History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 34

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 34
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 34

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Smith, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in August 5, 1864, John Smith, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864.

Daniel E. Smith, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in Septetuber 30, 1864. Albert W. Smith, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 30, 1864.

Benjamin Severance, Thirteenth Regimeut ; mustered in July 18, 1864. Leroy A. Swestt, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864.

Frank Stevens, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 17. 1864. James M. Shepard, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 27, 1864.

Edward Sanders, Eighteentb Regiment ; mustered in September 29, 1804. James H. Stevens, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864.

Joseph I. Shallis, mustered in September 7, 1861.

Charles T. Summers, Sixteenth Regiment ; mastered in September 10. 1864.

J. Sidney Sargent, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864.

A. L. Sanborn, Heavy Artillery ; umstered in September 7, 1864.

Benjamin Severance, Veteran Reserve Cerps.

William Sanborn, mustered in September 10, 1864.

George Stearos, mustered in October 8, 1864.

Franklin L. Tandy, Fourth Regiment ; mostered in August 12, 1862.

Josiah Tandy, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in August 15, 1862.

Josiah Teel, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in September 23, 1862.

George W. Tucker, Fourteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 24, 1862.

George S. Tufts, mustered in September 14, 1863.

Robert Trimble, mustered in September 22, 1863.

Samuel Tebo, mustered in October 10, 1863.

John Thompson, Fourth Regiment ; minstered in October 23, 1863.

Erastus B. Tucker, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in April 5, 1804. George Thomas, Fourteenth Regiment ; mustered in July 26, 1804. John Town, mustered in September 27, 1864.

Themas Trainor, United States Navy ; mustered iu November 16, 1864.

Henry Thomas, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in November 25, 1864. William Tabor, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in December 3, 1864. Thomas Taylor, mustered in December 15, 1864.

William H. Thompson, mustered in December 27, 1864

Joseph Thompson, United States Cavalry ; mustered in January 3, 1865. Elisba Themas, Navy ; mustered in November 14, 1863.

Edward Traynor, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 19, 1863.

Edward Tobin, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 17, 1863.

Francis Turner, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 17, 1863.

James Tryen, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 13, 1863.

Joseph P. Thompson, United States Navy ; mustered in August 19, 1864. Charles Tbempson, mustered in October 19, 1864.

Charles H. Tallant, mustered in September 2, 1864.

William S. Thurston, Cavalry ; mustered in December 21, 1863. William Tilton, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in October 25, 1863.

James Thomas, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August 11, 1862.

Charles W. Underhill, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in Angust 16, 1862.

William W. Virgio, Thirteenth Regimeut ; mustered in September 23, 1862.

John S. Vogler, United States Navy ; mustered in September 3, 1864. John White, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August 5, 1862.

William D. Wallace, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August 11, 1862. William Woods, Ffth Regiment ; mustered in August 12, 1862.

William R. Wadleigh, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1882. George W. Wurthen, Eleventh Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1862. James H. Walker, mustered in August 23, 1882.

Harrison Webber, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in September 5, 1862.

George H. Weeks, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 23, 1862.

George A. Wilder, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered In September 23, 1862.

William Williamson, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 23, 1862.

Charles W. Wilson, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered lu October 25, 1862.

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HSTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Corliss Wheeler, Fifth Regimeot ; mustered in October 1, 1863. Charles E. Williams, mustered io September 23, 1863.

Joha B. White, mustered in September 16, 1863. Samuel Watson, mustered in October 7, 1863.

George E. Watson, Third Regiment ; mustered in February 14, 1864. Thomas C. Weeks, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in April 8, 1864. Charles B. Wallace, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in April 30, 1864. John Ward, Nintb Regiment; mustered in June 10, 1864. Thomas E. Wilder, Sixth Regiment ; mn tered in in 1864. James White, Cavalry ; mustered in October 6, 1862. George Winston, United States Cavalry ; mustered in August 18, 1864. Jeremiah Williams, mnstered in September, 1864. Rensellaer Wright, Heavy Artillery ; minstered in September 15, 1864. Heory A. Walsh, Cavalry ; mustered in November 11, 1864. Alfred Wells, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in November 25, 1864. James Wright, mustered in December 2, 1861. Robert Williams, Navy ; mustered io December 6, 1864.

