History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 39

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 39
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 39

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Mr. Cummings has been chosen to many places of honor, trust and responsibility, being a trustee of Mer- rimack County Savings-Bank, a trustee of the Orphans' Home, at Franklin, vice-president of the Odd-Fel- lows' Home and director of the Concord Horse Railroad. In 1884 the citizens of Concord formed a stock company for the purpose of erecting a building and establishing a shoe manufactory here, and elected Mr. Cummings one of the directors and subsequently he was elected president of the corporation. The building erected is the best in the State, and much credit is due Mr. Cummings for his untiring efforts in making this new industry a success, for it was largely through his efforts that the enterprise was accom- plished. In 1854 he married Mary Lizzie, daughter of the late Frederick P. Smith, then of the firm of Smith & Johnson, dry-goods dealers, of Manchester, N. H. Mr. Smith had four sons, each of whom served in the War of the Rebellion, two of whom gave their lives to save their country. Mrs. Cum- mings is a superior woman, possessing energy and ability, and by her economy and good judgment has performed well her part in assisting her husband in his life-work. Two children have been born to them, a son and daughter. Frank G., the eldest, is a part- ner in the firm of C. H. Weeks & Co., marble and granite dealers, Haverhill, Mass.,-a young man of integrity and rare business ability, having inherited a share of his father's good judgment and business qualifications. Ida E., who died in 1876, at the age of nineteen years, attended the High School at Con- cord, and entered the Female Academy at Bradford, Mass., in 1874, and would have graduated in about a year, had her health permitted. She was a young lady of culture and refinement, and of great promise, much beloved, not only by her own family, but by all

Leo. A. Quand 1

Joseph Wentworth

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who knew her, and her early death was mourned by a large circle of friends.

George A. Cummings is a self-made man. He be- gan life with nothing and gradually worked his way to a position of respect and influence, and he is trusted and honored by his fellow-citizens. He is a man of noble qualities of mind and heart; no worthy person soliciting aid was ever refused assistance. He is ever encouraging and helping others in the strug- gle of life. Given to hospitality, guests are always welcome. Now in the prime of manhood, it is hoped that his life may be spared for other fields of useful- ness and honor that he may yet be called to fill.

JOSEPH WENTWORTH.

Joseph Wentworth was born in Sandwich, Carroll County, N. H., January 30, 1818, taking his first lesson in life among the hardy sons of that moun- tainous region. He was educated at the academy at New Hampton in 1835, at Hopkinton in 1836 and South Berwick in 1837. He was a successful mer- chant thirty years in his native town, not only con- ducting a general country store, but dealing largely in cattle and horses. He was town clerk, selectman and representative to the State Legislature in 1844-45. He was also a delegate from Sandwich, in 1850, to the convention called to revise the constitution of the State, and from Concord to the Constitutional Conven- tion in 1876. He was aid to Governor John Page, with the rank of colonel, and quartermaster several years in the New Hampshire Horse Guards. Mr. Wentworth was register of deeds for Carroll County two years, high sheriff of same county five years, and was for fifteen years postmaster. He was also for many years president and chief owner of the Carroll County National Bank. In 1870 he gave the old homestead to his son, Paul, and removed to Con- cord, N. H., where he was elected, two years, assessor of taxes, from Ward 6, and also representative to the State Legislature in 1878. He married, May 7, 1845, Sarah Payson Jones, of Brookline, Mass. They had born, in Sandwich, six children,-two sons and four daughters,-all of whom survive. The two sons, Paul and Moses, entered Harvard College the same day; graduated the same day, in 1868, just one hnn- dred years after the graduation of their great-grand- father from the same college, and from their high rank in their class both were assigned a part on graduation day, the records of the college showing no other such case of two brothers. The daughters are Sarah C., Lydia C., Susan J. and Dolly F. Mr. Wentworth's parents, Paul and Lydia C. Wentworth, were both descendants of Ezekiel, son of Elder William Wentworth. His maternal grandfather, Colonel Amos Cogswell, served through the entire War of the Revolution. His paternal great-grand- father, Judge John Wentworth, presided at the Revo- Intionary Convention in New Hampshire. His

grandfather, John Wentworth, Jr., was a member of the Continental Congress.

ENOCH GERRISH.

