History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 109

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

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Mr. Nason was married August 19, 1893, to Miss Annie Belle Jen- kins, a daughter of Silas and Anna (Watson) Jenkins, her father being a member of the firm of William Jenkins & Co., for whom Mr. Nason works. Mrs. Nason had a brother, Williard M., who is now deceased. and has a sister, Etta, who is the wife of T. W. Schoonmaker. Mr. and Mrs. Nason have had one child, Marguerite, who died at the age of

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eleven years. " They attend the Baptist church. Mr. Nason is a Re- publican in politics, but has always declined to accept public office. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Grange and is one of the active, enterprising and prosperous citizens of Exeter.

JOHN W. SLEEPER, a prosperous citizen of Plaistow, New Hamp- shire, is proprietor of a grocery and has a large and well established trade. He was born in Plaistow, June 16, 1864, and is a son of John N. and Lorinda E. (Cass) Sleeper. His paternal grandfather was Henry Sleeper, who was born in Newburyport, Mass., and at an early date came to Plaistow where he followed his trade as a shoemaker. The family is an old one in New England, having been established here in the early Colonial days.

John N. Sleeper was born in Plaistow in 1824, and when a young man entered business at Hampton Falls, N. H. He next went to Haver- hill where he worked for nine years. He then started in business there for himself as a member of the firm of Sleeper & Hall, manufacturing shoes. Later he purchased the interest of Mr. Hall, and took into the business, Daniel Fitts. Later his two brothers were partners in the business which was continued until 1872. Mr. Sleeper then returned to Plaistow, where he engaged in farming and lumbering until his death in 1895. He served his town as representative and was one of the hon- ored citizens of the place. He was a charter member of Saggahew Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Haverhill. His marriage with Lorinda E. Cass was blessed with the following children: John W .; Henry J .; Ned S .; Fannie N. who married H. R. Seaver; Maude E., who mar- ried Dr. Harold Palmer; and Ernest.

John W. Sleeper was educated in the public schools, the academy at Andover, and Bryant & Stratton's Business College. After leaving the last named institution he worked in the grain store of his uncle until he went to Exeter. He there engaged in the wholesale grain busi- ness as a member of the firm of Cass and Sleeper. After one year he sold his interest and went to Haverhill where he worked at the shoe business for eleven years. In 1897 he returned to Plaistow and es- tablished his present grocery business. Mr. Sleeper has served three terms as selectman, was town treasurer, one year, and in 1902 was elected representative from Plaistow, to which office he has since been twice re-elected, in 1905 and again in 1912. He is a member of Saggahew Lodge, A. F. & A. M. : Haverhill Chapter and Council, the Commandery ; and Allepo Lodge, Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.

In 1889, John W. Sleeper was united in marriage with Miss Annie L. Tourtillotte, who was born in Woodstock, New Hampshire. and died on July 24, 1912. One son was born to bless this union, Newman T., in 1897. Mr. Sleeper enjoys a comfortable home in Plaistow and is most highly esteemed by his fellowmen.

CHARLES F. KIMBALL, proprietor of a large grain elevator and mill, is one of the forceful business men of Salem Depot, New Hamp- shire. He comes of a prominent old family of this vicinity, one which for many years has been identified with the material growth and pros- perity of the community. Mr. Kimball was born at Salem, New Hamp-

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shire, March 15, 1853, and is a son of Charles and Celenda ( Haselton) Kimball. He has two sisters, Nellie E. and Caroline F. The father, Charles, was born in Salem, April 18, 1822, and died February 18, 1912, at the advanced age of ninety years. He was a farmer and also engaged in the lumber business. He was chairman of the board of selectmen a number of times, was town treasurer, also was a captain in the state militia some years, and a representative in the state legislature.

Charles F. Kimball received his educational training in the public schools and in Tilton Seminary. When twenty years old he took charge of his father's store and was assistant postmaster for five years. They sold out the store and he began working out as a farmer. He soon engaged in that occupation on his own account and branched out in the lumber business. He put in a large wind mill which enabled him to do all his own grinding and some custom work, and that started him in the milling business. Today he has a large elevator and mill, in addi- tion to which he does an extensive business in lumber and wood. When twenty-one years old he was elected tax collector, and also served one year as road commissioner, three terms on the school board, and two years as town treasurer. In 1898 he was elected to the legislature. When the town bought the waterworks, he became chairman of the water board. He was on the building committee when the new school building was erected, and also when the new addition was made.

