History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 102

Author: Hazlett, Charles A
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 1390

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DAVID FLYNN, deceased, was a well known citizen of Portsmouth, N. H., where for many years he operated a bakery with a high degree of success. He was a self made man, rising from ordinary circumstances in early life to a position of affluence. His widow, Mrs. Susan D. Flynn, continues to reside in Portsmouth, where she is surrounded by her children and many friends of long years standing.

Mr. Flynn was born in Ireland in 1838, and was a son of James D. and Honorah (Mahoney) Flynn, both of whom died in the United States. There were four children in the family: Margaret, deceased; Dennis, Ellen, deceased, and David. The last named received a brief educa- tional training in the public schools of England, and was quite young when he accompanied his parents to Portsmouth, N. H. In this city he passed the remainder of his life. He learned the trade of a baker, but an abundance of energy and ambition did not permit him to rest content as an employee. He labored industriously until he had ac- cumulated sufficient means to purchase an establishment of his own. He bought the bakery of Mr. Perry and by the production of a superior quality of goods and careful management he prospered beyond ex- pectations. He continued the business with uninterrupted success until his death in 1903. Possessed of the attributes of true manhood and a pleasing manner, he had the faculty of winning the friendship and high regard of everyone with whom he was brought in contact.

David Flynn was united in marriage with Susan D. McPherson, who was born in the north of Ireland, and is a daughter of Paul and Jane (Ferris) McPherson, also natives of that country. Her father was a veterinary surgeon, both in his own land and in America, where he located in the provinces. He and his wife had the following chil- dren: John, William, Thomas, James, Fred, Bernard and Susan D. (Flynn). Mr. and Mrs. Flynn became parents of six children : James, who conducts a bakery on State Street, Portsmouth; David H .; Fred; Thomas ; Nora Elizabeth ; and Jennie, who is dead. Religiously the fam-

MOSES B. DOW

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ily attends the Catholic Church. The mother lives on her fine farm of sixty-five acres at No. 1219 Maplewood Avenue. Mr. Flynn was a Republican in politics.

JAMES GOODWIN PERKINS, general farmer and dairyman of the town of Rye, was born in this town September 24, 1876, a son of James Henry and Mary Charlotte (Goodwin) Perkins. His parents reside in Rye, the father being an apple merchant, doing business largely in Boston. Their children were: Ada, who died in her twelfth year; James, the subject of this sketch, and Christina, wife of Fred L. Dow; Josephine and Elizabeth, twin sisters, both of whom are married. Jose- phine is the wife of William Parker Straw, and her children are Ezekiel Albert, Mary Parker and Josephine. Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph P. Connor and has three children, Elizabeth, Geraldine and Joseph P., Jr.

James G. Perkins began his education in the common schools of Rye, N. H., afterwards attending school at South Berwick, Me., and still later taking a commercial course in Boston. He has since devoted his attention to farming and dairying, renting the home farm, which con- tains 100 acres, from his father. He was married February II, 1911, to Agnes Emerson, who was born in Bradford, Me., a daughter of Dr. Frederick and Mary (Duff) Emerson. Her father died in 1904, her mother being now a resident of Portland, Me. Their children were Agnes, Theodora and John C. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have one son, James Abram. Mr. Perkins and family attend the Congregational church. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

FORREST S. DAVIS, who has served as chief of police of Plaistow, N. H., since 1900, has evidenced a high order of efficiency as a public servant, as is evidenced by the support accorded him by the people. In addition to his official duties, he has been highly successful as a chicken raiser and fancier, making a specialty of the Rhode Island Red.

Mr. Davis was born in Plaistow, N. H., May 25, 1867, and is a son of Isaac Davis, and a grandson of Moses Davis, both natives of Plais- tow. Isaac Davis was born in January, 1828, and followed agriculture. He married Melvina L. Lovering and their children are as follows : George W .; Mary C., wife of H. S. Kelly; Harry A .; Marnie T .. wife of Rev. A. D. Palmer; and Forrest S.

Forrest S. Davis received his educational training in the public schools of Plaistow and in Newton High School. His first regular em- ployment was in a shoe shop in Haverhill. He continued in that line of work until 1901, when he started in the chicken business in Plaistow. He has some eight hundred hens of the Rhode Island Red variety, and has an established reputation in this line of business. He has always been active in a political way and has been frequently called upon to fill local offices. In 1893 he was elected constable of Plaistow and in 1903 was made chief of police, an office which he has filled con- tinuously since.

Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss, Malvean E. Webster, who died December 28, 1903, just eight days after the birth of their only child, Walter W., who was born on December 20th of that year. In 1906 he formed a second union with Miss Lena E. Tourtilotte, and

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they have a daughter, Elizabeth T., born November 12, 1907. Fra- ternally Mr. Davis is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, the Junior Order United American Mechanics, and the N. O. P.

THOMAS J. KEANE, a successful business man of Exeter, who has advanced his interests through thrift, good management and pro- gressive methods, is the proprietor of a large grocery and provision store and has a trade territory of wide extent. Mr. Keane was born in Ireland, January 6, 1869, and is a son of Thomas M. and Mary (Lohan) Keane. His parents were Irish born and his mother still lives in the old home place. The father was a carpenter and also a farmer and died in Ireland in January, 1901. Faithful members of the Catholic church, they reared their family in that faith, their seven children being : Michael, John, Thomas J., Patrick, Richard, Mary and Nora, the last named being the wife of John Lardner. Mary is in a convent at Haver- hill, Mass.

Until he was sixteen years of age, Thomas J. Keane attended school regularly and seems to have been a very apt pupil as it is told of him that when thirteen years old his teacher had so much confidence in his scholarship, as well as his good conduct, that the coveted appoint- ment as monitor was given him, that entitled him to the dignified posi- tion of teacher every half hour, the other half being given to study. His sensible father then decided to apprentice him to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for two years. He was eighteen years old when he left the old home for America and after reaching the United States located first at Amesbury, Mass., where he worked for one year as a carriage maker and for a year more at Haverhill, as a carpenter. Then he came to Exeter and for the next fifteen years was employed in a shoe factory, for three years having charge of the packing room at the Gale Bros. factory. After leaving there he looked about for a profitable and promising investment for his capital and in 1905 bought his present business from J. M. La Valley. He has greatly increased its scope and volume and handles all commodities included as groceries and provisions, keeping two teams and two men busy. He has some valuable real estate holdings including his comfortable residence on the corner of Winter and Dartmouth streets.

Mr. Keane was married in 1900 to Miss Alice W. Mullen, a native of Exeter and a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Mckeon) Mullen, natives of Ireland. The father is a machinist by trade, and during the Civil War in the United States served as soldier. His children are: Alice W., John V., Francis A., and Elizabeth, wife of Harry Walton. Mr. and Mrs. Keane have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Hubart Gallant, of Rochester, N. Y., and they have one son, Thomas Leo. The entire family belongs to the Catholic church. Mr. Keane votes independently. He belongs to the A. O. H., is a charter member of the local lodge of Red Men and for the past eleven years has been treasurer of the Foresters of America. He is recognized as a man of sterling business principles and is highly respected in this section in which he has made his home for so many years.

JOHN D. KELLY, a general farmer in the town of Newington, owning seventy-five acres of land, divided into two farms of forty-five

CHARLES JOSIAH SMITH

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and thirty acres respectively, on the former of which he lives, was born in Boston, Mass., during the Civil war, his parents being John and Cath- erine (Dunn) Kelly. The father, who worked at the tailor's trade in Boston, was a native of Ireland; the mother of England. Both are de- ceased and are buried in Boston. Their children were Stephen J., John D., George and Frank.

John D. Kelly was educated in the public schools of Boston, and there learned the tailor's trade with his father, which he followed for about twelve or fifteen years. He then came to Rockingham county and bought the D. Pickering farm, on which he now resides. He is an independent voter and has served the town as supervisor and auditor. Mr. Kelly married Mrs. Grace E. Carkin, widow of George O. Carkin. She was born in Portsmouth, N. H., a daughter of George and Lavina (Venner) Hodgdon, both natives of this county, her father being a farmer. Her parents, who were members of the Congregational church, are both deceased and are buried in Newington. They had six children-George, who died in the Civil war; Mary, deceased; Charles; Grace E., who is now Mrs. Kelly; James, deceased, and John Edwin. By her first marriage Mrs. Kelly had three children: James, who is a farmer in Newington; Lillian G., wife of Lewis de Foe, and George, who is now deceased. Mrs. Kelly attends the Christian Science church.

