History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 23

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 23
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 23

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Officers, 1885: B. A. Kimball, president; Joseph B. Walker, vice-president; James Minot, cashier. Directors : B. A. Kimball, Joseph B. Walker, Josiah Minot, Charles H. Amsden, Edward H. Rollins, John Kimball, John M. Hill.

National State Capital Bank was originally or- ganized as State Capital Bank January 26, 1853. The first directors were Samuel Butterfield, Abram Bean, R. N. Corning, Hall Roberts, Ebenezer Symmes, Asa Fowler, Enos Blake. Hon. Samuel Butterfield, president; Edson Hill, cashier. Capital stock, $100,- 000; increased to $150,000 August 28, 1854.

Presidents .- Samuel Butterfield, to 1860; Hall Rob- erts, from 1860 to 1862; John V. Barron, from 1862 to 1865. 1878

Cashiers .- Edson Hill, to 1858; Jonas D. Sleeper, from 1858 to 1859; P. S. Smith, from 1859 to 1865.

Jannary 1, 1862, the capital stock was reduced to $120,000; January 1, 1863, to $100,000.

The bank was reorganized as National State Capi- tal Bank January 2, 1865, with the following direc- tors : John V. Barron, Robert N. Corning, James Peverly, Jonas D. Sleeper and James S. Norris. President, John V. Barron; Cashier, Preston S. Smith. Capital stock, $100,000; increased to $150,- 000 April 17, 1865; to $200,000 May 31, 1872, by purchase of bonds and right of circulation of Carroll County National Bank, at Sandwich, N. H.

John V. Barron, president to 1878; Lewis Down- ing, Jr., from 1878 to present time.

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

P. S. Smith, cashier to 1872; Henry J. Crippen, from 1872 to 1882; Josiah E. Fernald, from 1882 to present time.

The present directors are as follows: Lewis Dow- ning, Jr., James S. Norris, Lyman D. Stevens, J. Everett Sargent, John H. Pearson, John Jones, Henry J. Crippen.

The First National Bank of Concord was or- ganized in March, 1864, with Asa Fowler, Enos Blake, Edw. H. Rollins, William Walker, Benning W. Sanborn, George A. Pillsbury and Moses Hum- phrey as directors.

The first president was Asa Fowler, who continued in office until 1867, when George A. Pillsbury was elected as his successor.

In March, 1878, Mr. Pillsbury being about to leave the State for a permanent residence at the West, resigned his office and A. C. Pierce was elected to fill the vacancy, which position he occupied until Decem- ber, 1882, when, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, he resigned, and William M. Chase was elected and held the office until January, 1885, when William F. Thayer was chosen his successor.

Woodbridge Odlin, the first cashier, held his posi- tion but one month when he resigned to accept the appointment of assessor of internal revenue. William W. Storrs was elected to the office, and filled the position until January, 1874, when he was succeeded by William F. Thayer.

The present board of directors are Thomas Stuart, William M. Chase, Solon A. Carter, Charles H. Roberts, William F. Thayer, William P. Fiske and E. H. Woodman.

The bank has a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and a surplus of nearly the same amount after having paid dividends of over three hundred and twenty thousand dollars. The report of the comptrollor of the currency shows this bank to have the highest per cent. surplus of any bank in the State.

WILLIAM F. THAYER, one of the leading financiers of New Hampshire, was born in Kingston, N. H., March 13, 1846. His grandfather, the Rev. Elihu Thayer, D.D., was pastor of the church in Kingston for a period of more than thirty years, and was a leading and influential citizen of that portion of Rockingham County. The parents of William F., Calvin and Sarah Wheeler (Fiske) Thayer, removed to Meridan, N. H., in about 1855. William F. re- ceived his education at Kimball Union Academy, and in 1865 came to Concord and accepted a position as clerk in the post-office, Robert N. Corning being at that time postmaster. He soon became chief clerk, and remained in that position four years. He then spent a few months in the West, and upon his return to Concord entered the counting-room of the Elwell Furniture Company, where he continued about eight months. He then became a clerk in the First National Bank in this city, and his strict integrity,

conservatism and financial ability won for him rapid promotion in this institution. He was appointed assistant cashier in 1873, and cashier in 1874. He remained in this position until January, 1885, when he was chosen president.

Mr. Thayer is clerk and director in the Contoocook Valley Paper Company ; director, clerk and treasurer of the Concord Cattle Company; director in the Lombard Investment Company ; treasurer of the city of Concord since 1879; and treasurer of the Concord Shoe-Factory and of the Hospital Association. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the South Congregational Church. Mr. Thayer is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Blazing Star Lodge and Mount Horeb Commandery.

