History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 112

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

USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 112

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HENRY A. COOK, Sr., a member of the firm of Cook & True, grocers, of Fremont, N. H., was born at Townsend, Mass., May 26, 1857, a son of George A. and Ann Maria (Spaulding) Cook. The father is a prominent farmer of Groton, Mass. The great grandfather of our subject, Samuel Cook, served with distinction in the Revolutionary War, enlisting from Groton, Mass., in which state the immigrant ances- tors of the family settled when they came to this country from England.

Henry A. Cook, who was the only child of his parents, lost his mother when he was only a year old. He began attending district school at the age of five years, and as soon as he was old enough was put to work on the farm during the summers. Later, when about sixteen, he began an apprenticeship to the cooper's trade, at which he worked sub- sequently until 1895, at which time he went into the grocery business in Fremont with George W. Ball. At the end of two years he purchased Mr. Ball's interest and conducted the store alone for a number of years. In 1910 he was burned out, but rebuilt his store and started again, taking his son-in-law, H. S. True, as a partner. The firm has a well stocked store and is doing a prosperous business.

On June 18, 1878, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Emma M. Dan- iels, of Brookline, N. H., a daughter of Oscar S. Daniels, a well known farmer. He and his wife are the parents of three children, as follows: Lena E., wife of H. S. True, who has a daughter, Dorothy C., now thirteen years old; George H., who is married and has four children, Maxwell W., Austin W., Mahlon A. and Janice B .; and Albert S., who is single. Mr. Cook is a Republican in politics. He has been town clerk for the last thirteen years, a member of the school board three years, and was representative to the legislature in 1909-1910. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held all the chairs ; also to the Grange, of which he has been steward and treasurer. His religious affiliations are with the Universalist church.

ALBION BURBANK, who is now living a retired life at No. 38 Pine street, Exeter, N. H., after a long educational career, was born in Limerick, Me., December 25, 1839, a son of Abner Burbank, by his wife Eliza, whose maiden name was Eliza Adams Harmon. The father was born in Newfields, Me., and was reared in that state. Educated in the common schools, he learned the trade of a surveyor, which he followed for a livelihood, also

1038

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

writing deeds and handling estates. A man of local prominence he served over thirty years as selectman of the town of Limerick, was county commis- sioner, and at one time represented the town in the legislature. There was, in fact, scarcely any time during his active career that he was not the incum- bent of some local office. He and his wife were both members of the Free Baptist Church. Their children were as follows: Horace H., a veteran of the Civil war, who for a number of years has been a practicing attorney at Saco. Me .; Albion, whose name appears at the head of this sketch: Augusta, who is now in her fortieth year as a teacher, being first assistant in the Bidde- ford (Me.) high school; Ida E., who was the wife of Edwin Perkins, she and her husband being both now deceased, and Charles Edwin, an attorney, now practicing in Boston, Mass.

Albion Burbank began his education in the common schools of Limerick, Me., and was subsequently graduated from the Limerick Academy. He then entered Bowdoin College, where he was graduated in the class of 1862. Having been admitted to the bar, he practiced as a lawyer for a short time, and then, giving up that occupation, entered the educational field, becoming a teacher. His subsequent career, up to 1910, when he retired, was spent in this vocation, in which he made his mark, being principal of the Exeter high school for a period of nearly forty years.

Mr. Burbank was married in 1874 to Miss Olive E. Thompson, of Kenne- bunk, Me., a daughter of William L. and Olive (Mitchell) Thompson, her father being a ship builder of that town. The other children in the Thomp- son family were Joseph P., Susan L. and Horace. Mr. and Mrs. Burbank became parents of a son, Harry Thompson Burbank, who is a graduate of Bowdoin College, and is now employed in the chemical department of Phillips Exeter Academy. He is also first reader in the Christian Science church in Exeter. Mrs. Albion Burbank died in 1906. Mr. Burbank, the elder, is president of the library committee, which position he has held and in which he has served efficiently for many years. He was also police commissioner for several years. He attends the Unitarian church and is chairman of the executive committee of the Unitarian Society. In politics he is a democrat, although not strictly bound by party lines, exercising his own judgment in the choice of candidates for whom to vote when occasion demands.

EDWARD W. HOLMES, who is engaged in business in the town of Greenland as a painting contractor, was born in this town, April 29, 1879, son of Ed. W. and Lucy ( Wentworth) Holmes. The father was a native of Greenland and the mother of Somersworth, N. H.