The name of Gerrish has been prominently identi- fied with Merrimack County, and particularly with the town of Boscawen. Captain Stephen Gerrish was one of the original proprietors of Boscawen and one of the leading spirits in the new settlement. His eldest son, Colonel Henry Gerrish, was a distin- guished citizen and held many positions of trust and responsibility. He was chosen the first grand juror to His Majesty's Superior Court, 1773; delegate to the convention for the choice of members to the First Continental Congress in 1774; the same in 1775; represented the towns of Boscawen and Salisbury in the General Court in 1779, and Boscawen in 1790.

He was captain in the militia at the breaking out of the Revolution, and marched with the Minute-Men to Medford upon the receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington. He was lieutenant-colonel of Stick- ney's regiment at the time of the Bennington cam- paign, but, having been detailed to other duty, was not in the battle. He was present at the surrender of Burgoyne, being on the left flank of Burgoyne at Battenkill, where he acted as clerk at the sale of some of the plunder taken from the British. The mess-book used on that occasion is still in existence. He often acted as the town's agent during the Revo- lution, performing the duties assigned him with the same care and energy that characterized the manage- ment of his private affairs.

Major Enoch Gerrish, third son of Captain Stephen, was born in Boscawen, June 23, 1750. When eighteen years of age he built his log cabin on the east side of the road now called High Street, where he cleared five acres of land, being part of the homestead where he and his posterity have since resided. He had a love for military parade, as his title indicates. Dur- ing his life he was chosen to fill the offices of moder- ator, selectman and representative to the General Court nine years. A man strictly religious, he joined Dr. Wood's church in 1781, and was elected deacon in 1783, an office which he held until his death, May 1,1821.

His son, Isaac Gerrish, father of Colonel Enoch, was born in Boscawen, November 27, 1782. He was an honored citizen and a leading member of the church in that town.

Colenel Enoch Gerrish, the subject of this sketch, only son of Isaac and Caroline (Lawrence) Gerrish, was born at the old homestead, on High Street, July 28, 1882. He obtained his education at the acade- mies in Boscawen, Franklin and Meriden. On the death of his father he inherited a large portion of his estate, and with it, at the age of twenty, came the care and management of an extensive farm. An addition of more than one hundred acres made it one of the

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

largest in Merrimack County. For twenty years he devoted his time to the cultivation and improvement of his soil, successfully developing its resources by raising live-stock, hay and wool, when its heavy growth of wood and timber attracted the attention of the lumber manufacturer, to whom it was sold in 1865.

Possessing a love for military parade and drill, he was promoted from the lowest rank to that of colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment New Hampshire Militia.

He was often elected to fill the various offices in town, the duties of which were well performed. A friend to the church where his ancestors worshiped, and to religious institutions generally, he manifested an interest in all measures that contributed to their usefulness.

He moved to Concord after the sale of his farm, where his sound judgment, particularly in matters of finance, was duly appreciated, as is shown by his ap- pointment as one of the trustees of the New Hamp- shire Savings-Bank, in Concord, and of the Rolfe and Rumford Asylum.

He also represented Ward Four, of Concord in the Legislature of 1881-82. He married Miranda O., daughter of Joseph S. and Harriet N. Lawrence, May 23, 1854.

Their children are Frank Lawrence, born May 19, 1855 ; Lizzie Miranda, born June 14, 1860.

CHARLES H. AMSDEN.

Isaac Amsden, the first of the Amsden name re- corded in this country, appears in Cambridge, Mass., where he was married, June 8, 1654, to Frances Per- riman. He is supposed to have come from England. He died in Cambridge April 7, 1659, leaving two children.

Isaac (2), their son, was born at Cambridge in 1655; married Jane Rutter, May 17, 1677. He died May 3, 1727. She died November 22, 1739, leaving six children.

John (3), third son of Isaac (2), born at Marlborough, Mass., December 28, 1683, died at Southborough, Mass., November 12, 1761. He married Hannah, daughter of Isaac and Frances (Woods) Howe, of Marlborough, Mass., who was horn June 17, 1688, and had twelve children.

Jesse (4), son of John (3), was born at Sonthborough, Mass., May 31, 1729. He married Bettie Ball, of Southborough, November 10, 1748, and had twelve children.

Jonas (5), son of Jesse (4), horn at Southborough, April 24, 1749, married Hannah Rice, August 9, 1770. He died at Mason, N. H., March 20, 1802. She died at Mason February 27, 1809. They had nine children.