October 20, 1874, Mr. Thayer united in marriage with Sarah Clarke Wentworth, daughter of Colonel Joseph Wentworth, brother of Hon. John Wentworth of Chicago, and their family consists of two children, -Margaret and William Wentworth.

Mr. Thayer's career as an officer and manager of the leading discount bank in the city and State (the First National) has been remarkable and highly cred- itable to his ability as a financier. Entering the in- stitution in 1871, in the subordinate position of clerk, his faithful and efficient service led to his promotion to assistant cashier, in 1873, and to the responsible position of cashier the following year.

His industry, good judgment and pleasing address won for him the favor of his employers and the patrons of the bank, and under his management, as its execu- tive officer, the institution soon attained a leading position among the national banks of the State.

After ten years' service as cashier he was, in Janu- ary, 1885, elected to the presidency of the bank, in recognition of his great ability and eminent fitness for the position.

There is probably no other instance in the history of similar institutions in New Hampshire where so young a man as is Mr. Thayer has won such a position as he occupies at present, solely upon his merits, which are universally acknowledged by his associates and the community where he has made his reputation.

The New Hampshire Savings-Bank was organ- ized in July, 1830, the incorporators being Samuel Green, Timothy Chandler, Joseph Low, Nathan Bal- lard, Jr., Samuel Morrill, Nathaniel Abbott, William Low, Jonathan Eastman, Jr., Nathaniel Bouton, Moses G. Thomas and David L. Morril.

At a meeting held the 21st day of July, 1830, the bank organized with Hon. Samuel Green as presi- dent, and Samuel Morrill clerk, with a board of eighteen trustees, viz .: Timothy Chandler, Nathan Ballard, Jr., Samuel Fletcher, Francis N. Fisk, Samuel A. Kimball, Jonathan Eastman, Jr., Nath- aniel G. Upham, Isaac Hill, Richard Bradley, Wil- liam Low, Robert Ambrose, Ezekiel Morrill, Hall Burgin, William Gault, Stephen Brown, David George, William Kent and Richard Bartlett.

hays

CONCORD.

The bank has had six presidents-Samuel Green, Joseph Low, Francis N. Fisk, Samuel Coffin, Joseph B. Walker and Samuel S. Kimball-and four treasu- rers,-Samuel Morrill, James Moulton, Jr., Charles W. Sargent and William P. Fiske.

The present organization is as follows: President, Samuel S. Kimball; Treasurer, William P. Fiske; Trustees : Samuel S. Kimball, Joseph B. Walker, Jesse P. Bancroft, Francis A. Fiske, Seth Eastman, Enoch Gerrish, Sylvester Dana, Moses H. Bradley, John Abbott, John H. George, Mark R. Holt, Charles T. Page, John H. Stewart, George H. Marston, Par- sons B. Cogswell, Oliver Pillsbury, William G. Car- ter, John C. Thorn.

The deposits of the bank amount to $2,350,000, with six thousand one hundred and twenty depositors; a guaranty fund of $125,000, and an undivided surplus of $118,000. The bank has paid its depositors, during the fifty-five years of its existence, $1,343,095.30 in dividends, and $156,321.32 in extra dividends, the rate of interest being at four and five per centum per annum during this period.

The Merrimack County Savings-Bank was in- corporated July 2, 1867, and organized May 3, 1870. The first officers were as follows: President, Lyman D. Stevens; Vice-President, David A. Warde; Sec- retary and Treasurer, John Kimball ; Trustees: John M. Hill, Abel B. Holt, Woodbridge Odlin, George A. Cummings, Calvin Howe, Moses T. Willard, E. W. Woodward, William M. Chase, Henry McFarland, George W. Crockett, Daniel Holden, Isaac A. Hill, Benjamin A. Kimball. Lyman D. Stevens is the only president, and John Kimball the only treasurer, from the organization to the present time.

The first deposit was made June 1, 1870, by Isaac Andrew Hill, of Concord. The amount of deposits, June 1, 1885, was $797,665.17; the amount of sur- plus, June 1, 1885, was $60,000.

The present board of trustees are Lyman D. Ste- vens, William M. Chase, John Kimball, John M. Hill, Woodbridge Odlin, George A. Cummings, James L. Mason, George W. Crockett, Daniel Holden, Isaac A. Hill, Leland A. Smith, Lysander H. Carroll, Ben- jamin A. Kimball, Henry W. Stevens, Charles H. Amsden.