Edward W. Holmes was the only child of his parents. He was edu- cated in the common and high schools of the town and subsequently learned the painting business, in which he has since been engaged. A Republican in politics, as was also his father, he has served the town as assessor, and town clerk. In the Masonic order he had ad- vanced to the 14th degree.

Mr. Holmes married Miss Mabel Currier, daughter of William F. and Adelaide (Holmes) Currier, of Boston, Mass., in which city her father was engaged in business as a leather manufacturer. Like her hus- band, Mrs. Holmes was an only child. They attend the Congregational church and are numbered among the prosperous and respected residents of the town.

1039

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

PHILIP T. McWILLIAMS, a well known resident of Portsmouth, N. H., is owner and proprietor of a blacksmith shop on Fleet Street, in addition to which he holds the contract with the United States Gov- ernment for conveying the mail between the postoffice and railroad station. He is a native of the state of Maine, having been born in Lew- iston, July 9, 1870, and is a son of John and Sarah (Driscol) McWil- liams. On the paternal side he is a descendant of Oliver Cromwell, some of his ancestors accompanying the famous Protector on his expedi- tion to Ireland. Many of them served in the British army, his great grandfather being a colonel in the Sixty-ninth Regiment. His grand- father fought at Waterloo under Wellington. Mr. McWilliams' ma- ternal ancestors originally came from Ireland and settled near Quebec. In those days they were considered well-to-do, as they kept a coach and footman.

John McWilliams, father of our subject, was born in the north of Ireland and was a farmer by occupation. He died at Lewiston, Maine, as did also his wife. She was born in the United States. In religious faith they were Protestants. Their family included Richard, William, Alexander, Anna, John, James, Mathew, Joseph, Philip T. and Mary.

Philip T. McWilliams attended the public schools until he was ten years old, and continued to work on the farm with his father until he was sixteen. At Auburn, Maine, he began learning the trade of a black- smith, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He worked for others along that line for about seven years and in 1893 started a shop of his own on Vaughn Street in Portsmouth. He continued at that location until 1912 when he established his present shop on Fleet Street. He is considered an expert horseshoer, and has shod famous horses at most of the big race tracks in the country, including the trotter Idolita (2.091/4). which captured the biggest purse ever won by a trotter up to that time (1900), $30,000. He has also quite a reputation locally as a driver of fast horses. He has always taken a public spirited interest in the affairs of Portsmouth, and during the years 1904 and 1905 represented the Fourth Ward on the board of aldermen. He is a Democrat in politics.

Mr. McWilliams was married to Miss Mary Mara, who was born in Lewiston, Maine. She died in 1907, leaving her husband and five children-Sarah, Mary, Wallace, Anna and Philip, Jr. The family is identified with the Catholic Church. Mr. McWilliams is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Royal Arcanum and Patrons of Husbandry.

ROBERT I. SUGDEN, a member of the extensive lumber firm of Sugden Bros., Portsmouth, N. H., is one of a family of two children born to Robert K. and Lavinia (Cleough) Sugden. The father was a shoe- maker by trade, and was a highly respected citizen up to the time of his death, which took place September 19, 1912. He was a native of England. His wife survives him and resides with her son, the subject of this sketch.

Robert I. Sugden was born in Portsmouth, N. H., in May. 1871. his brother, John H., who is his partner, being the older, born in 1868. They were both educated in the public schools of this city, where Robert with his brother subsequently engaged in a general contracting busi- ness, which they carried on until 1899. In that year he and his brother became associated in their present business, purchasing an old milling

1040

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

plant near the site of the Boston & Maine depot, at the corner of Vaughn and Green streets. The business has grown to large proportions, the concern manufacturing or handling everything used in the house build- ing trade from the cellar to the roof, including various kinds of lumber of all dimensions, lath, sheathing, flooring, mouldings of various pat- terns, windows, window screens, cord and weights, doors, drawer cases, wall board, porch and stair balusters, porch columns, stair posts, stub posts, piazza brackets, lattice, fence rails and pickets, dowels, gutter, shingles, roofing of different kinds, clapboards, hardware trimmings, glass, paint, lime, hair, King's Windsor patent plaster, cement, sand, brick, pipe, flue linings, metal lath, metal corner bead, Taylor's flashings, the above all being carried in stock; besides which they are agents for mantels, slate and steel ceilings, and in short deal in mill work of all kinds. Their business motto is expressed in the brief formula: "What you want when you want it," which they live up to, the concern being widely recognized as one of the best and most reliable of its kind to be found anywhere in this section. Both brothers are members of the Masonic order, and are independent in politics, while Robert I. is a member of the Warwick and Country Clubs, and has served in the city council, his brother being a member of the board of Public Works, Portsmouth.