Thomas Ward, mustered in December 9, 1864.

William Wilson, Third Regiment ; mustered in December 14, 1864. Edward Walker, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in December 24, 1864, William G. Webb, Eiglitb Regiment ; mustered in January 2, 1865. Frank Warren, Third Regimeot ; mustered in in 1864.

Walter A. Webster, United States Navy ; mustered in January 3, 1865. Henry Wilson, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in January 5, 1865.

Joho or Joseph Walch, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in February 3, 1865.

Peter Woods, Eleventh Regimeot ; mnstered in March 1, 1865. Joho Wilson, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in February 7, 1865. William F. Wallace, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in March 6, 1865. George A. Whittier, Teoth Regiment ; mustered io September 10, 1862. Charles Wood, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 13, 1863. Heory Williams, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 12, 1863. William Wirt, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 20, 1863. James Williams, Second Regiment; mustered in November 23, 1863. William Westerman, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 25, 1863. Charles H. Waymonth, mustered in November 14, 1863.

George Whillard, Second Regimeot ; mustered in November 17, 1863. Nelson Whitney, Fourth Regimeot ; mustered in November 13, 1863. George Wallace, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 12, 1803. Charles W. Woods, Second Regiment ; mustered in August 9, 1864. Johan W. Wilson, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September, 1864. Clarion F. Whittier, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered io October 1, 1864. William F. Wion, Heavy Artillery ; mnstered in October 17, 1864. Richard E. Welsh, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 24, 1864 George H. Wilkins, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864. Horace G. Wyman, United States Navy ; mustered in Angust 24, 1864. Frederick J. Willoughby, Cavalry ; mustered in October 6, 1863. Frank Walker, Fourth Regimeot ; mustered in January 2, 1865. Thomas Young, Seventh Regiment ; mnstered in November 23, 1864. Michael York, Second Regiment; mustered in November 17, 1863.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

NATHANIEL WHITE.

Nathaniel White, oldest child of Samuel and Sarah (Freeman) White, was born in Lancaster, Feb- ruary 7, 1811. His childhood was passed under a tender mother's care, and to her strict religious train- ing was Nathaniel White indebted for his noble character, which led him untainted amid the tempta- tions of youth, and unspotted through a long career of usefulness. At home were those principles of integrity, honesty, temperance, philanthropy and generosity inculcated which led to a long life rounded by Christian virtues, adorned by humanitarian graces and free from vices.

At the age of fourteen years he went into the employ of a merchant in Lunenburg, Vt., with whom he remained about one year, when he accepted employ- ment with General John Wilson, of Lancaster, who was just eutering upon his duties as landlord of the Columbian Hotel, in Concord. His parents the more readily consented to his taking this step on account of the many noble qualities of Mrs. Wilson. To her care he was entrusted by his solicitous mother. In the employ of General Wilson, Nathaniel White com- menced life in Concord at the foot of the ladder. He arrived in Concord, August 25, 1826, with one shilling in his pocket. For five years, or until he came of age, he continued at the Columbian, rendering a strict account of his wages to his father, and saving the dimes and quarters which came as perquisites, until by his twenty-first birthday he had a fund of two hundred and fifty dollars,

This may be understood from the fact that he com- menced life with certain virtues and with no vices, He was prudent, economical, temperate. He never used intoxicating drinks as a beverage, nor tobacco in any form ; nor did he gamble or bet with dice or cards. Business success he preferred to pleasure, and to his work he carried enterprise, energy and will.

In 1832 he made his first business venture, negoti- ating the first and last business loan of his life, and purchased a part interest in the stage-route between Concord and Hanover, occupying the "box " himself for a few years. In one year he was frec from debt. Soon after, he bought into the stage-route between Concord and Lowell. In 1838, in company with Captain William Walker, he initiated the express business, making three trips weekly to Boston, and personally attending to the delivery of packages, goods or money, and other business entrusted to him. He was ever punctual : he never forgot. In 1842, upon the opening of the Concord Railroad, he was one of the original partners of the express company which was then organized to deliver goods throughout New Hampshire and Canada. The company, under various names, has continued in successful operation to the present day, and to Nathaniel White's busi- ness capacity has it been greatly indebted for its remarkable financial success.

