseph, Jacob, John, Benjamin, Martha, Abigail, Rachel and Sybil. Silas settled in Hebron, N. Y., Samuel in Lyndebor- ough, Joseph in Wilton, Jacob in Milford. Samuel, John and Benjamin were gallant soldiers in the War of 1812, John and Benjamin dying in service. Martha married a Hutchinson, of Milford; Abigail married a Mr. Blanchard, resided in Albany, N. Y .; Rachel married, first, Mr. Emerson, second, Mr. Dodge, lived in Mont Vernon, N. H. ; Sybil died young.

Joseph Howard was born June 19, 1792. He mar- ried Phebe, daughter of William Pettengill, of Milton. (Mr. Pettengill was a soldier of the Revolutionary army.) Mrs. Howard was born April 26, 1796. The children of Joseph Howard were Ezra P., John S. G. (born July 9, 1821), Joseph A. (born October 16, 1823, died June 6, 1876), Adeline P. (born May 27, 1834) and Hannah G. (born June 14, 1836). Mr. Howard died September 13, 1839. Adeline and Hannah are children of a second wife, Abiah Parker.

Ezra Pettengill Howard was born July 2, 1818, in Wilton. When he was a mere lad, between the ages of nine and eleven, he drove a team between Wilton and Nashua. About this time his mother died, and he went to Temple, N. H., where he remained until he was eighteen, passing the years on a farm. He then bought his time of his father for fifty dollars, and apprenticed himself to a carpenter for three years, receiving thirty dollars for the first year, forty dol- lars for the second and twenty dollars per month for the third summer, with the stipulation that he should clothe himself ont of his wages. He afterwards worked at his trade in Lowell and Cambridge, Mass .; then, his father being ill, he went to Wilton, and re- mained with him until his death, which soon after occurred. Washington, Sullivan County, was his next

The first American ancestor of this line was doubt- less Nathaniel Howard, who emigrated from Suffolk, England, to Dorchester, Mass., in 1641, and was made a freeman in 1643. The name is variously spelled in old records, Howard, Hayward, Haward, Heywood, etc. Two of Nathaniel's sons went to Charlestown. Wil- liam was a weaver, born in England, and at the May meeting, 1656, of the proprietors of Chelmsford he was admitted as an inhabitant, "the people needing his . residence for a year and a half; then he went to

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Rochester, N. Y., and worked on the large flouring- mills; returned to Temple in 1842, and for a short time was employed on the Congregational Church ; then he removed to Washington, and, in connection with his carpentering business, he made card-boards for manu- facturers. He was diligent and prudent, and from hard-earned savings was able to erect a set of build- ings. January 24, 1844, he married Mary Trow, daughter of Levi and Betsy (Averill) Trow. She was born at Mont Vernon, July 22, 1818. Their children were Joseph W. and Mary H. (born November 22, 1844) and Martha J. (born January 29, 1847). Mary II. married, January 1, 1863, Charles H. French ; she died August 30, 1869, leaving one daughter, Mary H. Martha J. resides with her parents.

In 1846, Mr. Howard, with his brother, Joseph A., purchased the business of manufacturing card-boards, . He is serving the third term on the School Board. which they carried on successfully for five years, when Joseph retired, and Mr. Howard continued the bus- iness until 1869 (with the exception of two years and a half). At this time Mr. Howard, with the keen foresight and good judgment which have largely con- REUBEN GODFREY. tributed to his financial success, saw the future possi- bilities and capabilities of the business, and enlarged

his facilities to meet the demand, and controlled the ; September 2, 1816. He was a descendant of an early

manufacturing, and after a while was for some years the sole manufacturer in the United States. The business was prosperous. In 1869, Mr. Howard moved to Nashua, where he has since resided. He purchased a half-interest in the flour and grain business of Mc. Questen & Co., and is still connected with the firm.

Mr. Howard was formerly a Free-Soil Democrat, but has affiliated with the Republican party since 1856, and as a member of that party represented Washington in the State Legislature of 1867-68, serving both terms on committees of railroads. This town being largely Democratic, his election showed a very great personal popularity and also great confi- dence in his ability. During his residence in Nashua (1871) he has been a member of the Common Council of the city, serving on several important committees. He has never aspired to positions of responsibility, but, when placed in them, has discharged their duties fearlessly, faithfully and conscientiously. Loyal to the core, he took an active part in securing substitutes to fill the quota of Washington in our great Civil War, and in erecting the soldiers' monument. Com- pelled to battle with life at an age when one most needs the care of a mother and home comforts, Mr. Howard's course has been steadily upward, and by his own unaided exertions he has won wealth and honor- able position in society and the esteem of a large circle of friends.

