History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 94

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 94
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 94

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United Order Golden Cross .- On the evening of October 28, 1881, by the earnest effort of C. F. Pres- sing, D. G. C., a number of residents of Hooksett as- sembled in the Odd-Fellows' Hall to listen to an ex- planation of the benefits derived from the United Order Golden Cross, from Sir Knight Joseph Kidder and others, of Manchester. The result of the meeting was the institution of a Commandery with eleven charter members. The officers elected were Ira H. Adams, P. N. C .; John W. Prescott, N. C .; C. Juliette Colby, V. N. C .; Samuel Head (2d), W. H .; Minnie M. Head, K. of R .; David A. Colby, Prelate ; W. M. Davis, F. K. of R .; Benjamin J. Gile, Treasurer ; W. H. Putnam, W. of I. G .; James B. Ordway, W. of O. G. The membership at the present time is twenty- five. The following members have become Past Noble Commanders : Ira H. Adams, John W. Prescott, Samuel Head (2d), David A. Colby, Warren M. Davis,

Jacob F. Martin, George A, Harriman, James B. Ordway. D. Juliette Colby, Minnie M. Head and Nancy M. Davis are Emeritus Past Commanders. The present Noble Commander is Dr. F. D. Randall.

Justices of the Peace .- In the year 1825, Samuel Head and Nathaniel Head were justices of the peace. In 1829, Samuel Head, Foster Towns, Hugh J. Tag- gart, Enoch B. Barnes, Thomas R. Taggart. In 1833, Samuel Head, Foster Towns, Hugh J. Taggart, Enoch B. Barnes, Thomas R. Taggart. In 1834, Thomas R. Taggart was justice of the peace and quorum. In the year 1840, Richard H. Ayer, Thomas R. Taggart, Samuel Head, Hugh J. Taggart, Nathan Gault, John Parker, Philip Jones, Amos G. Gale, John P. Rowell, Charles Stark.

Lawyer .- Hooksett never had but one lawyer settled in town, and his name was John Whipple; he located in town prior to the incorporation. He was in Hooksett in 1822, '23, '24, '25. He afterwards practiced in Concord, and was there in 1835.

Taverns .- Hooksett has been famous in the early days of this century as having a number of taverns. In the village near the falls were located a number which received considerable patronage from boatmen, who were constantly plying the river. The sale of spirituous liquors was one of the principal sources of income. About the year 1780, Thomas Cochrane lodged people, and his books show a systematic list of charges for liquors, etc. Joshua Abbot, who lived at the head of Hooksett Falls, entertained strangers. He afterwards projected the tavern which came into the hands of John Prescott. One of the first tavern- keepers in the village was a Mr. Jackman. He kept in the house now occupied by Mrs. Walter B. Jones. He was succeeded by a man named Rix. A man named Simmons has kept the house since ; also, Inda Gile. William Hall and Henry Moulton were tavern-keep- ers in the village. One of the most famous tavern- keepers in town was Samuel Head. "Head's tavern " was known far and near as a model one. It was opened about the year 1805. Mr. Head was the pioneer in building and establishing the same. He continued to run the house until the year 1835. This point was a changing-place for horses on the Boston and Concord stage-line. Mr. and Mrs. Head were widely known as people of worth and great social qualities. Their extensive acquaintance attracted many visitors to the house, and it was the constant scene of great activity. Mr. Head was an active business man, dealing in lumber, speculating in lands, etc., and when he died, in 1854, he was called one of the largest real- estate owners in Merrimack County. Some time about the year 1848 he projected a large steam mill, which was completed at a cost of about eight thousand dol- lars. He continued to manage it until September 29, 1854, when he was accidentally killed. He was in the act of reaching for something and fell upon the circular saw. His left hand was sawed in an angle commencing on the lower side near the wrist and end-

1 By George A. Robie, P. G. M.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

ing through the knuckle of the forefinger, which was thrown twenty feet. The right arm was also com- pletely sawed off near the elbow-joint and his right leg cut nearly off' directly near the knee-joint. He lived about two hours. Drs. Croshy and Gale, of Manches- ter, were called, but he was dead before they arrived. His widow survived him until the next November, when she suddenly died sitting in a chair. She was seventy- one years old. Mrs. Head was a lady of sincere piety, kind and generous, with great conversational gifts. Other taverns were kept by William Parker on the River road, also one by Joseph Mitchell.