The present officers are: President, Lyman D. Stevens; Vice-President, William M. Chase; Secre- tary and Treasurer, John Kimball; Teller, Frank P. Andrews.

Loan and Trust Savings-Bank was incorporated at the June session of 1872, with the following incor- porators: J. Everett Sargent, Asa Fowler, George G. Fogg, William Butterfield, John V. Barron, James Peverly, Nathaniel White, James S. Norris, Calvin Howe and others.

Hon. J. Everett Sargent was elected president at the first meeting of the bank, and has held the office ever since. John V. Barron was first treasurer, holding the office till 1878.

George A. Fernald treasurer from 1878 to present time.

The present trustees are J. Everett Sargent, James S. Norris, Lewis Downing, Jr., John F. Jones, Silas Curtis, Howard A. Dodge, John H. Barron, George A. Fernald, Leander W. Cogswell, William K. Mc- Farland, Paul R. Holden and Howard L. Porter.

Committee of investment,-Sargent, Norris, Down- ing, Jones and Dodge.

The amount of deposits May 2, 1885, was $1,564,- 828.17.

The amount of assets, same date, was $1,689,758.25.

The Penacook Savings-Bank was incorporated in 1869. The original incorporators were Isaac K. Gage, Henry H. Brown, Calvin Gage, Henry H. Ams- den, John S. Brown, Nehemiah Butler, William H. Allen, John C. Gage, David A. Brown, Ezra S. Harris, John Sawyer, Austin G. Kimball, Moses H. Bean, John S. Moore, John A. Holmes, Healy Morse, Samuel F. Brown, George Hepler and David Putnam and associates.

The following were the first board of trustees : Nehemiah Butler, Henry H. Amsden, Henry H. Brown, Isaac K. Gage, John C. Gage, John A. Holmes, John Sawyer, John S. Moore, Ezra S. Harris, W. H. Allen, Enoch G. Wood, John C. Linehan, David Abbott, Moses U. Bean, John S. Brown.

The first meeting to organize was held August 14, 1869. Henry H. Brown was chosen president, and held the office until his death, in September, 1873. Isaac K. Gage was chosen president October 13, 1873, and is the present incumbent.

Samuel F. Brown was chosen treasurer and seere- tary at the organization of the bank, and has con- tinued in that capacity to the present time.

The present board of trustees are Isaac K. Gage, John S. Brown, Charles H. Amsden, Charles E. Foote, Thaddeus O. Wilson, John A. Coburn, Rufus D. Scales, Charles H. Sanders, William H. Allen, John C. Linehan, Nathaniel S. Gale, Charles M. Rolfe, John E. Rines, Abial W. Rolfe.

In December, 1878, on account of losses by a failure in the place, also a law-suit pending, the court ordered a scale down of deposits of thirty per cent. In July, 1881, fifteen per cent. of scale down was re- stored to the depositors.

Depositors continued still to withdraw their deposits, so that in April, 1884, the bank commis- sioners petitioned the court to appoint an assignee to close up the bank. The court appointed E. H. Wood- man and S. F. Brown assignees.

After the scale down of the old account in 1878, a "new account" was opened to those who wished to deposit, which is operated by the officers of the bank at the present time; this new account has never been large, never exceeding thirty-five thousand dollars, and is gradually being withdrawn, the depositors receiving their principal and interest in full.

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Count Rumford .- A history of this town would not be complete with the name of Major Benjamin Thompson (afterwards Count Rumford) omitted. In 1775 the spirit of liberty ran high, and Major Thompson seems to have fallen under suspicion of Toryism, which finally resulted in his flight from the town. He was a native of Woburn, and in 1775 had been in Concord about three years engaged in teach- ing school. He married Sarah, widow of Colonel Benjamin Rolfe,1 and daughter of Rev. Timothy Walker. In 1774 he received a commission as major in the New Hampshire militia from Governor John Wentworth ; but as Governor Wentworth was known to favor the cause of the crown, the people became suspicious of Major Thompson because he held a commission under him. Other slight canses increased the feeling against him in the minds of his fellow-townsmen, and he finally left Concord and placed himself under the protection of General Gage, in Boston.

His subsequent fortunes (says Dr. Bouton, in speak- ing of this remarkable personage) are the most remarkable that ever attended any person whose name is recorded in our history. Driven by unreasonable suspicions from his home, his wife and infant child, forsaking his native country for a foreign service, he became the associate of princes, the honored favorite of kings and the commander of armies. As the promoter and founder of public institutions of learn- ing and beneficence, his genius shone resplendent among the literati and philosophers of Europe. His name, invested with honors which royalty alone can confer, is transmitted to posterity as that of the friend of mankind.