Robert I. Sugden married Bertha M. Davis, a daughter of Louis G. Davis, who was one of Portsmouth's leading photographers. He and his wife are the parents of three children. They are members of the Episcopal church and reside at No. 1231 Islington street.

John H. Sugden married Dora B. Pendexter, a daughter of Daniel P. Pendexter. They reside at No. 230 Cass street. They have no children.

LEWIS E. STAPLES, a prosperous dry goods merchant of Ports- mouth, N. H., whose store is located at No. 7, Market Street, was born in this city August 25, 1851, a son of Foxwell C. and Emily (Sendig) Staples. The father, born in Newcastle, N. H., was a carpenter by trade.

Lewis E. Staples was educated in the public schools and became con- nected with the dry goods business when a lad of fifteen years, since which time he has continued in it. He established his present business in 1878, in the same building in which he first began work. A man of energy, perseverance and good business ability, he has been successful and is now one of the leading merchants in his line in the city. He is also a trustee of the Piscataqua Savings Bank. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Staples was first married to Miss Williametta Conn, a daughter of William Conn. She died in 1909, and he married for his second wife Miss Edith Ray of Hillsboro, N. H. There is an adopted daughter, Thelma. Mr. Staples and family are members of the Middle Street Baptist church and at the present time he is serving as treasurer of the New Hampshire Baptist convention and treasurer of the Trustees of the Portsmouth Hospital. Though he takes no active interest in poli- tics beyond casting his vote, and has never sought office, he is in sympa- thy with every movement having for its object the welfare of society and the moral and material betterment of the community in which he

GEORGE M. BEATON

1043

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

lives. He and his family have a pleasant residence at No. 425 Islington Street.

CHARLES W. MIFFLIN, proprietor of about 100 acres of land in the town of Exeter, which he devotes to truck gardening and, to some extent, the raising of strawberries, was born in Columbia. Lancaster County, Pa., a son of John Houston and Elizabeth A. B. (Heise) Mifflin, who were both natives of that county, where they died and are buried. The father, when a young man, was a portrait painter. He became one of the most prominent men of Lancaster County, Pa., was an extensive owner of real estate and was president of Mt. Bethel Cemetery. He was a son of Joseph Mifflin, who came to that locality from New Jersey. John H. and Elizabeth Mifflin attended the Presbyterian church and were worthy people, respected by their neighbors. Their children were Lloyd, Houston, De Veaux, Mary Bethel, deceased, and Charles W.

After attending the common schools, Charles W. Mifflin continued his literary studies in Chambersburg Academy for about two years. He then learned the drug business, working in a store for that purpose, and subsequently was a registered druggist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for three years. He then went to Colorado, where he remained about three years, later returning east to New York City, where he found employment in the Pennsylvania Railroad office, having been previously employed for a time, while in the West in the Santa Fe Railroad office. On leaving New York he came to Exeter, where he took up the business in which he is at present engaged and is now recognized as one of the prominent citizens of the town. He is a member of Gilman Grange, recognizing the value of that order to those in his own line of industry. In politics he is independent.

Mr. Mifflin was first married in 1878 to Jennie M. Cameron, who died later in California. He married for his second wife, in 1889, Mary B. Haire, a native of Aurora, Ind., and daughter of Rev. John P. and Ellen Cilley (Bartlett) Haire. Her father, who was a Presbyterian minister, now resides in Chicago. Mrs. Mifflin had two sisters; one, Helen B., died in 1904; the other, Anna R., is living in Chicago. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mifflin are : John H., who is employed by the Defiance Paper Co. at Niagara Falls, N. Y .; Alice B., who graduated from Mt. Holyoke College, with the class of 1914; Marjorie H., who was drowned at North Beach, Hampton, N. H., in July, 1914, when twenty years of age; Gladys, Dorothy, and Helen B. The family attends the Phillips Congregational Church in Exeter.

