USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Northfield > History of Northfield, New Hampshire 1780-1905: In Two Parts with Many Biographical Sketches and. > Part 16
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LAWYERS.
Northfield has given birth to six who have chosen the practice of law for their life work, and three others have made their home here with office in Tilton Village.
Hon. Asa P. Cate, Hon. William A. Gile,
Augustus Clark, Samuel W. Forrest,.
Benjamin A. Rogers,
Hon. Lucien B. Clough,
Oliver L. Cross,
Hon. James O. Lyford.
Hon. Francis A. Chase,
Rev. B. A. Rogers afterwards became a clergyman. (See por- trait and sketch in Ministers of Northfield.)
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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.
HON, A. P. CATE. (See portrait.)
ASA PIPER CATE was born in that part of Sanbornton, which is now called Tilton Highlands, June 1, 1813, the son of Simeon and Lydia (Durgin) Cate. The Sanbornton town history is in error in saying that he was born in Northfield. His parents removed to this town when he was a small child. His ancestry can now be given more fully than in, the volume just mentioned, Asa Piper 7 (Simeon, Jr., 6, Sim- eon, Sr., 5, James 4, James 3, Edward 2, James 1) Cate, the first of this family being found as a carpenter at Portsmouth in 1657. (See a recent pamphlet, "The Cate-Cates Family of New England.")
The family were of Portsmouth, Greenland and Stratham before James 4 came to Sanbornton in 1767.
The subject of this sketch was brought up in Northfield, attended the academies of Sanbornton Bridge, Sanbornton Square and Bos- cawen and afterwards read law with Judge George W. Nesmith of Franklin, beginning in December, 1834. He was admitted to the bar in August, 1838, and at once began practice at Sanbornton Bridge, making his home in Northfield for the rest of his life.
He married, September 2, 1840, Clara, daughter of James and Abagail Ladd Proctor of Franklin, a lady of fine presence, of high standards, a fine contralto singer and devoted churchwoman. They had two children, Clara Morton and Abbie Josephine, wife of Rev. Lucius Waterman. The former, born May 30, 1841, was a graduate of Troy Female Seminary, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., class of 1862. The latter, Abbie, born October 3, 1849, was for years an accomplished teacher on the pianoforte. Dr. Waterman is rector of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church at Hanover.
Judge Cate lived a very quiet and simple life, a man wholly without self-seeking but crowned with the absolute confidence of the com- munity and much sought after for the holding of offices and trusts. Thus he was moderator at the town elections for all the years, with but two exceptions, from 1838 to 1874, the year of his death, and at seven presidential elections, first in 1844, and then consecutively from 1852 to 1872. He was a representative from Northfield in the state Legislatures of 1839, 1840, 1864, 1865, 1866, a member of the state Senate in 1844 and 1845, and president of the Senate in the latter year. He was Democratic candidate for governor in 1858, 1859 and 1860; county solicitor of Merrimack County, 1845-'51; judge of pro- bate for the same county, 1871-'74, resigning a few weeks before his death. He was also a railroad commissioner for three years, be- ginning from 1849, when railroad men were making their early struggles. He served in the state militia, reaching the rank of colonel; was a trustee of the New Hampshire Conference Seminary and secre- tary of the board for some years; and president of the Citizens' Na- tional Bank of Tilton from its organization in 1865. He was also one of the foremost founders and for years the chief helper of the Episcopal
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JUDGE ASA P. CATE.
HON. LUCIEN BONAPARTE CLOUGH.
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PROFESSIONAL MEN AND WOMEN.
Church. His life was cut short by painful disease in his 61st year, the date of his death being December 12, 1874.
Judge Cate was a man singularly respected and beloved. To give some little definiteness to this memorial, we add brief extracts from the address delivered at his funeral by the Rev. Dr. Herrick:
"It is no small thing to have had such a life lived among us, so pure and blameless and above reproach; so graced with dignity and man- liness of character, and withal so Christian."
"Think how as a lawyer he discouraged unnecessary litigation, and honestly set himself to compose differences, and to bring about an understanding between disagreeing parties. How he has labored, both by precept and example, to set forth peace and godly quietness in neighborhoods and families, and among all those with whom he had to do, and has his part in the blessing pronounced on the peace-makers!"
"And finally, are not his deeds still with us, in some of their main results, at least? He was a man of deeds rather than of words. If he was reserved in speech, so much so as at times to appear reticent, yet he thought the more; and his thoughts were fruitful-productive seed-plots from which issued well-considered plans for the glory of God and the good of others."