ARTHUR L. TURCOTTE, a well known merchant of New Mar- ket, N. H., where he is proprietor of an up-to-date hardware store, and also of a grocery store, both doing a good business, was born at St. Norbert, Province of Quebec, Canada, October 1, 1880. He is a son of William and Philomene (Bilodeau) Turcotte, who came to New Market in 1890. After arriving here with his parents young Turcotte found employment in the mill, where he worked for ten years. He then entered the grocery store of N. J. Brisson, for whom he worked four years, at the end of which time he bought the grocery store of J. Fil- lion, which he operated successfully for seven years, and still owns it. In November, 1913, he engaged in the hardware business at No. 117 Main Street, where he now has the largest store in town. Both stores have an excellent patronage and Mr. Turcotte is now numbered among the prosperous and substantial citizens of the town. A Democrat in politics, he served as town treasurer of New Market in 1909 and 1910, was selectman in 1913 and 1914, in the present year being chairman of the board.

On June 18, 1906, Mr. Turcotte was married to Miss Rose DeLima Lembert, of St. Norbert, P. Q., Canada. They are the parents of six children, namely: Leo, born May 24, 1907; Florence, May 18, 1908; Marguerite, Jan. 7, 1910; Romeo, July 1, 1911 ; Emile, Feb. 23, 1913. and Juliette, July 3, 1914. Mrs. Rose D. Turcotte died August 14, 1914. Mr. Turcotte is president of the French-Canadian society, St. Jean Baptiste ; president of the Lafayette Club, and president of the society known as Artisans Canadians-Francais. He is a very popular citizen, not only among his own people but among the people of the town generally, and takes an active interest in all measures calculated to benefit the community.

CHARLES JOSIAH SMITH, who died in Exeter, N. H .. January 17, 1893, was a life long resident of that town, having been born there Septem-

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

ber II, 1848, a son of Charles C. and Mary W. (Berry) Smith, and a grand- son of Josiah Coffin Smith. Charles C. Smith was born in Exeter, grew to manhood there and for many years followed the occupation of painter. His wife, Mary W. (Berry) Smith, was a native of Pittsfield. N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Smith were the parents of four children, of whom but one, Mrs. Helen G. Moulton, is now living.

Charles Josiah Smith grew to manhood in Exeter, attended both the .com- mon and high school there, but left high school before graduating to enter Burlingame's Machine Shop in Exeter as an apprentice. He thoroughly learned the machinist's trade and worked for that one concern over twenty- eight years, up to the time of his death. Mr. Burlingame, for whom he worked so many years, says of him that in all the time he worked there he never once even asked for more pay nor did he ever think of leaving. Al- though he never asked for more pay, still his services were highly valued by Mr. Burlingame, and at the time of his death he was receiving the highest salary paid to any machinist in the shop. He was a steady, industrious work- man and accumulated some very valuable real estate in Exeter. He never married but continued to reside in the old Smith home on High street, Exeter, in which he was born, and in which his only surviving sister, Mrs. Moulton, still resides, until his death.

His only fraternal affiliation was with the I. O. O. F., and although he never aspired to political honors, his steady worth was recognized by his fel- low townsmen by his election, on the Republican ticket, as a member of the New Hampshire Legislature, he being a member of that body at the time of his death.

GEORGE W. BOWLEY, who resides upon a farm of seventy-five acres in the town of Stratham, Rockingham County, N. H., is en- gaged in general farming and fruit growing. He was born in Exeter, N. H., January 20, 1847, and is a son of James and Catherine (Bishop) Bowley. James Bowley, the father, was a native of Rockingham County, and lived here all his days, being buried in Stratham. His wife was a native of Maine, and her burial was in Exeter. They had two children, William and George W.

George W. Bowley attended the public schools of Stratham and early in life learned the trade of a molder, which he worked at for four years. He enlisted for service in the Union Army as a member of Company C, 12th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. His service began in the spring of 1865, and continued until the war closed. Returning to Stratham, he worked as a farm hand and while thus employed bought his present farm of seventy-five acres. He has always been an indus- trious worker and a careful manager and the success he has attained has been solely through his own efforts.

Mr. Bowley was united in marriage with Miss Hannah L. Stock- bridge of Stratham, a daughter of James and Olive (Lang) Stockbridge. Mr. Stockbridge was a mason by trade but mainly followed agricultural pursuits. They were parents of three children: Phoebe, Isaac. and Hannah (Bowley). Mr. and Mrs. Bowley have one son, George H. Bowley, who married Viola Jewell. In politics our subject is a Demo- crat, and for three years served as selectman. In religious attachment he and Mrs. Bowley are members of the Christian Church.

