History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 78

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 78
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 78

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).

The Methodist Church was organized in 1871, hy Rev. J. H. Haines. The church is in a prosperous condition; Rev. S. P. Heath, pastor.

The Roman Catholic Church was organized by Rev. Father Murphy, of Laconia. He was succeeded by Fathers Goodwin, Lambert and Galvin.

CHAPTER IV.

FRANKLIN-(Continued).

The Legal Profession-Physicians-Educational-The New Hampshire Orphans' Home-The Press-The Transcript-The Merrimack Jour- nal-The Franklin National Bank-The Franklin Savings-Bank.

Lawyers .- The legal profession in Franklin, even from an early day, has numbered among its members some of the most distinguished lawyers and jurists in the State. The first lawyer in the town was Thomas W. Thompson,1 a graduate of Harvard, who commenced practice here in 1791. He was a member of Congress, State treasurer, etc. Parker Noyes,1 an early lawyer of the town, was also an able man. He was promi- nent in securing the charter of the town in 1828. Hon. George W. Nesmith,1 ex-judge of Supreme Court; Hon. Daniel Barnard;1 Hon. Austin F. Pike,1 United States Senator ; and Hon. Isaac N. Blodgett,1 associate justice of the Supreme Court. Other lawyers are E. B. S. Sanborn,1 F. N. Parsons, William M. Bar- nard (son of Judge Daniel Barnard), G. R. Stone, E. G. Leach and W. D. Hardy.

Physicians .- The medical profession has also been well represented. The oldest resident physician is Dr. Luther M. Knight, who located here in June, 1845. Other physicians have been John H. Sanborn, H. W. Brockway, W. W. Sleeper, Austin Durkee (deceased), William E. Keith, C. B. Nichols and J. W. Staples.

Educational .- The town is more liberal in its support of schools than any town in the State com- pared to its population. The present High School was erected at a cost of about forty thousand dollars.

Two natives of Franklin are presidents of colleges, -Rev. N. J. Morrison, D.D., president of a college in Missouri, and John W. Simons, president of a col- lege in Dakota.

The New Hampshire Orphans' Home .- The first meeting for the organization of this humane institu-

I See chapter on Bench and Bar.

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FRANKLIN.

tion was held in Eagle Hall, Concord, February 21, 1871.

At that meeting Hon. George W. Nesmith, of Franklin, was chosen president; Hon. Horton D. Walker, of Portsmouth, vice-president; Rev. C. W. Millen, of Tilton, secretary ; Hon. John Kimball, of Concord, treasurer ; and Rev. D. A. Mack, of Frank- lin, superintendent and agent.

In June, 1871, the institution was incorporated. The persons authorized to call a legal meeting of the corporation did call it in July, and the aforesaid charter was duly accepted by the grantees. Officers were elected, and at that and a subsequent meeting, a board of directors was chosen, by-laws ordained and a committee was appointed to report upon the location of the institution.

Part of the second section of the act of incorpora- tion gives in brief language the main objects of the Home,-

"The main object, or purpose, of this Corporation is to procure a home for the destitute orphans and homeless children in this State ; to furnish substantial aid for a time hy feeding and clothing them ; by teaching them habits of industry ; by giving them moral and intellectual improvement, and, finally, to seek out for them suitable and permanent places of residence, where they may receive rewards for their labor, and ultimately become useful members of society, and, consequently, be saved from pauperism, vice and crime."

It was empowered to take and hold personal or real estate to the amount of three hundred thousand dollars.

Also to make legal and binding contracts with the guardians or friends of the orphans in relation to their services and future employment, and were also authorized to make similar contracts with the over- seers of the poor, or county commissioners, who may have the legal control of any orphan for the time being.