Hubbard (6), son of Jonas (5), born 1790, died Sep- temher 16, 1817. He married Annie Saunders, of Mason, N. H., March 8, 1814, had two children.

Henry Hubbard (7), son of Hubbard (6), born Sep- tember 14, 1816, married Mary Muzzey, of New lps-

wich, N. H., August 6, 1840. He died at Fisherville (now Penacook), N. H., December 6, 1869.

Children of Henry H. and Mary Amsden,-George Henry, born July 7, 1841, died January 16, 1872; Charles Hubbard, born May 20, 1846, died October 29, 1847 ; Charles Hubbard, born July 8, 1848 ; Ed- ward, born December 10, 1853, died June 9, 1858.

Charles Hubbard (8), son of Henry (7), Hubbard (6), Jonas (5), Jesse (4), John (3), Isaac (2), Isaac (1) and Mary (Muzzey) Amsden, the subject of this sketch, was born in Boscawen, N. H., July 8, 1848.

In early life he attended the public schools, and in August, 1863, went to New Ipswich, N. H., where he attended the Appleton Academy, remaining there until the spring of 1865.

On returning home he entered the employ of Cald- well & Amsden, furniture manufacturers, and con- tinued with them until December, 1868, when the firm of H. H. Amsden & Sons succeeded to Caldwell & Amsden, the same being composed of Henry H. and his two sons,-George H. and Charles H.,-and Charles H. Allen, of Boston.

December 6, 1869, the senior member of the firm died, and the remaining partners continued the busi- ness until the death of George H., which occurred January 16, 1872. After that the two remaining part- ners conducted the business until January 1, 1880, when Charles H. bought the interest of Mr. Allen, and since that time has conducted the same alone under the same firm-name. Mr. Amsden is also associated with John Whitaker, Esq., in the lumber business, they having one of the best mills in the southern part of the State, the product of which is used by Mr. Amsden in the manufacture of fur- niture.

Being of the opinion that New Hampshire is a good State for manufacturing, it has been his policy to encourage and aid it all he could, and to this end has engaged with associates in other branches of business, being at the present time the president of the Concord Axle Company, also a director in the Con- toocook Manufacturing and Mechanic Company, of Penacook, the B. W. Hoyt Company, of Epping, N. H., and the Mechanics' National Bank, of Con- cord, N. H., and also State director of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad. Nothing of a public nature but that has his encouragement and assist- ance so far as possible, and he is a liberal contrib- utor to benevolent objects. In religious views he is a Baptist, having become a member of that church and society at an early age, and is to-day one of the most liberal supporters of the church with which he is connected.

October 29, 1870, he married Helen A., daughter of David A. and Martha A. (Daggett) Brown, of Pena- cook. Of this union there were born to them, July 15, 1872, a son, Henry Hubbard, who is now living ; also, January 31, 1878, a daughter, Mary Ardelle, who died October 20, 1883.

Enoch Gerrish

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CONCORD.

Being of a retiring disposition, and having his time so much taken up by business cares, he has never sought public honors to any great extent. He represented his ward in the Board of Aldermen of the city of Concord in the year 1874, and was unani- mously returned in 1875; was also a member of the State Senate in 1883.

Mr. Amsden is now in the prime of life, and owing to foree of circumstances, his business career has already been more extended than the average of men at his age. Filling varions positions of trust and responsibility with commendable acceptability, it has been his peculiar aim to merit and receive the es- teem and confidence of his associates and constitu- ents.

ABRAHAM BEAN.

Abraham Bean was born March 14, 1789, in Lou- don, N. H. His father, John, was a farmer in Gilmanton, who, shortly before the birth of the sub- ject of this sketch, moved to Loudon, and there continued as a farmer. Abraham had very limited opportunities for obtaining an education, as his father lived two miles from the school, and his atten- dance being only during the winter terms; he often had to break his own path through the deep snows for the entire distance. He was a hardy boy and grew rapidly, so that at twelve years of age we find him leaving his home and engaging with Esquire Jon- athan Eastman, of Concord (then a small farming town), as a farm hand. Here he remained for several years and became known as a trusty and competent workman, and commanded the highest wages paid at the time.