LUCIEN BONAPARTE CLOUGH. (See portrait.)
HON. LUCIEN B. CLOUGH, one of the pioneer citizens of Manchester and a highly respected lawyer, died July 28, 1895. He was born in North- field, April 17, 1823, a son of Joseph and Mehitable (Chase) Clough. His parents moved to Canterbury when he was quite. young. He was a great-grandson of Capt. Jeremiah Clough, who commanded the first military company raised in that town for the Revolutionary War, while his father, Hon. Joseph Clough, was a member of the executive council in 1848 and 1849. He attended the Canterbury schools, Tilton Sem- inary and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1850. He taught school in his earlier days and in 1853 settled in Manchester, opening a law business which he continued until his death. He was judge of pro- bate for Hillsborough County from 1874 to 1876 and served many years as a trustee of the city library.
Judge Clough was a born lawyer and a thorough gentleman of the old school. Many of his clients placed important trusts and estates in his hands, which were carefully and honestly managed year after year. He was exceedingly exact and conscientious in all his dealings. His word was as good as his bond. By his own sterling integrity he accumulated a handsome property.
His insight in financial matters was remarkable. His years of ex- perience in probate matters made him generally sought after to ad- just business in banking and real estate lines. His reliability was never questioned; his rare judgment was always to be depended upon. He probably wrote more wills, deeds, leases and insurance policies
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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.
than any other lawyer in the city. He was a director of the Amoskeng National Bank and a trustee of the Amoskeag Savings Bank. He was clerk of the Manchester Gas Light Company many years and also con- ducted a large insurance business.
Judge Clough was a man of rare literary attainment, having a strong taste for history. He was devoted to his family, constant in his support of the church with which he was identified, loyal to the state and city, true to his friends and affable to all. In a thoroughly straightforward, honest, manly way he won and held a place among the strong men who made Manchester what she was. After nearly 40 years of well-directed activity, disease struck him down and im- posed upon others the duties he had discharged so faithfully and well.
He married Maria Louise Dole at Augusta, Me., November 20, 1856. She was born at Alma, Me., January 29, 1834, and was the daughter of Albert Gallatin and Rebecca (Ford) Dole. Their children were: Rebecca Louise, born at Manchester, December 16, 1863, and Albert Lucien, born in the same city, June 24, 1869. The former married Sherman Leland Whipple at Manchester, December 27, 1893. He was born at New London, March 4, 1862. They have three children: Dor- othy, born at Quebec, Canada; Katharyn Carleton, born at Brookline, Mass .; and Sherman Leland, Jr., born in the same place.
Albert Lucien married Sarah Hunt at Manchester, February 28, 1905. She was the daughter of Nathan Parker Hunt of that city.
OLIVER LYFORD CROSS.
OLIVER L. Cross was born at Northfield June 11, 1836. His early life was spent on the farm and in his father's extensive lumber mill. He attended the New Hampshire Conference Seminary and fitted for college at Franklin Academy. He was graduated from Dartmouth in 1862, having taught winters during his entire college and preparatory course. At graduation he had the class honor of delivering the farewell address to the president and faculty. In 1862 he was appointed re- cruiting agent for Northfield to fill up the town's quota of soldiers for the war, a position which he held until the last call was satisfied. He read law with Messrs. Pike and Barnard at Franklin and was ad- mitted to the New Hampshire bar April 6, 1865, and practised with the late Attorney-General Barnard one year. Most of the year 1866 was spent in travel in the South and West and, January 1, 1867, he located in Montgomery City, Mo., where he practised until 1873. He was city attorney from 1867 to 1870; mayor in 1870-'71; director and clerk of Masonic Hall Association from 1868 to 1872; and was also director and clerk of North Missouri Agricultural and Mechanical Association.
He returned at his father's death to New Hampshire, where he en- gaged in farming, insurance and local law practice at Northfield until 1893. He then removed to Concord. He is a Mason and Knight Tem- plar.
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HON. W. A. GILE.
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PROFESSIONAL MEN AND WOMEN.
He married, November 16, 1866, Lucy R. Hill of Northfield and had two sons and a daughter. (See Cross gen.) Mrs. Cross was a teacher for many years previous to her marriage. She graduated from New Hampshire Conference Female College in 1860 and had charge, as superintendent, of the schools of the town from 1878 to 1886 and en- joys the honor of being chosen to write the history of her native town in 1904. (See Hill gen. and frontispiece.)
