History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 115

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

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CHARLES P. CARROLL, owner and proprietor of the grocery and provision house of C. P. Carroll, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is one of the city's best known merchants. He is a native of Portsmouth. the date of his birth being June 16, 1866, and is a son of Philip and Honorah ( Flynn) Carroll.

Philip Carroll and wife were natives of County Cork, Ireland, and both died and were buried at Rollinsford, New Hampshire. They were married at South Berwick, Maine, having come to this country while young. He was a laborer and engaged in construction work on all of the railroads built in this section. The following children were born to them: Helen C., wife of Michael Cummings : Dennis J. : Daniel W. : Annie F., wife of F. M. Dennett ; Wm. H., deceased; and Charles P. In religious faith they were Catholics.

Charles P. Carroll attended the common schools of Portsmouth, after which for eight years he was employed in the office of the Frank Jones Brewing Co. For six years he was shipping clerk for the Portsmouth Machine Company. In 1909, he and a brother bought his present business from John Conlon. He has since bought his brother's interest and is now sole owner. He carries a general line of groceries and provisions, conduct- ing an establishment of the highest class, and enjoys much of the city's best trade.

In June, 1897, Mr. Carroll married Alice B. Caswell, also a native of Portsmouth, and a daughter of Perry and Emma ( Snow) Caswell. Her father was a native of the Isle of Shoals, and was in the fish business in Portsmouth. Her mother was born in Brunswick, Maine. Mrs. Carroll is one of two children, having a brother named Freeman. Mr. Carroll is a Democrat in politics but is inclined to be independent. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Foresters and the Royal Arcanum. He also is affiliated with the Country Club, and is vice president of the Board of Trade. He has been a director of the last named since its con- solidation with the Merchants' Exchange. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Carroll attend the Catholic Church.

WINTHROP NORRIS DOW. Born in Epping, April 9, 1828. The son of Moses and Nancy (Sanborn) Dow. He was a descendant of Henry

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Dow who settled in Hampton in 1643, but Epping was the family home from about 1750 when his great Grandfather Beniah removed there from Ken- sington.

He was educated in the public schools of Epping and at Pembroke Acad- emy. Beginning his business career as clerk in a store at Northwood he remained two years and then opened a general store at West Epping which he conducted for fifteen years with marked success. In 1874 he removed to Exeter for the educational advantages to his family. As a business man he had few peers. His integrity, sagacity and exceedingly active temperament brought him a large measure of success. He early engaged in lumbering which was his principal occupation for forty years. At first in the sixties he was in association with John L. Folsom, then Benjamin Folsom, and later with Gardner D. Durgin; in the seventies and eighties with Joseph C. Burley, and later with his son Albert N. Dow. His operations were mainly in south-eastern New Hampshire and in Maine. He was a zealous Republican. From 1874-8 he was County Treasurer and was appointed to serve again for the unexpired term of George E. Lane. He represented Exeter in the legisla- ture in 1878-80.

Winthrop Norris Dow received his title of Colonel by appointment to the military staff of Governor Natt Head. He served as special Commissioner for the Boston and Maine R. R. 1888-1892. He was a director of the Exeter Water Works and of the Exeter Banking Company, and a Trustee and Vice President of The Union Five Cents Savings Bank. He was a loyal member of the First Parish, a Mason and Knight Templar, and the first President of the Exeter Sportsman's Club. He served several terms as a member of the school board and at his decease was serving as Trustee of the Robinson Female Seminary for a second term of seven years. He was ardently devoted to his home and family. He died in Exeter September 13, 1904.

In 1859, Colonel Dow married Judith E. Robinson of Brentwood, daughter of Jonathan and Nancy (Lane) Robinson. Their children are Albert Nelson, Annie M., and Florence.

Albert Nelson Dow was born May 30, 1860. After graduating from the Exeter High School he spent one year at a private school in Boston. Studied under private tutors at home, in Canada and in France. He was engaged in lumbering from 1880 to 1895 since which time he has been mainly devoted to forestry work. In 1898 he married Florence Griffin, daughter of Professor L. F. Griffin and Ruth (Fitts) Griffin of New London, N. H. Their children are Ruth Ellen, Winthrop Griffin, Emily Robinson, Albert Neal and Richard Lane.