December 17, 1810, he married Sally, daughter of Ezekiel and Mary A. (Sanborn) Clough, of Lou- don. From this union there were two children,- Mary Ann, born July 16, 1812 (who married Hermau Sanborn, of Boscawen, and had four children), and Sarah Jane, born October 12, 1818, who married John L. Tallant, of Canterbury, January 21, 1835; they had thirteen children, seven of whom are now living.

Mr. Bean, early in life, became interested in civil affairs, and was called to positions of trust and honor by the citizens of the town. He was for over twenty years the collector of taxes for Concord. He repre- sented the town of Concord in the General Court two years. He also held the positions of deputy sheriff and constable for over twenty years, and be- came greatly interested iu the growth and prosperity of Concord. In these various positions Mr. Bean showed himself to be a man of good sense, was ener- getic and full of enterprise, and in the collection of the revenues of the young city was peculiarly suc- cessful. In politics Mr. Bean was a Democrat, and acted with that party with but one exception during his life, the exception being his favoring the election of his friend, John Quincy Adams.

Mr. Bean was a member of the Congregational

Church at East Concord, and it was largely through his influence that the first church there was built. He was one of the original grantees of a charter for the State Capital Bank, and one of its board of direc- tors for many years. He was an earnest advocate of the temperance cause, a man of great decision of character, and a valued citizen who was ever ready to lend a helping hand in any good cause. He led an active life, and died April 7, 1861, beloved and re- spected.

HON. JACOB H. GALLINGER.1

Dickens remarks, in one of his novels, that it is not likely to be forgotten that Alexander wept because there were no more worlds to conquer, "the circum- stance having been somewhat frequently mentioned." For the same reason, there is little danger that the reading public will forget that "New Hampshire is a good State to emigrate from." Let us for once amend this tiresome and unpatriotic old proverb, and rejoice that at least one highly successful man has found New Hampshire a good State to immigrate into. And may not the honors which the old State has bestowed upon the child of her adoption suggest, if not a rebuke, at least a wholesome lesson, to her own recreant sons who have wandered from her side?

Jacob H. Gallinger, the subject of this sketch, was born in Cornwall, province of Ontario, March 28, 1837. He was the son of a farmer and the fourth in a family of twelve children. His parents were of German descent and were possessed of but moderate means. Like so many others who have achieved high success in after-life, he was forced, at an early age, to rely upon his own resources. At the age of twelve he entered that incomparable political train- ing-school, a newspaper-office, served an apprentice- ship of four years and made himself master of the "art preservative." After working at his trade for one year, in Ogdensburgh, N. Y., he returned to Cornwall, and, for a year, edited and published the paper on which he had served his apprenticeship.

During this time he was under the charge of a private instructor, and endeavored, in such spare moments as a country editor may snatch from his numberless duties, to supply the deficiency caused by the unfortunate lack of educational advantages in his early boyhood.

In 1855 he hegan the study of medicine in Cincin- nati, Ohio. During the vacations he eked out his scanty means by working in the office of the Cincin- nati Gazette as reporter, proof-reader or compositor. He completed his medical course in May, 1858, grad- nating with the highest honors of his class. He practiced his profession in Cincinnati for one year, devoted the next year to study and travel, and then, in July, 1860, came to New Hampshire. A year later he associated himself in practice with Dr. W. B.

1 By Allen J. Hackett.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Chamberlain, at Keene. About this time he joined the homeopathie school of medicine, to which he has since adhered. In the spring of 1862 he removed to Concord, where he has since resided and where he has built up a large and Incrative practice. As a medical practitioner he stands in the front rank of his profession in this State. For seven years he was president of the New Hampshire Homeopathic Med- ical Society, in 1868 he received an honorary degree from the New York Homeopathic Medical College, and he has been elected an honorary member of several medical societies. He has also been a fre- quent and valued contributor to medical periodicals, and was surgeon-general of the State, with the rank of brigadier-general, on the staff of Governor Head, during the years 1879 and 1880.

But it is in political life that Dr. Gallinger is best and most widely known. To use a homely and hack- neyed expression, he is a "born" politician. He possesses, in an unusual degree, the executive capa- city, the quickness of perception, the promptness in action, the courage, the combativeness and the shrewd knowledge of human nature, which are the most important requisites to success in political life. Such a man having entered the field of active politics, it was inevitable that he should work his way to the front.