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JOHN G. JELLISON, manager of the E. H. Winchester estate of 270 acres in the town of Portsmouth, was born in Kennebunk, Me., September 27, 1855, a son of Charles and Emily (Wood) Jellison. His parents, who were natives of Maine, are both now deceased and their remains rest in the cemetery at Kennebunk. The father was a stone mason, which trade he followed most of his life. They had a family of seven children, of whom six are now living.

John G. Jellison attended the common schools of his native state until reaching the age of sixteen years. He then took up farm work, in which he has since been engaged. Coming to Rockingham county at the age of seventeen, he found work on the Daniels farm, where he remained for four years and seven months. He then obtained employ- ment as coachman for Mr. Winchester, retaining that position for six years, at the end of which time he was advanced to his present position and for thirty-one years has been manager of the farm. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Jellison was married in 1878 to Cora J. Norton of Greenland, a daughter of Andrew and Hannah J. (Spinney) Norton, her father being a butcher and cattle dealer. He is still living at the age of eighty- six years: his wife is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jellison attend the Congregational church at Rye.

THEODORE FECTEAU, a prosperous citizen of Westville, Rock- ingham County, N. H., is proprietor of a general store and enjoys a lib- eral patronage. He was born in St. Hycinthe, Canada, and is a son of Theodore, Sr., and Hermine (Cloutier) Fecteau.

Theodore Fecteau, Sr., father of the subject of this record, was born · in St. Hycinthe, Canada, and was ten years old when he came to the town of Plaistow in Rockingham County, N. H. Here he worked for Levi Tucker for a time but later went back to Canada. He remained there until after his marriage, when he returned to Plaistow with his family. He became a brick manufacturer and continued along that line until his death in 1899. A man without educational opportunities or advantages, he became a successful business man and one of Plais- tow's substantial citizens. He was owner of two farms in Canada. He married Hermine Cloutier, also a native of St. Hycinthe, and they reared the following children: Hermine, Agnes, Celina, Delia, Theodore, Hector, Charles, Sabin, Lena, Ovide, Dr. Adlard, who is a practicing physician at Fall River, Mass., and Rosena.

Theodore Fecteau, whose name heads this sketch, was twelve years of age when brought by his parents to New Hampshire. His education was obtained in the schools of Canada, he being for a time enrolled as a student at St. Hycinthe College. His first work after coming to Plaistow was as a clerk, and he continued it in different cities. He then worked in a shoe factory for a time at Haverhill, and in 1900 started a general store at Westville. In 1912, 1913, and 1914 he served as one of the selectmen for the town of Plaistow in a most efficient manner.

In 1880, Mr. Fecteau was joined in marriage with Miss Delia Fon- taine, and they became parents of the following children : Lillian, who was born in 1881 and is the wife of George Lefevre; Millena. wife of John Trembley ; Peter O., who married Mary B. Mondor: Emma.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

who married Louis Dion; Orise; Theodore; Eva, now Mrs. J. B. Du- pras ; Ovide and Hector. Mrs. Delia Fecteau departed this life in October, 1894. Mr. Fecteau formed a second marriage in September, 1895, with Miss Odelie Vaillancourt, and their children are as follows : Oscar, born October 3, 1896; Nelson, born November 10, 1898, and Antoinette, born August 11, 1904. Fraternally Mr. Fecteau is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, the Catholic Foresters and the Artisans.

THOMAS J. LEARY, who was for many years a well known and respected citizen of Portsmouth, N. H., taking an active part in public affairs, was born in Ireland, April 28, 1853, and died April 1, 1903. He was twelve years of age when he came to America with his parents, John and Elizabeth (Scott) Leary, who, in their native land, were en- gaged in farming. In addition to the subject of this sketch they had six other children, Timothy, Anna, Elizabeth, Patrick, Nancy and Ellen.