In January, 1776, he was entrusted by General Gage with dispatches to Lord Germaine, in England, then Secretary of State for the department of the colonies. In 1780 he was appointed under-secretary in that department. Toward the close of the Revo- Intionary War he obtained the commission of lieuten- ant-colonel, and was sent to New York in command of a regiment. In 1784 the King conferred on him the honor of knighthood. Subsequently he went to Germany, and at Strausbourg was introduced to Prince Maximilian, and then to His Serene Highness, the Elector Palatine, reigning Duke of Bavaria. From the Elector he received all the honors that could be conferred, and, among others, that of Count "of the holy Roman Empire," to which Mr. Thompson added the title, Rumford, in remembrance of his for-

) Colonel Benjamin Rolfa was one of the most opulent and influential of Concord's earliest citizena. Ile was born in Newbury, Mass., in 1710, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1727. He came to Concord soon after its settlement, and froui 173I to 1770 was clerk of the proprie- tary. In 1737 he was made clark of tha Massachusetts and Naw Hamp- shire boundary commission, appointed to determine the line between the two provincea. He waa also for many years town clerk, a colonel of the provincial militia and a representative in tha General Assembly. Ha possessed larga bnainass capacity, and was aver active not only in his own affairs, but in those of his town and province as well.

mer residence. Under the patronage of the Elector, Charles Theodore, he introduced great improvements in the condition and discipline of the army. At Munich, in 1790, he suppressed the system of men- dicity which widely prevailed, and provided houses of public industry, in which beggars were supported and required to labor. Two thousand and six hun- dred of this class were put in in a single week, and the industrial establishment for them, which at first was supported by voluntary contributions, came to yield to the State a net income of one hundred thon- sand florins. In grateful remembrance of his ser- vices and benefactions, a monument is erected in Munich to his honor. Inscribed beneath his bust is the following :

" To him Who rooted out the greatest of public evils, Idleness and Mendicity ; Relieved and instructed the Poor, And founded many joatitutiona for tha education of our Youth. Go, wanderer, And strive to equal him In Genina and Activity ; and ns In Gratitude."

On the other front is inscribed,-

"Stay, Wanderar ! At the creative fiat of Charles Theodora, RUMFORD, the Friend of Mankind, By Genius, Tasta and Love inspired, Changed thia onca desert placa Into what thon now beholdest."

He became almost the object of idolatrous regard by the poor. At one time, when dangerously ill, they formed processions, and went to the church to pray for his recovery. When sick at Naples they devoted an hour each evening to join in supplications for his restoration to health. About 17941 he sent to this country for his daughter, who met him in England, accompanied him to Munich, and for several years afterwards shared his fortunes. For his services in Bavaria the Elector settled on him a pension for life of nearly two thousand dollars, one-half of which descended to his daughter, as Countess of Rumford, during her life. Returning to England, he assisted in putting in operation the society known as the Royal Institution, in London, about 1799. He after- wards located himself at Paris, married the widow of the celebrated chemist, Lavoisier, and with her resided at Auteuil, on the estate of her former husband, where he died of fever, August 21, 1814, in the sixty- second year of his age.

He bequeathed the annual sum of one thousand dollars to Harvard College, with other reversions, to found the Rumford professorship. To the American Academy he also made a liberal bequest.

Sarah, Countess of Rumford, was born in Con- cord, October 18, 1774. A portion of her early life was spent with her paternal grandmother, at Wo- burn. After the death of her mother, in 1792, she

1 Perhaps as early as 1792.

CONCORD.

went to Europe, at her father's invitation, and was introduced into the polite and fashionable circles of Bavaria, of Paris and of London. Between the death of her father and her own decease she visited this country two or three times ; but her principal resi- dence was at Brompton, near London, in a house which she inherited from her father. A portion of her time she spent in Paris, where she had funds invested. In 1845 she returned to the spot where she was born, to live and-to die. Occasionally the countess attended public worship at the North Church, and visited her family relatives and friends, but spent most of her time in adorning the grounds about her house. By her habits of strict economy the property she inherited, together with her pension of about one thousand dollars, had accumulated to a very considerable sumn at the time of her decease, all which she disposed of by will, partly to family con- nections, but mostly for charitable objects, as follows:

To the Rolfe and Rumford Asylum, in Concord, which she founded, $5000; with all her real estate, appraised at $5000; to the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, $15,000 ; to the Concord Female Char- itable Society. 82000; to the Boston Children's Friend Society, $2000; for the Fatherless and Widows' So- ciety, Boston, 82000.