In the year 1823 the selectmen gave their approba- tion to the following parties to mix and sell spirituous liquors at their places of business: Captain Aaron Carter, Jacob F. Farnum, Gideon Flanders, Josiah Magoon, Benjamin Hill, Israel Ela, Jr., Samuel Head, William Hall, Chase & Rowe, Henry Moulton, Robert Davis was permitted to mix and sell spirituous liquors, at or near Samuel Head's, on the 9th day of March. On June 26, 1824, the selectmen approbated the Hook- sett Manufacturing Company to sell spirituons liquors. One of the prominent taverns of recent years is the Clark tavern, or the Branch Hotel. This was the original Whittier tavern. It has been kept by Ehen- ezer Clark. Horace Bonney leased it of Clark in 1858. It was kept by Bonney & Brother up to 1864, when Mr. Bonney opened the Ayer House, on February 18, 1864. Since, it was kept by Clark, and recent years by John Stearns, and called the Stearns House.

Since the opening of this house Mr. Bonney has continued to be its proprietor, excepting the year of 1883, when it was leased to Mr. Frank Richards for one year. In the fall of 1882, Mrs. Bonney died, which directly was the reason of the change. This house has gained a reputation which is wide-spread for its excellent management, the cuisine and generous tables and the great hospitality and social enjoyments that the surroundings afford. Mr. Horace Bonney was born in Winthrop, Me., in 1815, which was a part of Massachusetts at that time. He enlisted in the United States army September 26, 1833; was honor- ahly discharged in 1836 ; afterwards went to Texas and served under Sam Houston; served in Florida about two years, and then went into the dragoon ser- vice for five years, with headquarters at New York most of the time. Mr. Bonney kept the American House from 1855 to 1859, in Manchester. The Ayer Honse is the original homestead of Hon. Richard H. Ayer. During Mr. Ayer's residence, and since, it has been the abode of great social cheer. Many distin- guislied people visited Esquire Ayer, among whom was Governor Isaac Hill and family, who sustained intimate relations. Another prominent hotel proprie- tor was Edwin E. Goodale, of the Pinnacle House. Mr. Goodale came to Hooksett in 1840. Previous to that time he was engaged in the teaming business between Canada and Boston. He was proprietor of this house for twenty-five years, and in 1865 took in

his sign. During the time between 1843 to 1858 he was proprietor of the stage-route between Pembroke and Hooksett. This Pinnacle Honse was the old original Hall stand. Mr. Goodale built an elegant hall with an arranged spring floor, which was con- stantly occupied with balls and dances, being well patronized by people from the neighboring towns. Mr. Goodale died November 22, 1883, aged seventy- one years. In June, 1833, President Andrew Jack- son, with other distinguished men, passed through this town. He came direct from Nashna, leaving there in the morning and arriving at Inda Gile's tavern abont 11 A. M. The party made a short stop at Hon. Rich- ard H. Ayer's, who accompanied them to Concord. At Gile's tavern the horses were changed and six mag- nificent white horses were hitched up. Mr. Benjamin J. Gile, now a successful business man, was barten- der at the time, and he had the honor to make Presi- dent Jackson two glasses of lemonade. The reception given the President was entirely unconventional. Mr. Jackson stepped into the kitchen, where the cook was frying some doughnuts, and he asked the liberty to eat some. She offered him some cheese, which he took, and stepped to the back side of the house to look at Hooksett Falls. Mr. Jackson was given a rousing reception at Concord, and a committee of reception met the party between Hooksett and Concord. In the summer of 1877, President Hayes, accompanied by a part of his Cabinet, made a short stop at Hooksett. A large crowd of people assembled to see them. Mr. Hayes was introduced by ex-Governor Natt. Head, who, in return, introduced William M. Evarts and David M. Key, members of his Cabinet.

The resources of the town of Hooksett in the year 1880 are as follows : Agricultural products, $125,000 ; mechanical labor, $108,000; stocks and money at in- terest, $13,400; deposit in savings-bank, $116,217; stock in trade, $52,816. Among the manufactur- ers is the harness-shop of B. J. Gile. He established the business in 1837. Mr. Gile gives constant em- ployment to from ten to fifteen men. His goods are sent to all parts of the country. Gile's collars have a reputation for durability that equal any other make. Among the natives of Hooksett who have become pro- minent was the late Hon. Henry W. Fuller, judge of the Roxbury Municipal Court, Boston ; he was the son of David G. and Jane Fuller and was born in this town June 30, 1839. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, served during the war and was breveted briga- dier-general by President Lincoln. He was a mem- ber of the Massachusetts State Senate. He died in Boston, in 1884, of pneumonia.