Joseph Woodbury Howard, son of Ezra P. and Mary (Trow) Howard, came to Nashua in 1868, and engaged in the furniture trade with E. P. Brown. His father afterward purchased the interest of Mr. Brown, and organized the firm of Howard & Copp, which, after five years' time, was changed to Howard & Co. In

1880, E. P. Howard sold his interest to his son-in-law, Charles H. French, who, with Joseph W. Howard, now constitutes the firm of Howard & Co. They com- menced the manufacture of furniture in 1880, erect- ing the factory the same year. The business has in- creased rapidly. With characteristic New England enterprise, they have developed the small and uncer- tain commencement into a large and flourishing estab- lishment, doing a large wholesale and retail business. J. W. Howard is a young man of energetic business qualities and genial social disposition, which have made him well and most favorably known in this community and financial quarters. He has been councilman and alderman of Nashua. N. H., and he received the unanimous nomination, in 1882, of the Republican party for the mayoralty, but declined.

He married, August 27, 1868, Nancy J. Hasselton, of Wilton. They have three children, - Charles W., Frank B. and Mary H.

Reuben Godfrey, son of Joseph and Sarah (Dear- born) Godfrey, was born at South Hampton, N. H.,

New England family of good repute in colonial days, as well as in later years. He was fifth in a family of six children, and early in life learned how to labor. When about fifteen he went to Meredith, where his stay was short, for, about the same age, he made his advent in Nashua, a runaway lad, his personal effects in a small bundle in his hand, and his entire cash capi- tal comprising seventy-five cents. This was Reuben Godfrey as he appeared one day to his sister, Mrs. Fisk, after a walk from Sanbornton. The young wanderer was kindly received; Captain Daniel Fisk, his brother-in-law, furnished him employment on his farm, and, after a time, he added to the little stock of school knowledge already possessed by attending the public schools. He soon was engaged in driving a milk-cart, and in a short time became the owner of the business. This was in 1836, when he was only twenty years old. From this period until his death, February 27, 1880, Mr. Godfrey was an active partici- pant in the business enterprises of Nashua, an ener- getic, successful worker in various spheres, and a pros- perous, public-spirited citizen. He engaged in the livery business, and had several teams employed in teaming, yet gave his most especial attention to quar- rying stone and stone masonry, taking many contracts for various kinds of stone-work. This arduous labor he followed until 1854, with very substantial financial success. He then purchased a farm a short distance below Nashua, where he resided five years, carrying on with his farm an extensive lumbering business, a member of the firm of Wright, Roby & Co. His con- nection with this company lasted several years, and he was in this field handsomely rewarded for his labors, shrewdness and ability. Of an active tempera-

Reuben Godfrey

E Whitford

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NASHUA.

ment and not at all disposed to idleness, he next engaged in the ice business in Nashua, and also in other branches of commercial activity, These he carried on in the same skillful manner until 1870, when he retired from active labor and connection with business with a competency.

He married, December 3, 1846, Mary A., daughter of Benjamin A. and Sarah W. (Gilson) Davis. They had three children, -Ellen E. (died young), Mary Frances and Charles J. (deceased).

In early life Mr. Godfrey was an Old-Line Whig of the stanchest order. After the death of that party he did not take the same active interest in politics which characterized his previous days, but in a quiet way supported the Republican party by his vote and otherwise. In the various official relations the suf- frages of the people entrusted to him he was ever the faithful, honest public officer, performing his duties with the integrity and accuracy manifested in his private affairs. He served the city many years as assessor and tax collector with great efficiency. He was a member of the Board of Health and for a long period an overseer of the poor, for which position he was especially qualified. He was a strong, positive man, to whom action was a necessity of life. Of cheerful and brisk nature, he easily won and retained friends and was popular. He was very liberal both to the church and to the poor, particularly remem- bering the latter with seasonable gifts at Thanks- giving, Christmas and like occasions. His judgment of men and things was of more than ordinary power, and his services were in great demand as appraiser, in settling estates and as guardian for minors, etc. During the last years of his life he was in charge of the estate of Colonel L. G. Noyes. Congregational in religious belief, he was a regular attendant and supporter of the Pearl Street Church.