JOSEPH W. SOMERBY, who is associated with Mr. J. M. Buswell in the ownership of the New Method Laundry, is one of Portsmouth's most enterprising young men. The business had its inception in January, 1912, and has made steady progress ever since, enjoying a very liberal patronage.

Mr. Somerby was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, April 28, 1881, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Riley) Somerby. He was four years old when his mother died, leaving him and two other children, namely, Edwin and Mary. Charles Somerby formed a second union with Annie Noyes of Byfield, Massachusetts, and they have two daughters and a son: Ruth, Helen, and Charles.

Joseph W. Somerby, after leaving the grade schools, attended and was graduated from Newburyport High School. For five years he was employed

Eng by E.G Williams & Bro NY.

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as paymaster for a large contracting firm, and then for three years worked in the railroad ticket office at Lynn, Massachusetts. He then came to Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, and with Mr. Buswell started the laundry business as before related. They do wet washing and flat work ironing only, and employ an average of twelve people.

In 1909, Mr. Somerby was joined in marriage with Mary E. Pike who was born in Salsbury, Massachusetts and was one of eight children, seven daughters and a son, born to John B. and Ella ( Hughes) Pike. Her father engaged in farming operations. In politics Mr. Somerby is independent, working always for the best interests of the community. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Newburyport. In religious belief they are Methodists.

SAMUEL KENT BELL, attorney at law and business man, connected unofficially with the law firm of Eastman, Scammon & Gardner, of Exeter, was born in this city March 1, 1888, a son of John J. and Cora Lilly (Kent) Bell. The father, a native of Chester, N. H., was son of Samuel Dana Bell, a former chief justice of New Hampshire, 1854-1864; and was cousin of Gov. Charles H. Bell. He practiced law for awhile in Alfred, Me., but sub- sequently removed to Exeter, where he followed his profession for the last twenty-five or thirty years of his life. He was married in 1881 to Cora Lilly Kent, a native of this state, who spent most of her life in Exeter. They had two children-Samuel Kent, the subject of this sketch, and John K., who is also a resident of Exeter. Both parents are deceased.

Samuel Kent Bell, after laying the foundations of his education in the common schools, entered Phillips Exeter Academy, where he was graduated in 1905. In 1909 he was graduated from Dartmouth College and in 1912 from Harvard Law School, being admitted to the bar in the same year. He has since practiced his profession in Exeter, and although a comparatively recent addition to the Rockingham County bar, has already given promise of a bright future career. He is a director of the Exeter Manufacturing Company, also a director of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company, and of the Pemigewasset Valley Railroad Company. Fraternally he is affi- liated with Star in the East Lodge, No. 59, A. F. & A. M., of Exeter ; St. Alban's Chapter, R. A. M., and Olivet Council, of Exeter ; DeWitt Clinton Commandery, Portsmouth; Lodge of Perfection, Portsmouth ; Order Princes of Jerusalem, Portsmouth : Order of Rose Croix, Dover, and New Hamp- shire Consistory, of Nashua, N. H. He is also president of the Exeter Ma- sonic Association, and a member of the Exeter Club and the Swamscott Club of Exeter.

Mr. Bell was married October 17, 1912, to Gertrude True, who was born in Boston, Mass., a daughter of Philip and Georgiana J. (Palmer) True, who were natives of Derry, N. H. Mr. True died some years ago, but his widow is still living and resides in Exeter. They had two children-Wen- dell P., and Gertrude, now Mrs. Samuel K. Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Bell attend the Phillips church. They are popular members of Exeter society and at their pleasant home they not infrequently take pleasure in extending an unostentatious hospitality to their numerous friends.

FRED B. COLEMAN, owner and proprietor of a well equipped drug store at the corner of Congress and Vaughn streets, Portsmouth, N. H., where he has been located for the last forty years, is a well known and

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popular citizen who has taken an active part in local affairs. He was born in this city February 17, 1855, a son of Joseph Wiley and Catherine ( Rand) Coleman. Both parents were natives of Rockingham County, the father being a contractor and builder for many years. He is still living, being now in his ninety-first year. He and his wife had five children, of whom the only sur- vivors are Fred B., and Florence, wife of Rev. John Everingham, a Baptist minister of Warren, Maine. Mrs. Catherine Coleman is now deceased.