In September, 1874, Charles F. Kimball was married to Martha Ella Copp, a daughter of M. G. Copp, and they have one son, Charles A. Kimball. The last named was born in July, 1876, and was educated in the public schools and Tilton Seminary. He now is in business with his father. He also has taken an active interest in the affairs of Salem, and has served as chairman of the board of selectmen. Charles A. Kimball was joined in marriage with Lena Mabel Hall, and they have had five children, namely: Gertrude, Charles Allen, Ruth Ellen, Eliza- beth F. (deceased), and Richard Gardner.

JOSEPH HUBBARD WEARE, a successful farmer and business man of Hampton Falls, was born in this town, April 9, 1868, a son of Benjamin F. and Lydia J. (Fogg) Weare. His paternal grandfather, John Weare, son of Deacon Jonathan, at one time owned most of the mills in this town and was especially noted for making an extra quality of Indian meal. He served as representative in 1836 and 1838, and died in 1877.

Benjamin F. Weare, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Hampton Falls, N. H., May 29, 1833. He was educated in the public schools and at Dearborn Academy. He was a farmer and a large lumber dealer. operating a sawmill. He served the town as selectman and was a member of the constitutional convention in 1903. By his wife Lydia he had two children, Joseph H. and Minnie O., the latter of whom mar- ried S. D. Perkins. Mrs. Lydia J. Weare died in 1875 and Mr. Weare later married Lucy W. Smith, of which union also there are two chil- dren, namely: Abby F., born March 2, 1880; and Percy S., born Sep- tember 27, 1878.

Joseph Hubbard Weare was educated in the public schools and Dear- born Academy. He then took up farming for awhile. afterwards ac- cepting a position as clerk in a grocery store. He remained thus occu-

JOHN H. GROUARD, M. D.

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pied until 1905, at which time he bought his present farm which he is now carrying on successfully. For the last five years he has dealt in flour and grain and in addition to this he has recently started a grocery store in Hampton Falls. He has served as tax collector three years and was representative to the State Assembly in 1913 and 1914.

Mr. Weare was married in 1892 to Miss Jennie B. Smith, daughter of Elbridge and Malvina (Boyton) Smith.

JOHN HANSON GROUARD, M. D., was born August 9, 1829, at Rochester, N. H., and died at Pittsburgh, Pa., January 5, 1876, and no history of Rockingham County would be complete if his name were not included, for his people and those of his wife belonged here, and his boyhood days were spent in Rochester. His parents were Ephraim and Marie (Corson) Grouard, natives of Portsmouth, who had three sons: George, a resident of Read- ing, Mass .; Leonard, and John Hanson, the youngest.

From the public schools of Rochester, John Hanson Grouard entered Dartmouth College, where he made a record for scholarship and was gradu- ated in the medical department. He early found a congenial field for the practice of his profession at Pittsburgh, Pa., and in that city spent his useful and busy life. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Moore Shackford, who was born at Portsmouth, N. H., a daughter of Capt. Samuel and Sarah (Cottle) Shackford. The father of Mrs. Grouard was a sea cap- tain. Mrs. Grouard has one sister, Mary, who is the widow of William H. Morton, who died at Salmon Falls, N. H., in 1904. To Dr. and Mrs. Grouard the following children were born: Sarah S., who died in 1902; Maria Louise, who is teaching at Briar Cliff, N. Y .; John Shackford, a physician at Nan- tucket, who married Lena Weymouth; Joseph Morton of Nantucket, a Span- ish War veteran, having served as corporal of the Seventy-first New York Regiment, married Miss Laura Brown of New York City; and Elizabeth Patterson. The family are members of the Episcopal church.

JOSEPH A. BRISSON, of New Market, N. H., who is conducting a prosperous business as grocer and meat dealer, was born in St. John, Province of Quebec, Canada, November II, 1882. His parents were Victor and Emma (Mailhot) Brisson, both of Canadian birth. He re- sided in his native place until he was eight years old, at which time he accompanied his parents to New Market, N. H., where his father obtained employment in the mill. He attended the public schools of New Market until reaching the age of fifteen years, when he began industrial life in the mill, remaining there until 1904. Having by this time saved some money, he determined to go into business for himself, and accordingly purchased the meat and grocery business of his brother, Nave Brisson, which he has since carried on very successfully. having built up a large and lucrative trade. He now ranks among the leading merchants in the town.