ELLIOT WHITFORD AND JAMES H. HALL.

Elliot Whitford, son of William and Lucy (Dale) Whitford, was born in Hillsborough, N. H., October 11, 1809. His father, born in Salem, Mass., Angust 19, 1773, was in youth a shoemaker, who, after his marriage, October 28, 1798, to Lucy Dale (who was born in Beverly, Mass., March 20, 1778), settled in Hillsborough, N. H., where he purchased a farm, lived many years and died January 30, 1838. His wife survived him, dying May 17, 1855. Elliot had only the meagre school education conferred by the common schools of his boyhood, but he acquired sufficient knowledge to lay the foundation of a good practical business education by dint of perseverance and the force of circumstances. He left home when seventeen years old and worked at farming in Massa- chusetts during the summer, attending school in the winter. He worked for his father until he was twenty years of age, then started in life for himself, and for eight years became a farm laborer, working by the month. He was now in a good school for the acqui-

sition of the practicality, ingenuity, diligence and economy which have served to build up the comfort- able home wherein he is passing his retired life. Mr. Whitford came to Nashua in 1838, and, in company with his brother, George D., purchased the farm of two hundred acres which is now his residence. This being distant from the highway, they petitioned the selectmen for a road; but the petition not being granted, they appealed to the county commissioners, and the road was laid out. Mr. Whitford and his brother repaired the house, built the barn, bought a milk route, and, up the present time, the farm has been kept as a milk farm. The land at that time was in a low state of cultivation, yielding only twelve tons of English hay, but by good culture was made to pro- duce as high as eighty tons.

Mr. Whitford and his brother were together for ten years. He then purchased his brother's interest, and bought a market and was in the butchering business for a number of years. Active and energetic, in con- nection with his other pursuits, he became quite an extensive dealer in agricultural implements, and when the mowing-machines were introduced, he was ap- pointed agent, and increased the first year's sales of two or three to fifty in one year. Having a water privilege on his land, Mr. Whitford determined to utilize it, and finding the estimated cost of a wooden dam to be two thousand dollars, he, with his charac- teristic preference for solidity, began, in August, 1873, the building of a cemented stone dam, which, when completed, was one hundred and forty feet in length, twenty-four feet thick and from five to twenty-seven feet in height. Here he erected a saw and grist-mill, putting in also stave and kit-machines, cutting-off saw and an edger. This mill has been in operation con- tinuously since, except in time of low water. Mr. Whitford has taken hold of local improvements and public matters with the same energy and enterprise shown in his private affairs. Whig and Republican in politics, he has filled various official positions with acceptance. He was selectman for many years, elected the first time in 1841, the third year of his residence, and held that office when the town was divided, the town-house built and when the towns were united in the city of Nashua. He has been assessor, street commis- sioner, alderman and was a representative for Nashua in the State Legislature. Although strong and robust, of late years he has been debarred from the activities of life by an affection of the eyes, which has deprived him of sight. He has been an active member of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was a charter mem- ber of Nashua Grange, No. 13, and presiding officer of the same for two years. He is a Congregationalist in religious belief and a member of Pilgrim Church.

Mr. Whitford married, November 26, 1840, Eliza- beth, daughter of Abel and Hannah F. (Hunniwell) Bowman. Their children were Alfred J. (deceased), Josephine E. (deceased), Frederick E. (deceased) ; Frederick left one child, (Lizzie Maria) and Ann,

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Maria K. She married James 11. Hall, and has had four children,-Susibell W., Webb E., James E. and Annie May (died, aged six months).

James Horace Hall, son of Joshua Hall, Jr., and Sarah F. Whitney, his wife, was born in Pepperell, Mass,, November 20, 1842. His father died when James was about two years of age, and when but six years old he was "put out" among strangers, and from that time has made his own way in life. When eighteen he moved to North Chelmsford, Mass., to learn the machinist's trade, where, at the commence- ment of the great Civil War, he was engaged. He then enlisted in Company F, Third Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, and was with his regiment in three long years of active service and numerous bloody engagements. He participated in those of ' his age. This man, with seven more that lies in this grave, was slew all in a day by the Indians." Some time during this year William, brother of Thomas, was taken prisoner by the Indians, carried into cap- tivity, where he suffered great hardships, and was obliged to pay a large price for his ransom. Thus, the Lund family have been important factors, as well as actors, in the early days of Nashua. Thomas had children,-Thomas (1712), Elizabeth (1715), William (1717), Ephraim (1720) and Phinehas (1723).