Fred B. Coleman, after acquiring his education in the common and high schools of Portsmouth, entered the drug store of J. H. Thacher where he learned the business. June 1, 1874, he took charge of his present store, which had been established by Mr. Thacher in 1865. On May Ist. 1878, he bought out the business and has since conducted it very successfully on his own account. A Republican in politics, he takes an active interest in local affairs and for two years was a member of the common council. He is a Free Mason of high rank, having taken all the degrees in the order including the 33d, which he took at Chicago in September of the present year ( 1914).

Mr. Coleman was married in 1876 to Mary Griffin, a daughter of Orwin and Mary (Locke) Griffin. Her father, a native of Lowell, Mass .. is now in the employ of the Rockingham County Light & Power Company. He is one of the old and original members of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. His wife, Mary Locke Griffin, was a member of the old Locke family of Rye, N. H. They were the parents of five children, of whom three are now living, Mary, who married Mr. Coleman, died in June, 1913; Mr. and Mrs. Coleman were the parents of three children, namely: Florence, who married John Horace Peverly and has one child, Donna; Fred W., who is associated with his father in the drug store, and Ruth Abbott, who is an accomplished musician of the Boston Conservatory of Music. Mr. Coleman and family attend the Christian Church. They have a large acquaintance and stand high among the representative people of the city.

ALMON L. TRUE, proprietor of a general store and station agent for the Boston and Maine Railroad at West Epping, New Hampshire, is a well known citizen of the community, where his family has been a prominent one for many years. He was born in West Epping, January 2, 1856, and is a son of John L. and Harriet .\. ( Tilton ) True.

John L. True was a lifelong resident of West Epping, and was widely known throughout Rockingham County. Beginning life as a poor boy, he worked his way to the front and became a man of affluence. In 1871 he estab- lished a store in West Epping and was the first station agent here, the depot having been built in 1868. A man of industry and great enterprise he was always foremost in promoting the best interests of the place and building it up to an important business center. He was twice honored with selection by the Republicans as party candidate for the State Legislature, but as fortune would have it he ran in years of great democratic landslides. He served as town treasurer, selectman and at times was delegate to state and county con- ventions. He departed this life in March, 1907. much mourned by his sur- viving family and hosts of friends who knew him well. John L. True was married to Harriet A. Tilton, who was born at Sandown, New Hampshire, and now resides in the old home place in West Epping. Five children were the issue of this union, Almon L. being the eldest and only one now living.

At the early age of four years, Almon L. True began attending the public schools of his native town, and continued in school until he was sixteen, a

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part of the time being in attendance in Raymond High School. He then completed a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Manchester, N. H., in 1875. In the same year he accepted a position as passenger brake- man on what was then the old Concord Railroad, continuing in this employ- ment until 1880. In 1880 he left the railroad as his father required his assist- ance in the store at West Epping. He continued in the capacity of clerk and assisted in the duties at the station until 1892, when he purchased a one-half interest in the business. He has since purchased the remaining interest out- standing and in addition is the station agent. His store ranks with the best in point of stock and equipment, and his careful handling of the trade has resulted in a largely increased patronage. He is a man of public spirit and deeply interested in the welfare of the community, but has been too busy to accept of public office, although he did serve for a time as supervisor. He was nominated by the Republican party for the State Legislature, but refused to make the race although strongly importuned to do so.

November 2, 1886, Mr. True was married to Miss Flora S. Houghton, a daughter of Freeman J. Houghton of Westminster, Vt., and they have one son, Edmund C. True, born January 10, 1897. Religiously they are members of the Advent Church. Mr. True is a member of the Masonic order, a Knights Templar and for two years was master of Sullivan lodge, of Epping. They have a beautiful home in West Epping among comfortable surround- ings.

WILLIAM H. BENSON, city clerk of Derry, N. H., and one of this town's most prominent business citizens, was born in Londonderry, N. H., in 1864, a son of Andrew J. Benson. His father was born in Windham, N. H., in 1831. The subject of this sketch acquired his literary education in the schools of Rockingham County and subsequently took a course at the Manchester Business College. He then became connected with the shoe man- ufacturing industry, being foreman of a factory at Derry for twenty years. In January, 1904, he purchased his present business in Derry, namely : Cigars, periodicals, etc., the place being known as "W. H. Benson's Cozy Corner." which he has since conducted very successfully. He is also a director of the Derry National Bank and of the Derry Savings Bank. A Democrat in pol- itics, he has for some time taken an active interest in public affairs, having served on the board of selectmen and as delegate to the last constitutional convention. He was also a member of the New Hampshire Legislature in 1913 that elected Henry Hollis United States Senator, and as such served as a member of the corporation committee. Mr. Benson was the Democratic candidate for State Senator in the Twenty-second New Hampshire District in the fall election of 1914, but was defeated by less than one hundred votes in a district which is usually several hundred Republican. He is a Knight Templar Mason and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Benson was married in 1892 to Miss Fannie M. Wilson, a daughter of Benjamin F. Wilson of Derry, N. H., but formerly of Chester. Two daughters have been born of this union, Wilma H. and Barbara Doris.