Several rare paintings, which she inherited from her father, were given to Joseph B. Walker, Esq., of this city.

The Rolfe and Rumford Asylum was opened for the reception of beneficiaries January 15, 1880. Its benefits are confined to native female children of Concord.

The germinal idea of this institution may probably be found in a circumstance which occurred more than eighty years ago at Munich, in Bavaria, where Count Rumford, then in the service of the reigning Elector, was living with his daughter.

One of the most important enterprises which the count had originated, and carried to full success in that country, was the establishment of an institution known as the House of Industry. Through its agency large numbers of idle beggars had been con- verted to respectable and self-supporting citizens. It became very popular, and excited much interest in all Europe.

To pay her respects to her father, on his forty- fourth birth-day, the countess called upon him on the 26th of March, 1797, accompanied by a dozen boys and girls from the House of Industry. The count was so much affected by this incident that he re- solved that it should not be forgotten. He made the countess a present of two thousand dollars in three per cent. stock of the United States, the income to he appropriated to clothe, annually, October 23d, for- ever, twelve poor and industrious children. The count and countess decided that the place for the bestował of this charity should be the town of Con- cord.

Some correspondence took place with the selectmen of Concord in relation to the subject, but nothing further was done during the life-time of the count. His daughter cherished through life the purpose of ultimately carrying into effect the original design of her father, or of establishing some equivalent substitute for it.

By her will, she gave to it all her real estate and a cash endowment of fifteen thousand dollars. The latter, deemed inadequate for the support of the in- stitution contemplated, has been carefully cared for, and now forms a fund affording an income sufficient for its support.

The building thus far used was formerly the man- sion-house of the Rolfe and Rumford families. In it the founder was born, October 18, 1774. In it, after a long and varied life in this country and in Europe, she died, December, 1852.

About 1764, Colonel Benjamin Rolfe erected on the west bank of the Merrimack, at the Eleven Lots, the house now occupied by this institution. For that time and this locality it was an elegant mansion, and the best, doubtless, in this section of New Hampshire. Soon after its completion, wearied of his bachelor life, he married Sarah, eldest daughter of the town minister, Rev. Timothy Walker, and set up therein his household gods. At the time of their marriage he was some sixty years of age, and his wife about thirty. They had lived together but two or three years when Colonel Rolfe died, leaving to his widow and their only son, Paul, the largest landed estate in Concord.

The asylum was incorporated as the Rolfe and Rumford Asylum, July 3, 1872, the following per- sons being named a body corporate: Joseph B. Walker, Ebenezer S. Towle, Enoch Gerish, Jesse P. Bancroft and Francis A. Fisk.

New Hampshire Bible Society.1-The suggestion to form a Bible Society for the State of New Hamp- shire was first made at the meeting of the General Association of Congregational Ministers, at Exeter, in 1810.

The next year, at the meeting of the same body, at Dunbarton, it was decided to form such a society. A committee was appointed to prepare an address to Christians of all denominations, inviting them to unite in such an organization, to draw up a constitu- tion and to call the first meeting of the society. This meeting was held in Concord, June 3, 1812. The constitution reported was adopted, and the fol- lowing officers were chosen: Hon. John Langdon, president; Rev. Seth Payson, D.D., vice-president; Rev. John H. Church, secretary; Jonathan Wilkins, Esq., treasurer ; Daniel Emerson, Esq., Rev. Joseph Smith, Major John Mills, Rev. Reed Page, directors.

The object of the society was "to promote the more extensive distribution of the Holy Bible." This

1 By Rev. F. D. Ayer.

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

was to be pursued by distributing, gratuitonsly, among the destitute and needy, and by selling at re- duced price to all, Bibles and Testaments.

The method of work adopted, was to carry copies of the Bible to every home in the State, and offer, by sale or gift, these to every family.

The conviction from which the work started has continued it, viz., that every individual, every family, needed the Bible, and, in some way, should have it.

The feeling was that the home and the State could be safe only as the people were familiar with, and obedient to, the truths of God's word.

This widespread feeling gave the society at once the hearty support of the different denominations, and of the great body of the people. In four years from its formation, four thousand six hundred Bibles and one thousand five hundred Testaments had been placed in the homes of the State. This was more than it now seems, for the greater part of the State was new and books expensive.

In 1815 a young man in New Ipswich printed an edition of the New Testament, five thousand copies, and the society purchased one thousand copies, which cost, when bound, fifty cents a copy.

This year Hon. Timothy Farrer received a com- munication from the president of the New Jersey Society, proposing a union of the Bible Societies of the country. There were then one hundred and thirty local societies.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 23

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520