Hilton Head, Drury's Bluff, Morris Island, siege and taking of Fort Wagner, Fort Fisher and Wilmington, siege of Petersburg, some of these being among the most sharply-contested battles of the war, with great losses, yet, singularly enough, neither Mr. Hall nor his brother, Charles T., who served with him and was his tent-mate, ever received a wound, although their clothes were often eut with bullets. Mr. Hall was in Wilmington, N. C., when the news came of Lee's sur- render and the consequent near return of peace. He was mustered out of the United States service in June, 1865, accompanied his regiment to New Hamp- shire, and in the following August was discharged honorably from the State service at Concord.

Returning to Chelmsford and finishing his trade, Mr. Hall was employed until 1868 as machinist at Worcester and Providence. He then removed to Milford, N. H., and for a time carried on a machine- shop. Coming then to Nashua, which has since been his home, he was for ten years an employé of the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper Company. He married Anna M. Whitford, January 18, 1876, and became a farmer on Mr. Whitford's place in 1881. IIe is a member of the Baptist Church of Hudson ; is Republi- can in politics; has been a Freemason since 1866, is a Sir Knight, and has taken the thirty-second degree; an Odd-Fellow since 1868, belongs to the Encamp- ment. He is a steady, industrious citizen,-one who has proven the highest title to that name by his active service for three long years in his country's defense.

CHARLES LUND.

Among the old families and of those who did good service in the early days of Old Dunstable, in defending her against the Indians, should be mentioned the Lund family. The first emigrant bearing the name was Thomas Lund, merchant, who came from London, England, in 16-16, to Boston, with power from certain citizens in London to collect debts. One of the first settlers of Dunstable was Thomas Lund, born about 1660, probably a son of the Thomas above mentioned. His children were

Thomas (1682), Elizabeth (1684) and William (1686). He was a selectman and a worthy citizen. Thomas3 was a soldier ; served under command of Lieutenant Jabez Fairbanks, of Groton, on garrison duty. On the evening of September 4, 1724, a party of about seventy French Mohawks made an attack on Dun- stable and took two men prisoners; the next morning Lieutenant French, with fourteen men, among them Thomas Lund, went in pursuit ; but he, with half his men, were killed. The bodies were found and were buried in one grave. The place of their interment was the ancient burial-ground near the State line. The inscription was as follows: "Memento Mori, Here lies the body of Mr. Thomas Lund, who de- parted this life September 5, 1724, in the 42d year of

Thomas (1712) was a deacon in the church, married Mary -, and died February 4, 1790. . Thomas, son of Deacon Thomas and Mary Lund, was born in Nashua March 12, 1739. From the time he was seven years old he supported himself. He became a farmer ; but, having also a natural aptitude for me- chanics, he made carts and wagons, and the house where his grandson, Charles, now resides was mostly built by his own hands. He was an industrious, energetic worker, and from his savings was enabled to buy the farm, where he resided many years. He married Sarah Whitney. Their children were Han- nah, John, Thomas, Isaac, Oliver, Sarah, Huldah and Noah. Mr. Lund died at the age of eighty.

Oliver, son of Thomas and Sarah (Whitney) Lund, was born April 8, 1779; married, April 17, 1814, Orpah, daughter of William Danforth. She was born January 2, 1788. Their children attaining ma- turity were George (deceased), Orpah (deceased), Laura (Mrs. John A. Foster), Charles, Sabra (Mrs. E. P. Parker) and Handel (deceased).

Oliver passed his early life on the farm, and after- wards, for several years, was captain of the packet- boat running on Middlesex Canal from Boston to Middlesex. He was an active man, held various town offices, was a member of the First Congrega- tionalist Church of Nashua, and a good type and worthy descendant of the pioneers of Nashua. He died December 21, 1866. His wife survived him, dying in March, 1867.

Charles Lund, son of Oliver and Orpah (Danforth) Lund, was born November 8, 1821; married, May 8, 1846, Eliza, daughter of Samuel G. and Betsey (Davis) Stevens. (Mr. Stevens was a son of David

Charles

Luna

Stillman Swallow

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NASHUA.