· At a meeting of the board of directors, holden in August, 1871, the committee appointed to locate the institution reported in favor of establishing it upon the Daniel Webster farm, in Franklin, extensive, well located and full of historic interest. Their report was adopted by a vote of the directors. On the 28th of August the executive committee of the board purchased of Messrs. Joseph Eastman and John C. Morrison, of Concord, one hundred and eighty acres of the Webster farm, with the buildings thereon. The price demanded was ten thousand dollars, but the owners remitted eight hundred dollars of the pur- chase money to the corporation, leaving the price stipulated to be paid nine thousand two hundred dollars.

This was adjusted by the payment of five thousand dollars drawn from the treasury ; also by contribu- tions of the citizens of the town of Franklin amount- ing to $2504.24, a portion of which had already been paid into the treasury; also from money received from sundry citizens and religious societies of the towus of Amherst, Andover, Bristol, Canaan, Enfield, Exeter, Lebanon and Wilton, amounting in all to

$1745.62, including a small balance of interest which had accrued on the purchase money. On the 19th day of October, 1871, the Home was dnly opened and consecrated to the public use and to its pro- fessed objects by appropriate ceremonies. Interest- ing addresses were made in the presence of a large concourse of people by Professor E. D. Sanborn, Senator Patterson, Rev. Mr. Heath, Rev. Dr. Davis and others. On the same day a fair was holden for the benefit of the orphans by their friends from Concord, Fisherville, Lebanon, Andover, Salisbury, Tilton and other adjacent towns, from the avails of which the treasury realized the net income of about four hundred and fifty dollars. In the same month the trustees engaged the services of Rev. Mr. Mack as financial agent, his wife as matron and his daughter Jennie as teacher, all at the fixed salary of one thousand four hundred dollars, including also their board for the term of one year. The first orphan was admitted on the 26th day of October.

The Home was opened with Rev. D. A. Mack as chaplain and Mrs. Mack as matron. Mr. Mack re- mained its efficient chaplain until his death, which occurred December 1, 1883.

During the first three years the number of children averaged annually from thirty to forty. During these years all the current expenses were paid, the Home was furnished with furniture and the farm with stock and tools. Besides this, a new building was erected at a cost of eight thousand dollars, and five thousand dollars was left in the treasury and nearly one thou- sand dollars on subscription. This brings us to 1875. From 1875 to 1878 the chaplain served as financial agent only six months. During this time the funds of the Home decreased nearly one thousand dollars annually. In May, 1878, there were only two thou- sand dollars on hand, and but little on subscription. During the last five years, from May 30, 1878, to May 30, 1883, Mr. Mack was the only accredited agent.

This institution was practically founded by Mr. Mack, and it was through his untiring efforts that it was made a success. He planted this institution here on a property for which a hundred per cent. bonus has since been offered. He was voted ten per cent. commission on the first ten thousand dollars, but received little less than eight per cent. The endow- ment of the Home invariably increased when he acted as agent, and at no other time. By much hard labor he procured furniture, furnishing for the dormitories, thirty thousand brick, boots, shoes, cloth, books, papers, farming tools, etc., for the institution. Over four hundred dollars was secured on the day of the dedication. On these donations he received no com- mission.

The first president of the Home was the honored and venerable George W. Nesmith, who still occupies the position. His name has been a tower of strength to the institution and his counsels have been inval- uable. Mrs. Mack is the present matron.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The Franklin Transcript was started by Mr. John A. Hutchinson. The first number appeared July 6, 1882. A seven-column folio, "patent outside," was used. The paper was dated Franklin, N. H., and printed by O. A. Towne, at the Falls. Mr. Hutchin- son was a man of feeble health, who was able to put but little work into the paper, yet from the first it paid not only the running expenses, but a handsome sum beside. He was taken suddenly ill of congestion of the lungs September 26th, and died October 5, 1883. The paper was continued by his widow during October, and sold to O. A. Towne November 1st. Mr. Towne having other business which demanded his attention, associated Mr. S. H. Robie with himself in the enterprise, giving Mr. Robie the position of editor and general manager. In December of the same year the paper was changed from a "patent " to a "home- print." The subscription list and advertising patron- age increased materially. Up to the present writing it has been constantly under the above management -in the firm-name of Transcript Publishing Com- pany.