He has always been an active Republican, and has long ranked among the leaders of his party in this State. He was first elected to the House of Repre- sentatives in 1872, and served as chairman of the committee on insurance. He was re-elected the next year and was appointed to the chairmanship of the committee on banks, and also as chairman of an important special committee.

His service in the lower branch of the Legislature was characterized by industry, close attention to business and distinguished ability and readiness in debate.

In 1876 he was elected a member of the Constitu- tional Convention. This convention will always be historic by reason of the large number of able men that it contained and the important reforms that it inaugurated.

Dr. Gallinger took a prominent part in the debates, and was a valuable and influential member.

His plan for representation in the Legislature on the basis of population, although opposed by many of the older members of the convention, was adopted by a large majority. The very general satisfaction with which the system is regarded sufficiently attests the wisdom of its author.

In March, 1878, he was elected to the State Senate from the old Fourth District, and served as chairman of the committee on education. He was re-elected in the following November, and upon the convening of the Legislature, was chosen to the presidency of the Senate, an office whose duties his rare parliamen- tary ability enabled him to discharge to the entire

satisfaction of the Senators, as was attested by the exceedingly complimentary resolutions unanimously passed at the close of the session, accompanied by a valuable testimonial.

Dr. Gallinger had long been an active and influen- tial member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee, and in September, 1882, he was made its chairman. The campaign which followed was one of exceeding bitterness and beset with exceptional diffi- culties. Republican disaffection was rife throughout the land. The tidal wave which, two years later, carried the Democratic party into power in the nation, had already set in. New York, Pennsylvania and even Massachusetts chose Democratic Governors, and a Democratic Congress was elected. In addition to these general discouragements, the Republicans of New Hampshire were called upon to face serious obstacles of their own, which are well known to all, and which, therefore, need not be discussed here. It is only just to say that, with a less adroit manager at the head of the Republican organization, the Repub- lican victory which followed would have been impos- sible. Dr. Gallinger was re-elected to the chairman- ship in 1884, and again demonstrated his especial fitness for the place.

In the Second District Convention, held at Con- cord, September 9, 1884, Dr. Gallinger was nominated for member of Congress, receiving on the first ballot one hundred and seventy-one out of a total of three hundred and twenty-nine votes. The nomination was subsequently made unanimous. His competitors were Hon. Daniel Barnard, of Franklin, and Hon. Levi W. Barton, of Newport-two of the ablest men in the State. He was elected in November following, running several hundred votes ahead of his ticket. He will take his seat at the opening of the first session of the Fiftieth Congress, in December next.

Dr. Gallinger has been prominent in politics other- wise than in an official capacity. He is one of the most popular and snecessful campaign orators in the State. As a speaker, he is rapid, direct and practical, has an excellent voice and always commands the close attention of his audience. He is also a facile and effective writer. He has frequently prepared the resolutions for State and District Conventions, and has written, to a considerable extent, for the daily press. He has also performed considerable literary labor of a general character. He has frequently lec- tured before lyceums and other literary societies, and Dartmouth College has conferred upon him the hon- orary degree of Master of Arts.

In August, 1860, he married Mary Anna Bailey, daughter of Major Isaac Bailey, of Salisbury, N. H. Of their six children, four are living,-Alice M., Kate C., William H. and Ralph E., aged respectively twenty-four, nineteen, sixteen and thirteen years. In religious faith he was reared an Episcopalian, but for many years has been identified with the Baptist denomination.

. Sallinger

James J. Norris

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Dr. Gallinger is slightly above the medium height, and is somewhat portly. He has always been strictly temperate in his habits, and the happy results of his abstemious life are apparent in his cheery and health- ful countenance. He has a fine presence, a cordial, hearty manner, and a pleasing, winning address. His rare social qualities, abundant good-nature, keen sense of humor and excellent conversational powers make him a most agreeable companion, and few men in the State enjoy a higher degree of personal popularity. His many friends rejoice in his advancement and will watch his future with interest and sympathy.

In the prime of manhood, in the full tide of health and strength, about to abandon State affairs for the wider arena of national politics, a sketch of Dr. Gal- linger's life, written at this date, is necessarily incom- plete. The record of the most important and event- ful part of his life-work must be left to the pen of some future biographer. If the achievement of the past may be taken as an index of the probabilities of the future, he has before him a career of eminence, honor and usefulness.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 39

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