COL. WILLIAM A' GILE. (See portrait.)
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS GILE, third son of Alfred A. Gile, was born in Northfield on his mother's 32d birthday, June 5, 1843. He was educated in the public schools and the nearby academies of Tilton and Frank- lin. He was much impressed with the district school system in which his father had been active for many years as superintendent and had reconstructed at his own expense the Hodgdon schoolhouse at a cost of $300 without remuneration, save what his own and other children got in the added interest they felt in new surroundings and the in- creased love of the Noah Proctor and James N. Forrest style of ora- tory. The school was a mile and a half distant, the academy, three, and the Seminary, four miles.
In 1862 he enlisted in the army and, with his younger brother, Frank, then but 17 years of age, was with General Banks at Louisiana, at the Achafalyer River and swamps. Many of the regiment died of disease there and both Mr. Gile and his brother returned in 1863, out of health from disease also contracted there. (See Boys in Blue.)
He re-entered the army in October, 1864, as captain of Company E, Eighteenth New Hampshire Regiment. Before their departure for the front, his company visited Franklin, where he was presented by Judge Nesmith with his sword, who also reviewed the company, which Captain Gile commanded until the close of the war. He was assigned to the Army of the Potomac under General Meade, being soon de- tailed as a member of the general court martial of that division.
He was with his company at the final assault on Fort Steadman in March, 1865, and at the capture of Petersburg by the Union army. He was discharged in June, 1865, and in August of the same year went to Texas with General Sheridan to expel the French from Mexico, which was accomplished without a conflict but with a show of force in the encampment of 30,000 black men on the shores of the Rio Grande and the gentle suggestion by the then secretary of state, Mr. Seward, "that the United States would not look with indifference upon · the attempt to establish a monarchy upon the borders of this repub- lic," and in consequence Marshal Bajaine retired to France with his army of French soldiers, containing over 30,000 men.
Upon the retirement of the French from Mexico, the army, of which Captain Gile was an officer, was disbanded and, in the fall of 1867, he returned home and entered the office of A. F. Pike and I. N. Blod-
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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.
gett of Franklin as a student at law. From there, after a year's time, during which he attended court at the sessions in Merrimack County, he entered Harvard Law School and, after completing his studies, entered the profession in 1869 as co-partner with Hon. Whiting Gris- wold of Greenfield, Mass., where he continued to practice until 1871. He then went to Worcester and began the practice of law with Charles A. Merrill, Esqa his class and roommate at Harvard. From that date he has continued to practice his profession there and is called one of the ablest jury advocates of the Worcester bar.
He was married in 1873 to Clara A. Dewing and had two children: William W., now of New York City, and Minnie Helen, wife of Walter F. Woods, a lawyer of New York. He married (second), in 1878, Mary Greene Waitt and has three children: Alfred D. Gile, a cor- poral in the First Heavy Artillery in the Spanish War; Margaret, living at home; and Lawrence B., now in Clark College.
Mr. Gile represented the City of Worcester in the Legislature of the commonwealth and was a member of the National Republican Conven- tion in 1888, going on the stump for Grant and Harrison. Colonel Gile was, also, for five years commander of the Worcester Conti- nentals and had, also, during that time the Putnam Phalanx of Hart- ford and the Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester. June 17 being the annual field day of the three commands, they met as a brigade on Bunker Hill day. Their last meeting was at Charlestown, June 17, 1895.
SAMUEL WARREN FORREST. (See portrait.)
SAMUEL WARREN FORREST was born July 8, 1861, on the old farm in East Northfield, where his great-grandfather James lived, and where his grandfather Samuel and father, James Forrest, were born, lived and died. On this farm he spent the years of his early manhood, years filled with the toils that make up the farmer's life-the hoeing and haying, the ploughing, planting and reaping, which follow each other in ceaseless rotation through the changing seasons. A few weeks in each year were spent in the little schoolhouse on the corner, known as the Rand school, where, aided by a strong love of knowledge for its own sake, he mastered the rudiments of learning and laid a good foundation for future attainments. He was graduated from Tilton Seminary in June, 1884, the orator of his class. In September of that year he went West and spent two years of varied experience in Mis- souri and Kansas.