Thomas J. Leary, after coming to America spent his entire life in Portsmouth, with the exception of five years during which he was en- gaged in mining at Leadville, Colorado. He was for eighteen years em- ployed as brewer at the Portsmouth Brewery, later becoming vice presi- dent and general manager. Industrious and thrifty, he saved money and accumulated property, at his death leaving his widow in good circum- stances. Mr. Leary was a Democrat in politics and for some time served in the common council as alderman, also for three years was a police officer. He was first president of the local branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and also a charter member of the Foresters of America. He was married February 7, 1889, to Ellen Fitzpatrick, who was born in Ireland, a daughter of John and Catherine (Dunn) Fitz- patrick, and who came to America when nineteen years of age. Her parents, who were farming people, remained in their native land. They had quite a large family, consisting of ten children, namely : Margaret, Edward, Ellen, Mary, Alice, Catherine, Bridget, Anna, John and Wil- liam, the last mentioned of whom is now deceased. Five of these children -Margaret, Alice, Catherine, Mary and Ellen, came to America, the others remaining in Ireland.

Mr. and Mrs. Leary were the parents of seven children: Eliza- beth, who died at the age of nineteen years; John T., William T., George E., Helen C., Thomas J., and Margaret J. The two eldest sons, John T. and William T. are members of the Portsmouth Athletic Club, John T. being also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, as was his father. The family belongs to the Catholic church. Mrs. Ellen Leary has a pleasant home, situated on the Ocean Road in the town of Greenland, which property was willed to her by her hus- band. She is highly esteemed and has a wide circle of friends in Ports- mouth and the vicinity.

JOHN R. BUTTON, sole owner of a first class bakery with head- quarters at Exeter, from which supplies are sent to all towns within a radius of twelve miles, is one of the enterprising business men of this city whose industry and energy have brought ample returns. He was born at Malaga, N. J., February 10, 1849, and is a son of John and Mary (Ross) Button, both now deceased. The father was a window- glass worker. He was twice married and to his first union, with Sadie

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Jessings there were three children born: Hannah, Joseph and Samuel. To his second marriage with Mary Ross, five children were born: John R., William R., Christian L., Elizabeth, wife of George Lowden, and Matilda, wife of Charles Duval.

John R. Button never attended any but the district schools and when eighteen years old began a man's work, in a saw mill, where he was assistant engineer for one year. He then made his way to Boston, Mass., and there worked in a restaurant for a short time before coming to Exeter, where he was in the restaurant business for eighteen months, going then to Lawrence, Mass. For four years he was in the employ of one restaurant company at Lawrence and then bought the business and conducted it for nine years and when he sold out came again to Exeter and started into the bakery and grocery business, with his three brothers buying a plant established by Henry Little in 1888. For about two years the brothers were in partnership, when Christian L. sold his interest to William R. and John R. and they continued together until 1905, when John R. bought the interest of William R., and since then has carried on the business by himself. It has grown to large propor- tions, its volume many times increased since its early days and now Mr. Button employs four bakers and eight hands and operates four wagons.

Mr. Button married Miss Abbie C. Buck, who was born at Wilming- ton, Mass., a daughter of Edwin and Elvina (Boals) Buck. Mr. Buck was a farmer well known in Middlesex County. His family consisted of ten children: Mary, Myron, Abbie, Sidney, Herbert, Charlotte, George, Nettie, John and Morris. Mr. and Mrs. Button have had children as follows: Alice, who is the wife of Charles H. McWilliams, who is employed by Mr. Button, has five children, Russell, Kenneth, Marion, Margaret and Marjorie; Marion, who died at the age of four- teen years; and Grace, Helen and Rose. Mr. Button and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a republican in politics and takes an intelligent and experienced man's interest in public affairs. He belongs to the beneficiary order known as the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Button is one of the city's representative men and is respected and esteemed.

DENIS MAHONEY, owner of a farm of sixty-two acres in the town of Greenland, Rockingham County, N. H., and also proprietor of a custom cider mill, was born in this town in 1871. His parents were Thomas and Catherine (Donnelly) Mahoney, both natives of Ireland, but who were married in this country. The father was a landscape gardener. Both are now deceased and are buried in Portsmouth. They had four children : Elizabeth G., who is deceased ; Ellen ; Daniel ; Frances Catherine, wife of John C. McDonough, and Denis, the subject of this. sketch.

Denis Mahoney was educated in the common schools and at Brackett Academy, which he attended for two years. He then began industrial life and was variously employed until 1898, at which time he took his present farm. Here he is successfully engaged in general farming. He is a Democrat in politics and has served the town as road commissioner. As an enterprising and useful citizen and good neighbor, he is widely esteemed.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 102

Author: Hazlett, Charles A Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Number of Pages: 1390

Author: Hazlett, Charles A
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 1390