Hon. Richard H. Ayer was born in Concord Janu- ary 12, 1778 ; died in Manchester February 5, 1853, aged seventy-five. He settled near Isle Hooksett Falls, within the limits of Dunbarton, in the year 1807. He was a man of great strength of will and force of character. He represented the town of Dun- I barton in the Legislature seven years, Hooksett four

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years; was moderator of Dunbarton from 1812 to 1823; in Hooksett a number of years; Presidential elector in 1816 and 1848; councilor five years ; was the first high sheriff of Merrimack County, from 1823 to 1828; naval store-keeper at Portsmouth from 1829 to 1837; delegate to the convention for amending the Constitution of New Hampshire in 1850. He was the principal agent in organizing the town of Hooksett, and establishing the county of Merrimack. Richard H. Ayer moved from this town, in 1845, to Manchester. He was a good citizen, generous to the poor and public- spirited. He accumulated a large property, and was extensively engaged in the lumber and brick business. He left a legacy of seven thousand dollars to the Uni- tarian Society in Manchester, of which he was a member. While a resident of Hooksett his house was the abode of good cheer and hospitality. His wife, the daughter of Peter Green, Esq., of Concord, was a very superior woman. He had two daughters, one of whom, Susan R., was the wife of Dr. Enoch B. Barnes, and the other, Mary G., the wife of Dr. Amos G. Gale. Among the prominent men who have resided in this town, and become a part of her history, was David R. Leach. He was born in Londonderry August 8, 1806, and died at Manchester April 1, 1878. His great wealth was founded in Hooksett, where he was a number of years engaged in business. He left a legacy of three thousand dollars to the town of Londonderry for a library. Another man, Seth K. Jones, was a prominent merchant. He moved to Con- cord in the year 1854, where he has since died. He left a large fortune, part of which was accumulated in Hooksett. Many natives of the town, who have located in different sections of the country, have be- come noted and wealthy.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GOVERNOR NATT HEAD.

New Hampshire has raised np within her borders and sent abroad many noble men who, by their char- acter and energy, have reflected honor upon their na- tive State. Among those who have been thus active and deserving and who attained positions of promi- nence, the subject of this sketch has place. Most men have friends, but few have gone to their graves leav- ing so many as Natt Head. Wherever he went, among all classes of people, withont effort and seem- ingly without purpose, he won the hearty and lasting friendship of all with whom he came in contact. He had a warm heart and a face always beaming with good humor, and was ever courteous, genial and gen- erous.

He was of Scotch and Welsh ancestry, John and Nathaniel Head, brothers, having emigrated from

Wales aud settled in Bradford, Mass., afterwards moving to Pembroke, N. H.

James Head, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, became an influential and patriotic citi- zen of his adopted town. Early in the period of trouble with the mother-country he enlisted in the military service, and served with fidelity and brayery through the war, and was killed at Bennington in 1777, holding the rank of lientenant-colonel.

His son, Nathaniel Head, born in Bradford, Mass., March 6, 1754, was the grandfather of Governor Natt Head.

When a young man, the son paid his addresses to Miss Anna Knox, daughter of Timothy Knox, of Pembroke. She was of Scotch-Irish blood, and one day, as the father and son were ploughing, the former said, "Nathaniel, do you intend to marry that Irish girl?" The reply was, firmly, but decidedly, " Yes, sir." Added the father, "Then understand yon can never share in my property." Yonng Nathan- iel's answer was, "Very well, I can take care of myself." And dropping the goad-stick, he left the paternal roof in a few hours to take up a farm in the wilderness and build a home for himself. The father made good his threat, leaving, at his death, one dollar to Nathaniel and to the other brothers the remainder of his property. Nathaniel built a log honse, carry- ing Anna Knox to it as his wife. He soon rose to po- sition and influence. The reports of the battle of Lexington show him to have been a second lieutenant in the Ninth Company of Volunteers from New Hamp- shire at Winter Hill, in the cold season of 1775-76; ensign in Captain Sias' company, Colonel Nichols' regiment, in the expedition to Rhode Island in 1778, and captain in Colonel Reynolds' regiment in 1781. After the close of the war he became prominently connected with the State troops and was colonel of the Eleventh Regiment.