The Merrimack Journal was founded in February, 1872, by Hon. Daniel Barnard and Hon. Austin F. Pike, presumably with an idea of helping assist Pike to a re-election to Congress. He was defeated. The ostensible proprietors, whose names stood at the head of the paper, were Moses B. Goodwin, a Washington journalist, lawyer and "literary feller," and Frank M. Calley, a printer. In 1874, Omar A. Towne pur- chased Calley's interest, and in 1875, D. T. Elmer bought the paper. His successors were F. K. & G. B. Wheeler, who bought in May, 1876. G. B. Wheeler bought his brother's interest in 1877, and sold to Russell P. Eaton, who had published the New England Farmer twenty-five years, in May, 1880. In October of the same year it was purchased by the present proprietor, Roscoe E. Collins, a practical printer and journalist of wide experience, who made it an inde- pendent paper in all things. It had been a twenty- eight column paper from its start. In May, 1883, he enlarged it to a thirty-two column paper. It is read by six thousand people every week, and its circulation embraces most of the States and Territories of the Union.

The Franklin National Bank was organized November 22, 1879. Alvah W. Sulloway, Daniel Barn- ard, Warren F. Daniell, Isaac N. Blodgett, Walter Aiken, John Taylor, all of Franklin, and George E. Shepard, of Andover, were elected directors ; Alvah W. Sulloway was chosen president, Daniel Barnard vice-president and Frank Proctor clerk and cashier.

The capital ($100,000) was fully paid on December 6, 1879, and the charter of the bank (No. 2443) was issued December 20, 1879.

The bank opened for business January 1, 1880, in the rooms of the Franklin Savings-Bank, which occu- pancy has continued to the present time.

At each successive annual stockholders' meeting

the same board of directors has been unanimously re-elected, and the officers of the bank remain the same as at the date of organization.

The surplus and undivided profits of the association now aggregate one-fifth of the capital stock.

Franklin Savings-Bank was incorporated June 30, 1869, with the following incorporators: Walter Aiken, N. H. Sanborn, Warren F. Daniell, Austin F. Pike, Jonas B. Aiken, Daniel Barnard, John Taylor, Frank H. Daniell, George W. Nesmith, James Tay- lor, Alexis Proctor, David Gilchrist, Edwin C. Stone, Frank H. Aiken, Levi Richardson, Stephen Kenrick, John W. Sweat, Ephraim G. Wallace, A. S. Nesmith, A. W. Sulloway, John H. Rowell, William Russell, William A. Russell, I. N. Blodgett, E. B. S. Sanborn, Asa B. Closson, Henry Burley, Benjamin S. Hancock, Orin B. Davis, Watson Dickerson, John Proctor.

The following were the first officers and trustees : President, Austin F. Pike; Secretary and Treasurer, Nathaniel H. Sanborn ; Trustees, Austin F. Pike, George W. Nesmith, Daniel Barnard, David Gil- christ, Warren F. Daniell, Watson Dickerson, Wil- liam A. Russell, John Taylor, Walter Aiken, Alexis Proctor, Jonas B. Aiken, Stephen Kenrick, A. W. Sulloway.

Present officers : George W. Nesmith, president ; Alexis Proctor, treasurer. Present trustees : George W. Nesmith, Daniel Barnard, Warren F. Daniell, John H. Rowell, Milton Gerrish, John Taylor, Wal- ter Aiken, C. C. Kenrick, A. W. Sulloway, H. A. Weymouth, I. N. Blodgett, E. B. S. Sanborn, F. L. Morrison.

The first deposit was made October 1, 1869, by Harry Hinds, of ten dollars.

Deposits, April 4, 1885, $593,930.

Presidents, Austin F. Pike and George W. Nes- mith ; Treasurers, N. H. Sanborn and Alexis Proctor.