EUGENE WESLEY ROSS, a member of the firm of E. W. Ross & Son, milk dealers, of Derry, N. H., whose farm is located on Crystal Avenue, was born in Princeton, Mass., in 1860, where he was reared and educated. At the age of twenty-five he went to Boston, Mass., where he was employed in a bottling works for a short time, afterwards going to work in Tower's

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piano factory, where he remained for four years. His next employment was on a farm in Cohasset, Mass., where he spent two years and a half, subse- quently going to Attleboro, where for six years he drove a milk wagon. He then followed the same line of work in Boston, Mass., for seven years, after which, May 6, 1909, he came to Derry and bought out the milk route of Clarence Knight, being located on East Broadway for about a year. At the end of that time he came to his present farm on Crystal Avenue, known as the Folsom farm, which he purchased and where he has since carried on a successful business as dairyman, being. associated with his son Bert. They have ten head of cows, and run two wagons. They have 15 acres in the farm.

Mr. Ross was married at the age of twenty-one years to Miss Martha Haywood of Malden, Mass., who died a number of years ago. Of this mar- riage there was one child, Bert, whom we have mentioned above. Bert Ross married Viola May Wilson of East Cambridge, Mass., but formerly of Port- land, Me. They have two children, Herbert and Raymond.

JOHN P. THURSTON, a well known citizen and veteran of the Civil War, residing in Derry, was born in Merrimack county, N. H., Oct. 25, 1843, a son of John J. and Eunice N. ( Andrews) Thurston. He was reared in his native county and at the age of seventeen enlisted in Company F, Fourth N. H. Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, being mustered into service at Man- chester, N. H., in September, 1861. With his regiment he went to Wash- ington, where they were armed, and thence proceded to Annapolis. Under Sherman they took Port Royal and erected barracks there, remaining about three months. They went to Florida, where they took Fernandino, St. Augustine and Jacksonville. They were next ordered to Beaufort, S. C., and while there took part in an expedition to Pocatalago and took that place. Here Mr. Thurston was struck in the groin by a minie ball. Their next scene of operations was Foley Island and numerous other islands on the coast. which they took, also taking part in the assault of Ft. Wagner and in the reduction of Ft. Sumter. They then returned to Beaufort, and thence went to Gloucester Point and Bermuda Hundred, where they destroyed the railroad. Their next move was to White House Landing, from which point they opened up communication with Grant's army at Cold Harbor. Return- ing again to Bermuda Hundred, they crossed the river and assisted in taking the outer works of Petersburg, capturing some prisoners. After manning the trenches in front of Petersburg for a while they were sent to Deep Bot- ton, where Mr. Thurston was taken ill with fever and ague and taken to the hospital, where he was at expiration of his term of service. He was then discharged and returned to his home. He served throughout with the rank of private and was never wounded but on the occasion above referred to, when he was in the hospital a short time.

After his return from the war Mr. Thurston found work at the shoe- maker's trade. Coming to Derry about 1874, he here worked for Col. Pills- bury in his shoe factories from the time the Colonel started business until he sold out, since which time he has been practically retired, residing at his home in Derry. He is a member of Wesley B. Knight Post, G. A. R., of which he is Post Commander, Post Quartermaster and is now Post Chaplain, and takes an intelligent interest in the welfare and progress of the community in which he lives. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

OTIS H. WHITTIER

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Mr. Thurston was married about 1874 to Miss Mary I. Stott, of New Market, this county, whose grandfather was an English soldier serving in Canada. Mrs. Thurston died in 1891. She was the mother of one child, Florence M., who is the wife of Arthur P. Nichols, of Derry.