After working for sometime in Kansas City, he pre-empted govern- ment land in Ness County, Kansas, built a sod house and lived the re- quired length of time on his quarter section. For several months he taught school in a sod dugout on the prairie and won the respect of a score or two of Western boys and girls. He had some exciting ad- ventures herding cattle, riding untrained horses and in encounters
SAMUEL WARREN FORREST.
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PROFESSIONAL MEN AND WOMEN.
with still more untrained human beings, and in the summer of 1886 gladly returned to the different civilization of the East.
In January, 1887, he entered Boston University Law School, where he accomplished the work of three years in one and one half years, graduating in June, 1888, cum laude. He was admitted to practice in the highest court of Massachusetts in March, 1889. For four years he was with the law firm of Niles & Carr in Lynn and then opened an office in Boston, where he has ever since been in active practice. He was admitted to practice in the United States Circuit Court in 1894, and was appointed out of a dozen applicants master in chancery for Middlesex County in 1898, which office he still holds. He now oc- cupies a suite of three rooms in the Winthrop building and is busy with a constantly increasing practice.
Mr. Forrest inherits a logical mind from his grandfather, Samuel Forrest, whose good judgment was often referred to by his fellow townsmen, and a certain legal acumen from his father, who was often called upon to give advice or to perform other legal duties. Some of the courage and persistency of his ancestors, who braved the difficulties and faced the dangers of the wilderness in the old home-seeking days, have come down to this son of the house of Forrest and, together with an individual determination, which cannot be daunted, and a belief that nothing is impossible to him who dares attempt, have helped him gain a foothold in the great city, where he is making a name and a place for himself in his profession.
Mr. Forrest is a member of the Highland Club of Melrose, the New Hampshire Club, the Essex Bar Association and the Middlesex Bar Association.
He married, October 29, 1890, Susie R. Paul of Boston and has one child, Helen Pauline, born May 20, 1893. They have a pleasant home at Melrose Highlands.
CLERGYMEN.
Many of the students of the New Hampshire Conference Sem- inary entered the ministry. Though they spent a long time among us, you will have to look in the alumni catalogue of that institution for their record.
Six, who have had their birth in town, became clergymen and one, whose parents removed here during his childhood.
Rev. B. A. Rogers (see subjoined sketch and portrait), Rev. John Clough Tebbetts and Rev. Sylvanus Dearborn were Epis- copalians.
Revs. Jeremiah and Charles H. Hannaford, brothers, were Methodists. (See genealogies: )
Revs. Oren Jerome Hancock and Samuel F. Lougee were Bap- tists. (See genealogies.)
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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.
REV. BENJAMIN A. ROGERS. (See portrait.)
BENJAMIN A. ROGERS was born at Northfield September 15, 1823. He was carefully reared by his mother, who was left with a large farm and other interests when the subject of this sketch was but two years old.
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He was an apt scholar and his ambitions to become educated were carefully cherished by his resolute mother, who always sought the best for herself and hers. He was a pupil of Prof. Dyer H. Sanborn at the academy and became a teacher when a mere boy. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1846, beginning the practice of law at Gilmanton.
He married (first) Viola Rundlett of Sanbornton and had two chil- dren, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Rogers died June 27, 1850. He married (second) Addie Rundlett and had a son, Willie Knowles, and a daughter, Lucy Viola. The former removed South with his father and became a physician. He died in early manhood. The latter died, October 6, 1862, in infancy. Mrs. Rogers (second) died August 15, 1862. He married (third) Jennie Brinsmade, and (fourth) Susan Pusey.
Mr. Rogers died at Houston Heights, Texas, March 15, 1904. She still resides there, as does his only living child, Mrs. Susan Rogers Tempest, and his two grandchildren, Susie Elizabeth, aged four, and Benjamin Tempest, aged nine years.
In 1848 Mr. Rogers formed a partnership with the late Hon. Asa P. Cate and continued the practice of law until 1860, when, his health failing, he removed South, where he took clerical orders and entered the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church in December, 1863. He was a distinguished and brilliant speaker and held important rectorships at Downington, Penn., Austin, Waco, Georgetown and Houston Heights, Tex.
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TEACHERS.
JOSEPH GILE.
Joseph, eldest son of Alfred A. and Lucinda M. Gile, was born at Pottsville, Penn., October 14, 1835. He removed to Northfield with his parents in 1841. He grew, even when a boy, to be a great lover of books and music, a taste he had small opportunities for gratifying. His father, an educated man, spared no pains to give his children all avail- able opportunities. He had a great desire to learn the languages and began the study of Latin at 12 years of age.