Military Record, 1861-65 .- The following men enlisted from Franklin under the call of 1862 and subsequent calls :

Hubbard S. Kimball, James P. Simona, John Bankley, William Folley, Edward McCoy, John James, George Ramsay, A. J. Sargent, John Bren- nan, John Collis, Barnard Dormerly, P. McMahon, A. L. Smith, John C. Smith, A. L. Corliss, Charles D. Colby, C. B. Woodford, C. C. Frost, I. B. Huntoon, C. A. Fletcher, G. W. Daniels, Jacob G. Franch, Edward A. Knight, G. F. Sweat, S. G. Couliss, H. H. Logan, Joseph Atkinson, R. E. Cochrane, S. H. Clay, R. Stavona, G. H. Stevens, J. L. French, A. A. Pettengill, J. P. Simons, R. Keysur, James Cate, L. M. Clark, John Russell, J. B. Thorn, E. B. Aah, C. Lutz, A. F. Howe, G. S. Eaton, George Folley, J. Fuller, John Sanborn, George W. Eaton, D. T. Cheney, L, Chaney, Jr., John Ash, C. O. Dollof, A. M. Sanborn, James Fitzgerald, Thomas Harley, James Hall, B. F. Pettingill, William Wilson, Duncan McNoughton, T. James, B. I. Barnes, C. J. Pipa, J. Clinton, John Anderson, Calvin Sanborn, W. A. Gile, M. K. Smith, H. Colby, E. B. Hancock, W. P. Kinsman, F. W. Ballon, George Green, J. H. Bennett, A. T. Cata, D. T. Cata, S. Cook, L. M. Davia, H. W. Fairbanks, Jr., H. F. Gardner, W. H. Keyaa, C. C. Morrison, D. W. Parare, Joseph Thompson, D. K. Woodward, T. P. Whittier, C. E. Thompson, J. P. San- born, H. H. Sargent, H. B. Ingalla, S. J. Sawyer, W. J. Foster, O. Gard- ner, J. M. Otis, Thomas Kalley, J. Gillooley, Joseph Bennett, Charles Crawford, John Clancey, George M. Cnatar, Frank Cola, Thomas Ford, Peter Phillips, J. O'Brien, Ilarry Casper, John Lndlow, James Martin, Joho Murphy, John Smith, Joseph Sullivan, John Ward, Henry Wil- liams, James White, Thomas Cullam, N. Geary, John Gardner, John

Stoplis Kenzisk

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FRANKLIN.

Hustore, William Henry, John Johnston, R. J. Palmer, John Smith, Max Solnary, William Wistar, Willinm Riley, Asa Morrison, R. Brown, John Flynn, P. Kelly, George Ramsey, W. Elliott, Daniel Maxfield, G. M. Clifford, J. Green, J. C. Bruce, J. F. Putney, Thomas Bruce, B. W. Breed, Daniel Curtis, W. I. Dixon, Isaac Ilamilton, J. H. Hunt, L. Mar- inell, G. H. Stevena, C. H. Stevene, George Whitman, L. Reimann, C. Flemming, R. Meir, Charles Hayes, C. II. Hogan, Daniel Donglass, William Bradley, Thomas Rider, Willinm Andrews, John White, James Hayes, John Maxwell, William Harvey, John Weed, John Harrington, O. H. Merrill, R. G. Burleigh, H. J. Williams, Patrick Sawyer.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

STEPHEN KENRICK.1

Stephen Kenrick, Esq., one of the oldest and most influential citizens of Franklin, died on the morning of the 4th of August, A.D. 1884, after a lingering illness of several months.

He was born in Haverhill, Mass., June 15, A.D. 1806; his age, therefore, exceeded seventy-eight years. He was the youngest member of a family of nine children, born to John Kenrick and Sarah Col- by. They were both natives of Amesbury, but be- came citizens of Haverhill soon after their marriage. The husband was born December 16, 1764; the wife January 25, 1771. John died by a casualty in 1806. His widow subsequently became the wife of David Marsh, and the mother of two other children, viz .: Nathaniel, of Staten Island, N. Y., deceased, and Mary, wife of Rev. G. W. Kelley, resident in Haver- hill, Mass., now deceased.