Stevens, a resident of Bedford, N. H., and was born in 1797 ; was a carpenter. He came from Goffstown to Nashua, and resided there forty years ; he then removed to Weare and afterwards to Derry, where he now lives, aged eighty-seven years. He assisted in the erection of the first buildings of the Nashua Manu- facturing Company.) The children of Charles and Eliza (Stevens) Lund are Eliza Ann (married Joshua W. Hunt, and has three children,-Alma F., Wil- liam E. and Charles L.), Charles H. (a dealer.in milk), Alma L. and Marcus O. The last three reside with their parents. Mr. Lund's early education was that of the district schools. He became a farmer and remained at home, and after his father gave up active life he took care of his parents until their deaths, and resides on the ancestral farm, which he in- herited. Ile is a Congregationalist in religious be- lief, a Republican in politics, and was for two years a member of Nashua City Council. He is quiet and unostentatious, has never sought office, but has closely attended to his business. Plain and simple in his habits, social, amiable and pleasing in his ways, he is a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and a useful member of society, a careful, painstaking, industrious man, successful in his busi- ness, and possesses a good knowledge of agriculture. He is interested in the object and mission of the Patrons of Husbandry, and at this writing is treasurer of Nashua Grange.

STILLMAN SWALLOW.

A century and more ago there lived in the old town of Dunstable, Middlesex County, Mass., a pious, just and honorable man, Peter Swallow by name. He was a farmer, and the land he tilled was his by inheritance and acquisition, much of which had been in the Swallow family since the time when the white man first planted the foot of civilization upon it. Peter Swallow married Sibbil -- , and they had six sons and two daughters, - Nahum, Larnard, James, Moody, Abijah, Archelaus, Prudence and Lucy. As his will was made in May, 1812, and presented for probate in May, 1813, his death must have occurred between those dates. His son Arche- laus inherited the old homestead and followed the calling of his father. He married Susanna Kendall, and they had six children, all of whom attained maturity. Archelaus was a man slow of speech, patient and persevering in his daily toil, and also possessed a large amount of good, practical common- sense. He was one of the first workers in the temperance cause, and with his energy, combined with good judgment, he was enabled to accomplish much. In his religious convictions he was a Congregationalist, and a liberal supporter of the interests of that denomi- nation. Politically he was a Whig. He died about 1855, aged seventy-two.

Stillman Swallow, second child of Archelaus and Susanna (Kendall) Swallow, was born on the old

Swallow place in Dunstable, September 19, 1816. He passed the early part of his life upon his father's farm, sharing its toils and availing himself of such educa- tional advantages as the district school afforded. When about nineteen years of age he left his home and came to Nashua, and hired out as a farm-hand to Mrs. Fisk, a widow, whom he married the next year, March 6, 1837.

The children of Stillman and Nancy (Roby) Fisk Swallow are Mary F. (married Phineas P. Mitchell ; they have had ten children, of whom eight are now living,-Josephine R. (now Mrs. F. E. Wills), Katic A., Lucy C., Fannie P., Harry S., Howard W., Emily G., Carrie B.), Clarence H. (deceased ; married Mary H. Barr; children,-James C., Geo. W. and Willie C.), James R., Anna A., and Louis M. (married Amanda A. Smith, and has Lucy E., Frank H. and Fred. W.).

Mrs. Swallow is a woman of great strength of character, and her husband has ever found her help- ful, sympathetic and encouraging in his life's work. She was the daughter of James and Lucy (Cutter) Roby, of Amherst, N. H., thus descending from two old and reputable families of New England. Her first husband, Ralph Fisk, was a merchant of Boston and Providence. His health failing, he came to the home of his father, Nathan Fisk, in Nashua (who lived where Mr. Elliot Whitford now resides, and owned nine hundred acres of land), where he died. The children of Ralph and Nancy (Roby) Fisk were William F. (deceased), Anna A. (deceased), Lucy W. (married Alonzo Fisk, and has one child, Charles S.), Emily (married Rev. Geo. P. Wilson, for many years city missionary of Lawrence, Mass., and has three children,-Geo. H., who is one of the oldest employés in the custom-house, Boston ; Francis A., with Perry Mason & Co., Boston ; and Anna F.).

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 53

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