Mr. Brisson was married, June 26, 1905, to Miss Leda Blanchatte, daughter of Adelard and Celina (Viger) Blanchatte, of New Market. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Alfred, Alice, Emma and Raymond, two of whom are attending school in New Market. Mr. Brisson belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, to the Eagles, and to the Union Fraternal League. He served the town of New Market as treasurer in 1911 and 1912. He and his family have a pleasant and

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commodious residence on Elm Street. They are numbered among the prosperous and substantial residents of the town and are highly esteemed.

WALTER S. PEAK, who farms a tract of 59 acres in the town of Rye, and also does teaming, was born in London, England, May 9, 1859, and came to America with his parents, Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Colite) Peak, when about ten years old. They lived first in Montreal, Canada, afterwards going to Boston and then to St. Louis, later com- ing east. Both were natives of London, the father being a type caster by trade. He died in Chelsea, Mass., while his wife died on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. They were members of the Epis- copal church. They had a large family, only five of whom are now living, namely: Gertrude, wife of W. B. Parker; Elizabeth, wife of John Quinn ; Charles, William and Walter S.

Walter S. Peak had very limited educational advantages, having to begin work when quite a boy. He first found employment as a newsboy, and when twenty years old learned the trade of type casting, which he followed until he came to his present farm, which he bought from James Ramsdell in 1902. He married Mary Shealy of St. Louis, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Shealy, and he and his wife have had children as follows: Gertrude, wife of Abbott White, who has two children, Abbott and Hazel; Walter J., who resides at home; Edward, who married Clara Gowen of Portsmouth and has a child, Dorris; Alice, who married Thomas F. Chandler, and Franklin, residing at home. Mr. Peak belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Portsmouth and he and his family attend the Baptist church. In politics he is independent.

EVERETT W. TREFETHEN is a prominent mason contractor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he has always lived and is widely known. He was born in Portsmouth, January 5, 1866, and is a son of Albert B. and Mary A. (Rand) Trefethen.

Albert B. Trefethen was also a mason contractor in Portsmouth where he lived until his death in 1900. He was a substantial citizen and was deeply interested in the development and improvement of the city at all times. In politics he was a Democrat. Mrs. Trefethen, a woman of admirable character who has a host of friends of long years standing still resides in Portsmouth. They were parents of four sons : Everett W .: Ralph ; Frank and Wallis.

Everett W. Trefethen attended grammar and high schools in Ports- mouth, after which he became identified with his father in masonry work. Upon his father's death he continued the business alone and has met with uninterrupted success. In June, 1897, Mr. Trefethen married Carrie L. Thurlow, who was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and is a daughter of Daniel P. and Louise (Winn) Thurlow. Her father was a piano tuner by profession. There were but two children in the family, Edith Thurlow and Carrie L. (Trefethen). Mr. Trefethen is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Portsmouth Athletic Club. He is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife attend Portsmouth Baptist Church.

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HARRY MERRILL, a well known business man of Exeter, chief clerk for the A. E. McReel Company, has been identified with this im- portant business concern for a number of years, both under its present and former management. He was born at Exeter, N. H., April 4, 1874, and is a son of David W. and Mary (Coffin) Merrill. The father was born at Exeter, N. H., and the mother at Newburyport, Mass. She survives and lives at Exeter but the father is deceased, his burial being at Exeter. They had three children: Sarah E., Harry and Florence M. C. In early business life the father followed farming.

Harry Merrill was graduated from the Exeter High school in the class of 1892 and afterward, for ten years, was a clerk in a clothing store. He then went into the lumber business in partnership with Col. H. W. Anderson and was also connected with the Anderson coal business, although not as a partner, and continued as clerk after the McReel Company bought the Anderson interest. His reliability and efficiency have brought him into close relations with keen business men, and the reputation he has won is well sustained.

In June, 1903, Mr. Merrill was married to Miss Harriet C. Stock- man, who was born at Newburyport, a daughter of Joseph and Rhoda (Sargent) Stockman. The father of Mrs. Merrill was a ship chandler and dealer in antique furniture. Mrs. Merrill has one brother, Orlando. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have three children, Henry E., Marjorie and David D. They are members of the First Congregational Church in which he was an official for five years. In political sentiment he is a republican.