The name of Kenrick, or Kendrick, or Kendricke appears to be of early English origin. The name of John seems to have been adopted as an early fa- vorite by the family. We find the name of John Kendrick, sheriff in London, in 1645. The same name appears as Lord-Mayor of London in 1651. John Kenrick was in Ipswich, Mass., in 1657. John Kenrick, John Kenrick, Jr., and Elijah Kenrick were among the petitioners, in May, 1678, to the Leg- islature, to set off part of Cambridge and to establish the town of Newton. John Kenrick, Jr., of Newton, marched from that town, and was engaged in the Lexington battle, April 19, 1775. Among the many immediate descendants of John Kenrick, of Ames- bury, Mass., who were distinguished in the walks of business and professional life, were Professors Henry L. Kendrick, of West Point Academy, and John Kendrick, of Marietta College, Ohio, both first cou- sins, and James R. Kendrick, superintendent of the Old Colony Railroad, who was also second cousin of Stephen Kenrick, Esq. These gentlemen were all natives of the town of Lebanon, in this State, and we might enumerate many others of the same family, and their " kith and kin," or collaterals, in different parts of the Union, as being prominent and successful

business men, aud highly respected in their respective localities.

Early in this century, and prior to 1820, Timothy Kenrick, the elder brother of Stephen, had immi- grated to the town of Lebanon, and established there a profitable mercantile business. He had acquired early a good education, and was known and honored by his fellow-citizens as a man of integrity by several public trusts. He was town clerk thirty-seven con- secutive years, and was several times elected their representative to the Legislature. He was often em- ployed in the settlement of estates of his vicinity, and was for many years director of the Northern Railroad. He well discharged these important trusts. In the mean time his brother Stephen was with his kind father-in-law, Marsh, in Haverhill, where he received good paternal protection and the benefits of the best schools found there until he arrived at the age of fifteen years. He then was committed to the care of his brother Timothy, then of Lebanon, and was employed in his brother's store. Here he received that valuable systematic instruction which proved useful to him in after-life. We next find him for a short time in Bangor, Me. Afterwards he was en- gaged in trade for himself with Mr. James Howe, at Barnet, Vt .; next, for a short time, at Boscawen Plain, N. H. Then, in 1831, he formed an advanta- geous co-partnership with Mr. Brewer, of Mclndoe's Falls village, Vt., and there continued in business until 1836, when he came to Franklin, and ever since has made his permanent residence here, identifying him- self with the business of this town, and becoming one of its most active and prosperous citizens.

For many years he was largely interested in various railroad projects and contracts, in connection with Joseph A. Gilmore and John A. Lyon. From these enterprises he derived much profit, and became a large proprietor in several railroads. He was president of the Concord and Portsmouth Railroad from about 1861 to the time of his death. For many years before his death he was president of the national bank lo- cated at Hillsborough Bridge, and was interested in its stock. He was also trustee of the Franklin Sav- ings-Bank. He took also a deep interest in the man- agement of the prudential and financial matters of the town, occupying many of the official stations, conferred by his fellow-citizens. He was elected one of the selectmen of the town during the years 1849, 1850, 1851, 1854 and 1872. In 1859 and 1861 he represented the town in the House of Representatives in this State. For many years he was a member of the Con- gregational Church in Franklin, and was one of its most generous supporters.