GEORGE M. BEATON, who conducts a first class tailoring establish- ment at Exeter, has been in business in Exeter for the past fourteen years and is one of the city's substantial citizens. He was born at Caledonia, Prince Edward's Island, July 29, 1861, and is a son of Murdock and Mary (McPherson) Beaton, natives of Scotland, who were farming people on the Isle of Skye for many years and died there. They had the following chil- dren : John, who is deceased ; Sarah, who is the widow of Angus Campbell; Kenneth; George M .; Christiana, who is deceased and was the wife of John Stewart; and Duncan, who is deceased.

George M. Beaton attended the public schools and assisted his father on the island farm until he was eighteen years of age, after which he became a

1044

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

tailor's apprentice and served three years, during which period he received sixty dollars in wages. He then opened a shop of his own at Caledonia and continued it for three years, at the end of that time deciding to come to the United States. After reaching Boston he worked for tailors for about eight years and later for two years at Haverhill, Mass., and for four years con- ducted a shop of his own there. In December, 1900, Mr. Beaton came to Exeter and here has found his skill and workmanship in the making of clothes highly appreciated, his patrons coming from the most fastidious and exclusive people of the city.

January 20, 1891, Mr. Beaton was married to Miss Helen D. Holt, of Andover, Mass., a daughter of Charles and Janet (Rumgay) Holt. Mr. Holt followed the shoemaking trade; he died August 9, 1865, but his widow survives and lives with their only daughter, Mrs. Beaton. They had also a son, George Holt. The grandparents of Mr. Beaton on the paternal side were Kenneth and Sarah ( McBeth) Beaton, and on the maternal side were George and Christiana (Matheson) McPherson. Mr. and Mrs. Beaton are attendants of the First Congregational Church at Exeter. He is a republican in politics, and belongs to the fraternal order of Odd Fellows at Haverhill, Mass. Mr. Beaton owns his home and other property in Exeter.

JOHN EVERETT TOWLE, one of the progressive and practical agriculturists of the town of Exeter, combines farming and dairying with excellent results, his 60-acre farm being a profitable investment. He was born at Danville, Rockingham County, N. H., June 13, 1865, and is a son of Frederick A. and Lucy A. (Hunt) Towle. Both parents were born in Rockingham County and the mother still resides at Danville. The father, who followed farming through life, died September 15, 1874. Their family consisted of five children: Ella, deceased; John Everett ; Emery C .; Carrie Elva, deceased, and Frederick A., deceased.

John Everett Towle attended the public schools at Danville and afterward remained on the home farm, managing it for his mother, until he was twenty-two years of age, after this entering a grocery store at Kingston as a clerk and remained there for five years. Mr. Towle then embarked in the grocery business at that place for himself, conducting his store for five years and during four of these was postmaster of Kingston. After closing out his interests in that section he came to Exeter, where, for a time he was with the electric company and for six years was a clerk for a clothing company. In 1907 he purchased the farm he is so successfully operating, which was known as the old Hayes farm. He keeps 25 head of cattle and his dairy business is an important feature.

In April, 1905, Mr. Towle was married to Miss Mary Frink Simpson, who was born at Greenland, Rockingham County, a daughter of Joseph Perkin and Sarah Olivia (Frink) Simpson. The mother of Mrs. Towle resides with her daughter, the father having died in December, 1905. He was a carpenter by trade and also followed farming. Mrs. Towle has two brothers : John Simes and Joseph Ormand. Mr. and Mrs. Towle attend the First Congregational Church at Exeter. He is a republican in his political faith and fraternally is identified with the Royal Arcanum and the Odd Fellows. The family is well known in Rockingham County and has always stood high in public esteem.

JAMES H. TATTERSALL, who, for eleven years has been in busi- ness at Exeter as proprietor of a jewelry store, is regarded as one of the

1045

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

solid citizens and honorable business men of the city. He was born at Amesbury, Essex County, Mass., January 13, 1865, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah G. (Garside) Tattersall. Both parents were born in England. In 1849 the father came to the United States and secured work as a weaver and in 1853 returned to England and married. With his wife he returned to Massachusetts, settling first at Newton Upper Falls, later removing to Ballardvale and from there, in 1859, came to Exeter. During the last years of his active life he was a boss weaver. Both he and wife were devoted members of the First Baptist Church. They had four children, three of whom survive them: William J., Joseph T., de- ceased, James H. and Sarah A., who is the wife of Joseph L. Burke, of Exeter.