FRANK P. WOODBURY has for many years been among the fore- most citizens of Salem, New Hampshire, having fostered numerous enterprises which have added materially to the prosperity of the com- munity. He has identified himself with all projects and public move- ments tending toward the development and improvement of the village, and in every sense has proved himself a man of public spirit.

Mr. Woodbury was born in Salem, N. H., October 24, 1850, and is the only son of Orlando H. and Mary Elizabeth (Corning) Wood- bury, and a grandson of Nathaniel Woodbury, an early resident of Salem, who at one time represented his town in the State Legislature. Orlando H. Woodbury was also born in Salem, N. H., and when a young man had charge of a force of men working on the Hudson River. He served as a sutler in the army and for many years prior to his death conducted a general store at Framingham, Mass.

Frank P. Woodbury received a public school education. As a young man he went into a shoe shop to learn the business, and within six months he was owner of the shop. He then started the manufacture of shoes on a larger scale, although he started with little capital and no help from anyone. He placed the business on a firm basis and con- ducted it with great success until 1909, when he suffered the loss of his plant by fire. For a period of five years he was also interested in the shoe business in Boston. He has been engaged in the coal business in Salem for a period of twenty-five years, and with his son Ernest R. Wood- bury established the electric light plant, of which the latter is now superintendent. In 1890 he was elected State Senator in a district that had never before elected a Democrat to that office. He secured the pas- 55

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sage of a bill, and formed a company which built the water works of Salem, serving as one of the directors until the plant was acquired by the town. In December, 1913, Mr. Woodbury was appointed post- master in which capacity he has served with great efficiency.

Mr. Woodbury was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ryant, and they became parents of two sons: Harry C., who died in 1913; and Ernest R.

JOHN H. BRACKETT, owner of a considerable quantity of farm land in the town of Greenland, Rockingham County, N. H., who has been a selectman of that town for the last twelve years, was born in the house in which he now resides, November 26, 1838, a son of Thomas and Sarah W. ( Veasey) Brackett. His father was a native of Greenland and his mother of Stratham, N. H .; the former being a farmer by occupation. They are both deceased and their remains rest in the private burial ground on the home farm. They had a large family of children, as follows: John H., Ist, who died young ; Sarah W. (died young) ; Mary, wife of Lewis J. Chace, both of whom have passed away ; Sarah A., also deceased, who was the wife of Capt. WV. DeForest Bowers; Alice .P., who married Frank Walker; Martha P .; Grace C., who married John H. Scott; and John H., 2d. All these children are now deceased except the subject of this sketch.

John H. Brackett was educated in the common schools and at Pemberton Academy, which he attended for several years. He afterwards took up farm work, which he has since followed successfully. The tract of land on which he resides contains 90 acres, and he also owns several other tracts-one of 98 acres, one of 250 acres, and another of 35 acres. Mr. Brackett is an active and progressive citizen, and has for a number of years taken a practical part in public affairs. He has served at different times as selectman and has also been town treasurer and assessor. He belongs to St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Portsmouth, N. H.

Mr. Brackett was married in 1890 to Miss Mary E. Lewis, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Lewis of Sandwich, Me. She died in 1892, leaving one son, Thomas J., who returned a few months ago from South America, where he had been working eighteen months for a railroad company. Thomas J. Brackett was married, March 23, 1914, to Blanche Gertrude Brownell, who was born in Dover, N. H., a daughter of Harry and Emma J. Brownell, her father being a carpenter. The Brownell family numbered four children- Florence, wife of Harold Hanson; Dora; Blanche, and Thomas Edgar.

HERBERT PERKINS, a well known merchant of the town of Hampton, and member of the legislature from this town, his term expiring January 1, 1915, was born in Concord, N. H., July 29, 1868, a son of John C. and Katie E. (Crane) Perkins. His parents were both natives of this county, his father being a shoe worker. He was also postmaster at Hampton during the latter years of his life. He and his wife had two children, George C. and Herbert.