In 1846, Mr. White purchased his farm, and has cultivated it since that date. It lies in the south- western section of the city, two miles from the State- House, and embraces over four hundred acres of land.

For his adopted home he ever felt and evinced a strong attachment, and to him Concord owes much of her material prosperity and outward adornment. Beautiful structures have been raised through his instrumentality, which render the capitol and the State-House park such attractive features of the city. In 1852 he made his first step in political life, being chosen by the Whigs and Free-Soilers to represent

With white

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Concord in the State Legislature. He was an Aboli- tionist from the start, a member of the Anti-Slavery Society from its inception. His hospitable home was the refuge of many a hunted slave, a veritable station on the Underground Railroad, where welcome, care, food and money were freely bestowed, and the refu- gees were sent on their way rejoicing, The attic of his house and the hay-mows in his stable were the havens of rest for the persecuted black men.

In all works of charity and philanthropy Mr. White was foremost or prominent. He was deeply interested in the establishment of the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane and the State Reform School ; in the Orphans' Home, at Franklin, which he liberally endowed; and the Home for the Aged, in Concord, which was his special care.

The Reform Club of Concord, though not an elce- mosynary institution, received substantial benefits from his generosity, and to him, in a great measure, it owed its very existence, during the reaction which followed the first enthusiasm.

Besides his extensive interest in the express com- pany, his farm-which is one of the most highly cultivated in the State-his charming summer retreat on the borders of Lake Sunapee and his real estate in Concord, he was interested in real estate in Chicago, in hotel property in the mountain districts, in rail- road corporations, in banks, in manufacturing estab- lishments and in shipping. He was a director in the Manchester and Lawrence, the Franconia and Profile House and the Mount Washington Railroads, and in the National State Capital Bank ; a trustee of the Loan and Trust Savings-Bank of Concord; also of the Reform School, Home for the Aged and Orphans' Home, and of other private and public trusts.

In 1875, Nathaniel White was the candidate for Governor of the Prohibition party, and he had a vast number of friends in the Republican party, with which he was most closely identified, who wished to secure his nomination for the highest honor within the gift of a State by the Republican party. In 1876 he was sent as a delegate to the Cincinnati Con- vention, which nominated Mr. Hayes for President, and cast every ballot for the gentleman of his choice. During the summer of 1880 he was placed by his party at the head of the list of candidates for Presi- dential electors.

With all these honors thrust upon him, Nathaniel White was not a politician, although firm in his own political convictions. The office sought the man, not the man the office.

Nathaniel White was blessed in his marriage rela- tions. His history is incomplete without a narration of the perfect union, complete confidence and mutual trust and assistance between him and his wife during a married life of nearly half a century. November 1, 1836, he was married, by Rev. Robert Bartlett, of Laconia, to Armenia S., daughter of John Aldrichi, of Boscawen, who survives him. Mrs. Armenia S. White

is of good old Quaker stock, descending in the sixth generation from Moses Aldrich, a Quaker preacher who emigrated to this country in the seventeenthi century, and settled in Rhode Island; and on the maternal side, from Edward Doty, a Pilgrim who landed in the "Mayflower." She was born Novem- ber 1, 1817, in Mendon, Mass., her parents removing from Rhode Island at the time of their marriage. In 1830 she went with her parents to Boscawen, where she lived until her marriage. Mrs. White has been her husband's companion and abettor in every good work.

Their children are John A. White; Armenia E., wife of Horatio Hobbs; Lizzie H., wife of C. H. New- hall, of Lynn; Nathaniel White, Jr .; Benjamin C. White, who survive. They lost two children-Annie Frances and Seldon F .- and adopted one, Hattie S., wife of Dr. D. P. Dearborn, of Brattleborough, Vt.