OTIS H. WHITTIER, owner of the hotel Whittier at Hampton, of which he was proprietor for about forty-five years, though now living retired, was born in Raymond, N. H., August 6, 1835, a son of Edmund and Elmira Whittier, the father being a farmer. In his parents' family were five chil- dren: Horace G., Aaron, Andrew, Otis H., and Mary Jane. The last men- tioned, who is now deceased, was the wife of John Lane of Raymond.

Otis H. Whittier, after attending the common schools of Raymond, con- tinued his education in the academy at Atkinson Falls. He began industrial life at Fremont, N. H., working for an uncle who was engaged in the manu- facture of shoe boxes there. He first came to Hampton with Addison Beane, they being partners in the establishment of a hotel. Subsequently Mr. Whit- tier sold out to Mr. Beane and went to Derry, this county, where he con- ducted a hotel for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Hamp- ton and with his father-in-law bought out Mr. Beane, conducting the Whit- tier Hotel until 1911, at which time he retired.

Mr. Whittier was first married to Sarah Beane of Raymond, who died after being the mother of two children, Edward and Ardell, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Whittier married for his second wife, in 1889, Annie Newcomb, who was born in Boston, a daughter of John and Frances Louise (Fawcett) Newcomb, her father being engaged in the oyster business in Boston. In her parents' family were six children: Huntington P .; Ella F., wife of John Keith; Irving and Ernestine, twins; Daisy, who is now deceased, and Annie, now Mrs. Whittier. By his second marriage Mr. Whit- tier has a son, Edmund. He and his wife attend the Congregational church, she being a member of the missionary society of the church. Mr. Whittier is a democrat in politics. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, both he and his wife belonging to Rebekahs.

HANSON HARRISON, general farmer and dairyman in the town of Portsmouth, owning 85 acres of land, was born in Maccan, Nova Scotia, April 15, 1847, a son of Edward and Mary Jane Harrison. His parents never came to the United States. He was educated in the common schools of Nova Scotia and then began farm life, which he has followed ever since. The other children of his parents' family were Lovell, Henry, Stephen, Thomas, Elvira, Hannah and Mary Jane. Mr. Harrison came to this locality in 1892 and has been prosperous as a farmer. He keeps about fifteen head of cattle, including some graded Holsteins. He married Elizabeth Schurman McCallan, daughter of John B. and Mary Jane (Schurman) McCallan, her father being a farmer. She had seven sisters and one brother, namely: Eunice, Minnie, Clara, Elvira, Retta, Sadie, Kate and William C. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are the parents of three children: Walter Stanley, Lewis Adair, and J. E. Ford Harrison. Walter S. Harrison married first Lucy Willey and, secondly, Helen Giles. Lewis A. married Margaret N. Beane. The other son, John Edward Ford, is connected fraternally with the Red Men and in politics votes independently. The family attend Court Street Christian Church.

GEORGE S. ROLLINS, a respected citizen of Derry, now living in retirement, was born in Deerfield, Rockingham County, N. H., August 10,

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1835. His grandfather, Francis Rollins, was one of the early settlers of Deerfield and was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Sewell P. Rollins, father of George S., was born in Deerfield, N. H., March 14, 1803, and was a life long resident of the town. During his active period he was engaged in general farming, and was familiarly known as Capt. Rollins, having served as captain of a company in the state militia. He died in September, 1888. Capt. Rollins married Sophronia C. Lang, also a native of Rockingham county. They had a family of three children, of whom two are now living, namely : George S. and Annie E. One son, Francis S., enlisted for service in the Civil War, in 1861, in Company B, IIth N. H. Volunteers, and died of disease in the South.

George S. Rollins, our direct subject, was reared on a farm, where he remained until he was twenty years of age. He then went to Lowell, Mass., and secured a position with Hapgood Wright, a wholesale and retail dealer in boots and shoes, and for a number of years was traveling salesman for him in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts territory. Desiring to make a permanent home, Mr. Rollins, in 1879, settled at Derry Depot and engaged in mercantile business, being thus occupied for many years, retiring from active business life only a few years ago. He served at one time as postmaster and as agent of the American Express Company, and was also a member of the town board of supervisors. In 1899 he represented the town of Derry in the legislature. In all these various positions he showed ability and fidelity to his trust which won for him in a high degree the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He is a member of Echo Lodge, No. 61, I. O. O. F.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 115

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