His seventh son, born May 30, 1791, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He remained at the homestead, being associated with his father in the works of the farm and mill, and after his death, by purchasing the interest of his brothers, succeeded to the estate. He inherited the military spirit of his father and was elected lientenant-colonel of the Sev- enteenth Regiment. Colonel Head married Anna Brown, whose home was near his. She was a woman of great energy and executive ability, a member of the Congregational Church in Pembroke and was much beloved by all who knew her. Her father was a sea-captain who made numerous voyages round the world.

By the death of her husband, August, 1835, the widow was left in the management of a large and val- uable estate, as well as the care of a family. She died April 3, 1849, leaving five children-Hannah A., Sallie B., Natt, John A. and W. F., the latter the business partner of Natt, who for many years carried on a suc- cessful business in the manufacture of bricks, and also

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a very heavy lumber trade. Inheriting military traits from his father, we find Natt following in the footsteps of his distinguished ancestors. He was one of the first members of the Hooksett Light Infantry, which was one of the best in the State. He served four years as drum-major of the Eleventh Regiment, being elected September 1, 1847. He was an original member of the " Governor's Horse Guards " and chief bugler during the existence of the corps. He was many years com- mander of the Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester, an honorary member of the Boston Lancers, also an ex- sergeant of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. He was chief on the staffof Governor Joseph A. Gilmore and the Head Guards of Manchester. A military or- ganization formed at the close of the war was named in his honor. When the Soldiers' Asylum was burned at Augusta, General Head was appointed to the charge ofthe institution during theillness of the Deputy Gov- ernor, and subsequently herebuilt the establishment. He built several miles of Concord and Portsmouth Railroad between Suncook and Concord and also the branch line from Suncook to Pittsfield. He was elec- ted to numerous town offices and commissioned dep- uty sheriff and representative in the Legislature from Hooksett in 1861-62.

In 1863 he married Miss Abbie M. Sanford, of Low- ell, Mass., an accomplished and educated lady, who ever dispensed, with her husband, the generous hospi- tality of their home and ever encouraged him in all good work. Three children were born to them, -- Annie Sanford, Lewis Fisher and Alice Perley,-of whom the eldest only remains, Lewis having died in 1870, at the age of four years, and Alice in 1879, at the age of nine years.

In 1864 Natt received the appointment by Governor Gilmore of adjutant inspector and quartermaster- general of the State, which position he filled with acceptance until 1870. During his term of office as adjutant-general he accomplished the work which was to him the proudest and noblest of his public life, and in this capacity he made his most brilliant and enduring record. The war had already lasted three years when he was called to that office, and the nation was in one of the most important crises of its history. The loyal North was straining every nerve to answer the President's proclamation for more men to recruit the depleted ranks of the Union army. New Hamp- shire had up to that time sent to the front twenty-six thousand soldiers, and yet not a complete set of the muster-rolls of a single organization could be found in the adjutant-general's office, nor was there any rec- ord of the heroic deeds of New Hampshire's sons upon the battle-fields of the South, which had won for them and her imperishable renown.

General Head brought to his work a natural love of the military and everything connected with it, as well as business methods formed during his life of activity in the marts of trade, which he brought to bear in bringing "order out of chaos" in his new field of

labor. Entering at once upon his duties, he employed three clerks upon his own responsibility, procuring the necessary outfit, trusting in the Legislature to reim- burse him, which it promptly did, and made liberal appropriations for continuing the work. It is scarcely possible to conceive the magnitude of the task which General Head had undertaken, nor its apparent hope- lessness. He had no data from which to work, no record, no files of correspondence. Beginning at the very commencement of the war, the records of every officer and every enlisted man was persistently hunted up, special clerks were dispatched to Washington, and after repeated rebuffs, overcome only by the persist- ency of the adjutant-general, permission was obtained from the War Department to copy from its records the needed information, and for several weeks these clerks labored in season and out of season until they had secured the records songht. This information was compiled in the office at Concord, corrected as far as possible, and now appears in four volumes for the years 1865 and 1866. These reports give the name and the military history of every officer and soldier who went from New Hampshire to serve in the Union army from 1861 to 1865. They also contain biographical sketches of all the field officers from the State who were killed in service or who died from disease or wounds during the war, brief sketches of all the regi- ments and battalions in which these men served, their date of departure, principal movements, battles en- gaged in and date of return home and final "muster- out." These reports are invaluable, not only as a con- tribution to history, which the State could not afford to lose, but also to the thousands of soldiers, their wives and children, as a positive help in securing the information necessary for the procurement of pensions and bounty-money. Had his labors ended here, Natt Head would have richly earned the warm feelings of admiration and love which every true soldier enter- tains for his memory. But he supplemented the cler- ical labors of his position by active and earnest per- sonal work in behalf of the soldiers and their families during the latter part of the war and at its close ; and hetook a pardonable pride in gathering all the precious relics of " the bitter struggle " which he could obtain, and placed them under the dome of the State-Honse in Concord.