In early life Mr. White joined the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, but his interest was soon gone. For several years he continued his connection with the society by paying his dues, without actual attend- ance, until at last he dropped from their ranks. He belonged to no other secret socieey. Anti-slavery societies, temperance societies, charitable and benev- olent societies, woman suffrage and equal rights societies, and the Universalist society,-in all of these both husband and wife were deeply and equally interested. Hand-in-hand they have been in every good work, save where the charities of one were nnknown to the other. During the first four years of their married life, on account of Mr. White's occupa- tion, they hoarded ; for eight years they lived on Warren Street; since 1848, until the death of Mr. White, in their residence on School Street. Here they have meted out generons and refined hospitality to the humble slave, the unfortunate and to the most illustrious guests who have honored Concord by their visits.

Nathaniel White died Saturday, October 2, 1880, having nearly completed the allotted span of three- score years and ten. He was stricken down suddenly, although, with his usual business foresight, he seems to have been prepared for the change. The family in their bereavement had the sympathy of the com- munity and State. The sense of a great loss pervaded the city. The funeral was held in the church which owes so much to his fostering care, and was the occa- sion when a great multitude bore witness to the depth of their sorrow. His remains lie in the lot in Blossom Hill Cemetery. which his filial love prepared as the resting-place for his parents.

What were the traits that so endeared Nathaniel White to all who knew him, or could appreciate him ? He was thoroughly good : he had a great heart. Of active sympathies, of warm feelings, he was ever ready to listen to the call of suffering, and answer it. His heart and purse were always open for worthy objects. His assistance was freely given for the

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

furtherance of good enterprises. He was an ardent and persevering worker for reform. He was a con- sistent temperance advocate. He was a modest man withal, not fluent as a speaker, but listened to as an oracle. Deeds, not words, made up his life. He was blessed with good judgment and common sense. He was practical and successful. To him a man was a brother, a woman a sister. He loved his fellow-men.

Mr. White embodied and exemplified in his life those qualities of mind and heart which distinguish what we love to call our self-made men. He was essentially progressive, courageous and a moving force among his associates. Life was to him full of opportunities, which he had the nerve to seize and the capacity to improve ; and then force of character, guided by high moral instinct and sterling honesty, made him a power in the business and social com- munity, and won for him his high position. And it was no covetous hand that gathered up this harvest of wealth and influence and strength of resource. He gathered it and dispensed it with equal munificence. It went to help the poor, to encourage enterprise, to promote all good works and to make the community better and happier. He made his impress on the world about him, not by what he gained from it, but by what he gave it; and his works live after him, and speak continually of a life that was a rich bless- ing, and is still a treasure to the community to which it peculiarly belongs.

The Daily Monitor, under date of October 2, 1880, said,-

" In the death of Nathaniel While this community sustains an irrep- arable Joss. Large-hearted, humane, liberal and progressive, he gave to every good work, local and general, his earnest, unstinted support. Devoted to the welfare of Concord, he employed his wealth for the en- hancement of its prosperity. His public spirit extended also to the State, and he was foremost in enterprises for the development of its resources. A good man has gone to his reward, and it can he truly said that the world is better for the part he hore in it."

Mr. White's marital relations were of a most happy character, and Mr. H. P. Rolfe truly said,-

"In all his aspirations to make himself an honorable name, and to do good to his kindred, his friends, his country and his race, Mr. White was most fortunate and happy in that he had the early suggestion, the prompt encouragement, the ready co-operation and the ardent sympathy of her whe, for nearly half a century, kept his home constantly blooming with the sweet-scented flowers of affection."

HON. ONSLOW STEARNS.

A large proportion of the men who have been elected to the chief magistracy of our State were, to a greater or less extent, engaged in political life during a con- siderable period of their existence. The men of essen- tially business tastes and occupation, who have been called to the gubernatorial chair, have been excep- tions to the general rule. Nor is our State different from others in this regard. Everywhere, as a rule, the public offices which the people have at their disposal are conferred upon men who have devoted their time and attention to politics and partisan

management. Among the more conspicuous excep- tions to this rule in this State is the case of the late cx-Governor Stearns, who, although a man of de- cided political convictions, was, in no sense of the word, a politician, and was never in any degree concerned in party management. Mr. Stearns was a business mau in the full sense of the term; and, thoroughly identified as he was with the railroad interest of the State from its inception till the day of his death, he was unquestionably, from first to last, the most conspicuous representative of that interest in New Hampshire.