In 1833 he married Clarissa A., youngest daughter of Captain Ebenezer Blanchard, late of Franklin, who still survives him. To them were born seven children, four of whom were removed in infancy by death. Another, Dr. Timothy G. Kenrick, died in Naples, Italy, January 29, 1879. He was born July 8, 1849 :

1 By Hon. Geo. W. Nesmith.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

graduated at Dartmouth College in 1871; studied the medical profession, graduating at the Bellevue Hos- ·pital Medical College, New York, June 1, 1874. With much enthusiasm he applied himself to the study of insanity, and to the best mode of treating and man- aging those affected with this unfortunate disease. His mild temper and great power of self-control, united with his skill and learning, gave him signal success in this department of his profession. He was fortunate in early securing the patronage and friend- ship of Dr. I. W. Barstow, the eminent manager of the Sandford Hall Asylum, at Flushing, N. Y. He had the full confidence of Dr. Barstow, and was em- ployed by him, to the mutual advantage of both par- ties, up to 1876, when Dr. Kenrick was called into a larger sphere of duties as assistant surgeon in the New York State Lunatic Asylum, at Utica. It is enough to say that his success here met the expecta- tions of his friends, and that his professional attain- ments commanded the respect and confidence of his associates and the managers of that institution. His life was sacrificed to the malarial climate of Naples while, in devotion to duty, he was traveling for the benefit of the health of one of his diseased and wealthy friends, who was very wisely committed to his profes- sional care. His early, premature death brought extreme sorrow to the hearts of his parents and his many friends, who had witnessed his progress and reasonably indulged high hopes of his future success in life. The lamentation over his loss at home was most sincere. Abroad "he was by strangers honored and by strangers mourned."

Of the two surviving children, Stephen, the eldest, many years since removed to the West, where he has been extensively engaged in various railroad enter- prises. We find him now in Wisconsin, married, but without children, and prosperous in other respects, enjoying the income of the office of general superinten- dent of the Fort Madison and Northwestern Railroad. He is cheerful, and apparently enjoys life well.

The remaining child is a son, in the full vigor of life, under the name of Charles C. Kenrick, now very active, doing the labor of two men, being exten- sively engaged in building houses, barns, stables, shops. As a farmer, raising more hay and corn than any other person in town, improving largely, by judi- cious cultivation, his lands ; selecting good breeds of cattle and horses, and increasing their number; giv- ing promptly a fair day's pay to a fair day's labor, thus rewarding a large number of laborers, and ex- pending profitably a good amount of capital daily ; improving the condition of his estates, and augment- ing the wealth of the town. We might here also, with propriety, refer to the extensive traffic in wood and lumber recently carried on by him, not without profit.

During the long life of his father, Charles has' en- joyed the benefit of his advice, and followed it. There- by he gained his father's confidence, and before his

death he received from him the conveyance of a large estate, under the sole obligation to render all needed aid to his aged mother in sickness and in health. This obligation his kind nature prompts him to obey to her entire satisfaction.

We now leave the history of the children and again refer briefly to that of the father. While Mr. Kenrick was a citizen of Franklin we found him interested and well informed in the important interests of the town, State and nation. He had leisure and opportunity to inform himself so as to discharge intelligently his own private trusts and duties, as well as those belonging to the good citizen. His knowledge and experience, acquired by him in trade, banking and railroad affairs, were of much value to himself and useful to others. We have already alluded to his great ability in acquiring and retaining successfully a large estate. We must not forget to give due credit to a diligent help-meet, in the name of his wife, who brought to him a considerable pecuniary inheritance that descended from her paternal estate. This inher- itance, coming down from a worthy ancestry, would, of course, be highly appreciated. It constituted a valuable accession to the estate, now constantly in- creasing through the harmonious action, kind care and economy of both husband and wife. It is an ac- knowledged fact that the accumulation of property generally requires much patience and great mental resources ; but a critical world tells us that a wise appropriation or disposition of a large estate requires the exercise of still more sagacity, good judgment and wisdom.

HON. A. W. SULLOWAY.

From an industrial as well as a political standpoint, the town of Franklin has long occupied a prominent position in the State. Highly favored by nature with the facilities most conducive to the development of manufacturing industry, there has grown up within its limits, or been attracted thereto from other locali- ties, a large class of citizens possessing the enterprise, energy and sagacity requisite to the most advantageous use of those facilities.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 78

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