The significance of the labor of love was fully rec- ognized by Governor Smyth at the time, and in his valedictory address to the Legislature in 1867 he paid General Head the following tribute :

" In the difficult adjustment of our military affairs, you will agree with me in a warm approval of the energy and efficiency of the adjutant-general, whose work has been, in all cases, well performed. When it has been my grateful duty to extend a welcoming hand, in behalf of the people of this State, to our brave returning soldiers, he has forwarded my purpose with unflagging interest and zeal. You will not for- get that around his department all the memories of

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the contest now cluster. The long roll of honor is there. There are gathered the blood-stained battle- flags and there will always be found those associations which should inspire us with love of country and an appreciation of those who gave their lives and shed their blood for the blessings which God bestowed when he gave us the victory."

In addition to the compilation of the Civil War records General Head, not satisfied with what he had accom- plished, proceeded to compile the military records of the State from 1823 to 1861, and amid discourage- ments that would have deterred one less persistent, the records were completed and published in the report for 1866. This part of the report is a valuable con- tribution to the military history of the State and nation, and of priceless worth to posterity. In 1867, General Head conceived the idea of issuing the "Sol- dier's Certificate " to the honorably discharged soldiers of the State, and to the families of those who had fal- len, and to-day thousands of these memorials in many homes bear mute but touching testimony to the truth and earnestness of the love born by the defend- ers of the flag by that generous and patriotic heart now stilled in death, Nothing ever pleased him more than to be present with the comrades of the Grand Army at their social gatherings. He would sacrifice every other engagement to meet them.

He had a personal acquaintance with Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, and was several times invited to join them in their trips through the coun- try. In the financial world Governor Head stood high, and he had established for himself a reputation for energy and taet in business which gave him at all times the confidence of the people. Associated with his brother, William F. Head, and Frank Doust, of Manchester, the firm have taken some of the heav- iest building contracts ever made in New Hampshire. In the financial world Governor Head was chosen to many responsible positions. He was director of Sun- eook Valley Railroad, First National Bank, Manches- ter, also of Merrimack River Savings-Bank, Manches- ter. He was a prominent member of several secret organizations and was especially active in Free-Ma- sonry, being a member of Washington Lodge, Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, Adoniram Council and Trinity Commandery of Manchester.

He was also a member of the Supreme Council, having received all the degrees of the " Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite " and all in the Rite of Mem- phis ; also a member of the Massachusetts Consistory, S. P. E. S., 32º, Boston. He was a member of Friend- ship Lodge, Hooksett, Hildreth Encampment, of Sun- cook, 1. O. O. F., Oriental Lodge, K. of P., Alpha Lodge, K. of H., of Manchester, and had been Master of Hooksett Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. As a leading member or president of the State Agricultural Society, he labored zealously to promote its interests, and originated the plan of holding farmers' conven- tions, the first one being held in Manchester in 1868.

In 1875 he was a candidate for the State Senate, when the controversy occurred over the spelling of his name upon the ballots. He was, however, elected to that body in 1866-77, in the latter year becoming the pre- siding officer, discharging the duties of that office with admirable tact and ability. This position added to his popularity and gave his name such a prestige that in September, 1878, at the Republican Gubernatorial Convention, he was nominated on the first ballot by a decided majority and was elected for two years, being the first Governor to serve in the biennial term, and so was not a candidate for re-election. During his term of offiee there were many important questions which arose whose consideration demanded good sense, wis- dom and impartial judgment, and it was generally acknowledged by all that his term was eminently sue- cessful, creditable alike to his own ability and fidelity and to the fame of the State in which he so honorably served.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 94

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