Onslow Stearns was born in Billerica, Mass., August 30, 1810. The farm upon which he was reared, and which still remains in the family, being now owned by an older brother, Franklin Stearns, was the property and homestead of his grandfather, Hon. Isaac Stearns, a prominent and influential citizen of Middlesex County, and a soldier in the old French War, who was, at one time, a member of the Executive Council of the State, and held other honorable and responsible offices. His father, John Stearns, who was also a farmer, and succeeded in possession of the homestead, was killed in the prime of life by a railroad accident at Woburn. William Stearns, a brother of John and uncle of Onslow, was a soldier in the Revolution, and fought at the battle of Lexington. Onslow Stearns remained at home, laboring upon the farm, and availing himself of such educational privileges as the public schools afforded, until seventeen years of age, when he went to Boston and engaged as a clerk in the house of Howe & Holbrook, afterward J. C. Howe & Co., where he remained about three years, and then left to join his brother, John O. Stearns, since famous as a railroad contractor and builder, who, then in Virginia, was engaged in the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Subsequently he be- came interested with his brother in contracts for the construction of various railroads in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, upon which he was engaged until the summer of 1837, when he returned to Massachusetts and engaged in contracts upon the Charlestown Branch and Wilmington and Haverhill Railroads, now, respectively, portions of the Fitch- burg and Boston and Maine roads. Soon after, he engaged in the work of completing the Nashua and Lowell Railroad, then in process of construction from Lowell to Nashua. This road was completed in the fall of 1838, when Mr. Stearns was made its superintendent, holding the position until July, 1846, when he resigned to become agent, of the Northern Railroad Company of New Hampshire, for the purpose of constructing its road from Concord to White River Junction. His first efforts in the interest of this road were directed toward obtaining the necessary legislation for securing a right of way for the road over the land where it was to pass, the law of 1840 having rendered it impossible. This

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legislation was secured in 1844, by which the State was empowered to take the land of the owners, making them compensation for damages, and leasing the same to railroad corporations, they repaying to the State the amount paid for damages.

Under the personal supervision of Mr. Stearns, the road was located, and the work of construction vigorously carried forward and completed, the Bristol Branch included. After its completion he became manager of the road, which position he held till May, 1852, when he was chosen president of the Northern Railroad Company, continuing in that office until the time of his death. He was also gen- eral superintendent of the Vermont Central Railroad from 1852 till 1855, a director in the Ogdensburgh Railroad for some time, and for nearly twenty years, up to 1875, a director in the Nashua and Lowell Railroad corporation.

While president of the Northern Railroad Com- pany, Mr. Stearns was also president of the Sullivan, the Contoocook Valley and the Concord and Clare- mont Railroad Companies, which were connected in interest with the Northern Railroad, and, under his direction, the Concord and Claremont Railroad was extended from Bradford to Claremont, being com- pleted in 1872. The success of Mr. Stearns in the management of these various railroad enterprises caused his services to be sought by those interested in other railroads, and he was frequently solicited to take charge of railroad interests in Massachusetts and other States. These offers he uniformly declined till July, 1866, when he was induced to take the presidency of the Old Colony and Newport Railway Company, in Massachusetts, which position he held till November, 1877, when he resigned on account of failing health. During this time the Old Colony and Newport Railway Company and the Cape Cod Rail- road Company were consolidated under the name of the Old Colony Railroad Company, and the South Shore and Duxbury and Cohasset Railroads, with others, were added to it. The Old Colony Steamboat Company was also formed, and purchased the boats of the Narragansett Steamship Company, thus form- ing, with the Old Colony Railroad, the present Fall River Line between Boston and New York. In 1874, Mr. Stearns was elected president of the Con- cord Railroad, and continued to manage the affairs of this corporation till his death.

The eleven years during which Mr. Stearns was president of the Old Colony Railroad were years of the most intense and constant labor on his part. For two years of the time he was Governor of New Hampshire. He was president of the Northern Railroad and the other roads connected with it dur- ing all that time; and for three years he was also president of the Concord Railroad and of the Old Colony Steamboat Company, besides being a director and interested in the management of various other corporations. Mr. Stearns gave an active, personal

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 34

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