Herbert Perkins was educated in the common schools and at Hamp- ton Academy. He then worked for awhile in a shoe factory and after- wards on a car line, but for the last twelve years has been in the meat business in Hampton. He has a good up-to-date shop and employs one hand. A Republican in politics, he takes a strong interest in public affairs and in addition to being an efficient member of the present legis-

JOHN H. BRACKETT

THOMAS J. BRACKETT

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lature, he is candidate for state senator. He was supervisor six years and for the last three years has served as town treasurer. In short he is one in whom his fellow citizens have full confidence, knowing that he will never betray their trust.

Mr. Perkins married Annie W. Towle, a native of Hampton, N. H. and daughter of John W. and Mary M. (Godfrey) Towle, her father being a carpenter. Her parents had another child, Ernest W., who lives in Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have one son, John W. They are affiliated religiously with the Methodist church and Mr. Perkins belongs fraternally to the Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

ARCHIBALD FINLAYSON, operator for the Direct Cable Com- pany at Rye Beach, who has held his present position since 1888, was born in Scotland, April 22, 1859, a son of Donald and Dollina (Murry) Finlayson. His parents, both natives of Scotland, never came to this country. They had three children, the two others being George and James. .

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native land and subsequently learned telegraphy at Ardgay, Scot- land, where he was in the government service four years. He was sta- tioned at Glasgow for three years, after which he became associated with the Direct Cable Company at Liverpool, England, in 1881, remain- ing there three years. His next post was in Ireland, where he was employed in the same business and for the same company four years, after which he came to Rye Beach, N. H., to assume the duties of his present position.

Mr. Finlayson married Elizabeth Lord of Kennebunk, Me., in 1894. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary (Mendum) Lord, residents of the State of Maine, where her father was engaged in business as a cot- ton manufacturer. The Lord family included two other children: Sarah, who married Judge Edwin Cram, of Biddeford, Me., and Frances, wife of Dr. Augustus Lord, a Unitarian minister of Providence, R. I. Mr. and Mrs. Finlayson have two children, Mary and Donald. Mrs. Fin- layson is a member of the Unitarian church and her husband of the Congregational.

FRANK E. LANG, who has been a resident of New Market for more than thirty years, is proprietor of a blacksmithing establishment and enjoys an extensive patronage throughout this vicinity. He was born in Candia, New Hampshire, April 14, 1864, and is a son of Gilman C. and Sarah A. (Barker) Lang, both of whom continued to reside in Candia until their respective deaths.

Frank E. Lang lived at home until he was sixteen, then lived at Ames- bury for four years. In 1884 he came to New Market and worked at blacksmithing for Thomas Garland for two years, at the end of which time he became established in business for himself. A man of natural mechanical bent, a thorough conscientious workman. it is not surpris- ing his business flourished and he became firmly intrenched in the good will of the people. He owns a comfortable home in New Market, where he is happy in the companionship of his wife and children, surrounded by many friends of long years standing.

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November 16, 1889, Mr. Lang was married to Maude Gray of Brown- field, Maine, and they have four children, namely: Gilman A., Beatrice E., A. Harold and Charles W. Fraternally, Mr. Lang is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Masons, Improved Order of Red Men, and Sons of Veterans. He and his son Gilman A. Lang re- ceived their third degrees in Masonry on June 3, 1914, an exceedingly rare occurrence. .

DAVID J. LAMPREY, of North Hampton, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, has varied interests, following farming and teaming, and conducting a saw mill. He also deals in ice at Little Boar's Head. He resides on the old Lamprey homestead, consisting of one hundred acres, and is the owner of two hundred sixty acres all told.

Mr. Lamprey was born in North Hampton, September 17, 1844, and is a son of Hezekiah B. and Mary A. (Jenness) Lamprey, and a grandson of Morris Lamprey. Hezekiah Lamprey was a native of North Hampton, and his wife of Rye, New Hampshire. He was a farmer and lumberman, and also dealt somewhat in horses and cattle. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religious attachment they were members of the Christian Church. They reared the following children: Marilla, deceased wife of John J. Leavitt of Hampton; Morris, who lives in Mell- rose, Massachusetts; Ellen, wife of Hiram A. Brown; David J. and Irvin H., deceased.

David J. Lamprey attended the common schools for a time, and all his life has followed agricultural pursuits, in fact has passed all his life working on the farm where he was born. He is a prosperous business man, and has a wide acquaintanceship throughout this section of the State.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 109

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