James H. Tattersall completed the common school course and entered the high school but did not remain to graduate, as desiring to begin early his business life, he entered the cotton mills and worked there for five years. In the meanwhile he had become interested in the mechanism of watches and that led first to his entering the watch factory at Wal- tham and then to his becoming a student in the Waltham Horological school where he thoroughly learned the trade was was graduated a jew- eler and watchmaker, in 1883. For some ten years afterward he worked in a watch factory and then entered into the jeweler and watch business at Gloucester, Mass. Nine years later he established himself at Exeter and has built up a fine business. He carries a large stock of watches and jewelry and does repairing with an expert's skill.

In 1887 Mr. Tattersall was married to Miss Lizzie Irene Stowell, now deceased, and they have one daughter, Mildred Wilson, who is the wife of Edward G. Swift, a hardware merchant at Manchester, Vt. Mr. Tattersall attends the Congregational church. While not very active in politics he is an interested citizen. His vote is cast for the candidates of the Republican party. He belongs to the Independent Order of For- esters and the Red Men.

JOHN N. THOMPSON, one of the directors of the Exeter Bank- ing Company, trustee of the Union Five Cents Savings Bank, and a trustee of the Cottage Hospital, Exeter, N. H., was born in Stratham, N. H., March 18, 1847. His parents were John and Martha (Lane) Thompson, both natives of Stratham, the father being a farmer by occu- pation. Both are deceased and are buried at Stratham. Besides their son John N., they had a daughter, Ellen S., who married William H. Yeaton. The paternal grandfather was Abraham Thompson; the ma- ternal grandfather, James Lane. Mr. Thompson is a descendant, on the paternal side, of Major Richard Waldron, who settled in Dover, N. H., about 1640; and is a descendant, on the maternal side, of Williamn Lane, who settled in Boston in 1650.

John N. Thompson acquired a common school education. He was brought up to farming and spent fifty-two years on the old homestead in Stratham, which has been in the Thompson family for over two hundred years. In 1899 he sold the farm and moved to Exeter where, in addi- tion to attending to the duties of the offices mentioned above he has worked more or less as an insurance inspector and in the settlement of estates. A Republican in politics, he takes a keen interest in public affairs, has served as selectman and town treasurer, and was formerly representative in the legislature from the town of Stratham.

1046

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

Mr. Thompson was married February 2, 1869, to Miss Mary M. Sartell, a native of Quincy, Ill., and daughter of Sylvanus and Sarah (Lane) Sartell. Her father, who resided in Vermont before the Civil War, was a strong Abolitionist. Later he removed with his family to Quincy, Ill., where he conducted a machine shop. Mr. and Mrs. Thomp- son are the parents of a daughter, Mary A., who resides at home with her parents. The family attend the First Congregational church, of which Mr. Thompson is one of the deacons. They have a wide acquaint- ance in Exeter and the surrounding towns and are people highly thought of in this locality.

WILLIAM F. STEARNS, treasurer and general manager of the Rubber Step Manufacturing Company, at Exeter, a prosperous concern organized in 1892, was born in Boston, Mass., January 4, 1865, a son of Charles F. and Catherine (Kelley) Stearns. The parents were both natives of Boston, where the father followed the business of contractor and expressman. He is now deceased, his wife, the mother of our subject, being still a resident of Boston. They had four children- William F., John, Margaret and Gertrude.

William F. Stearns acquired his education in the common schools, and on beginning industrial life, entered into the rubber manufacturing business, with which he has since been connected, entering the employ of the Rubber Step Manufacturing Company at Exeter in December, 1912. A man of sound business methods, and possessing a thorough knowledge of the rubber industry, he has "made good" in his present position and is doing his full share towards increasing the success and prosperity of the concern he is with. He is a member of Batavia Lodge, No. 475, A. F. & A. M .; Chapter No. 35, R. A. M .; Lodge No. 47, K. T., and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Stearns was first married in 1886 to Miss Minnie Ryan, a native of Nova Scotia, who died in 1898, leaving two children-Leo, who is now deceased, and William F., Jr. Mr. Stearns was married secondly in 1902 to Miss Florence Hill, who was born in Republic, Ohio. Of this second union there have been four children, namely: Harold, now de- ceased ; Catherine, Augustus and Helene Elizabeth. The family attends the Episcopal church. They have a wide circle of friends in Exeter and vicinity and are actively interested in whatever concerns the wel- fare of the community.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 112

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