His first academic work was at the Tyler Academy at Franklin and, later, at the Seminary at Tilton. He completed his preparatory course and entered the freshman class at Dartmouth in March, 1854, six months in advance, when 17 years of age. He went at once, on grad- uating to Clarence, N. Y., as principal of the high school, with his
REV. B. A. ROGERS.
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MARY M. GILE.
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PROFESSIONAL MEN AND WOMEN. .
sister and several assistants. Two years later he took a similar po- sition at Warsaw, N. Y. Here he enjoyed the acquaintance and friend- ship of Governor Pattison, a brother of Mrs. Mark Baker of Tilton, his father's friend. An increase of salary lured him to Huntington, L. I., and, later, to Brooklyn, N. Y., and finally placed him at the head of the New Haven schools. Here he remained in various ca- pacities, as teacher, supervisor and business man, for 20 years. He visited European cities to study school methods and school archi-\ tecture. He had a great love of the beautiful and abroad and every- where collected works of art and vertu. His last teaching was as tutor for the sons of wealthy men who were fitting for special courses at Yale.
He commenced the scientific study of music while at Hanover, but had little need of masters, as he inherited from his mother, a lovely German lady, a natural aptitude for it and made it a lifelong study and pleasure.
In 1886 he returned to the homestead and continued its improve- ment and embellishment until his death. Walls were built, drains opened, trees planted, springs enlarged into ponds and water courses made lovely by masonry and rustic bridges, and all the various com- forts attached to a first-class country estate secured. Here he retired in 1896 to spend his remaining life with his sisters in the quiet en- joyment of well-earned leisure. He died, after a short illness, August 6, 1898.
MARY MARGARET GILE. (See portrait.)
MARY MARGARET GILE was born at Northfield March 28, 1837, and died at the homestead, unmarried, December 12, 1898. She was edu- cated in the common schools of Northfield, Franklin Academy and the New Hampshire Conference Seminary, and made teaching her life- work, in which she showed remarkable industry. . Her worth is noted in the following from the Orange (N. J.) Woman's Club records and "New Hampshire Women," in both of which associations she took great delight:
"Miss Mary Margaret Gile was well born and happily endowed. Family traditions increased this inheritance and her early life among the New Hampshire hills made it rich indeed. Her ancestors fought in the most noted battles of the Revolution. Her father, the late Alfred A. Gile, was a man of fine integrity, who held his children to strict account, both for their morals and their manners, while the quiet influence of the mother supplemented that of the father. After a thorough training in the schools of New Hampshire and Massachu- setts, Miss Gile entered upon her lifework as preceptress of the Clarence . Academy at Clarence, N. Y., where she was associated with her brother, Joseph. She next became preceptress of the Warsaw Academy at War- saw, N. Y., where she remained nine years. In each of these positions
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she displayed that skill which has brought her such signal success. After short terms at Cleveland, Ohio, and Worcester, Mass., she began her work at East Orange, N. J., where she resided with her youngest brother, Dr. Francis A. Gile. Many a successful man and woman owes to Miss Gile the mental and moral impetus received in the high school of this town. Here she closely identified herself with her sur- roundings, being an active member of Christ Church and its Sunday School, also of the Daughters of the Revolution, the Woman's Club of Orange, and the Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. Besides her articles -for the newspaper and her essays, Miss Gile contributed an article en- titled, 'Individual Influence upon our Nation,' to the New Jersey scrap- book for the World's Fair. Her paper on the 'History of Education,' written for the school of pedagogy of the University of New York, re- ceived favorable comment from our best educators. She graduated from this university and may truly be considered one of the pro- gressive women of our time. Her personality was quiet but strong; her life, noble, true and effective."
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CHAPTER IX. MISCELLANEOUS.
BURYING GROUNDS.
Five generations of men and women, who were participants in the activities of Northfield, repose peacefully in its bosom, in its quiet enclosures. It was the prevailing custom in the early days to bury the dead amid the shade of the orchard or on some sunny hillside, near the scene of their activities. As the ancestral homes passed to the ownership of others, the plan was found to be un- wise and many were disinterred and taken to the larger public grounds. With the exception of possibly a half dozen places, this has been true of Northfield. A sizeable place in nearly every school district offers free lots to the surrounding families. Many desiring more pretentious beds for their last sleep have been laid to rest by the shore of the Winnipiseogee in Park Cemetery, Tilton.
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