History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 117

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 117

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HARRY E. PHILBROOK, one of Portsmouth's successful business men, is a member of the firm of H. E. Philbrook & Co., extensive wholesale and retail dealers in flour, feed and grain. He also is interested in the Meredith Grain Company, which operates at Meredith, N. H.

Mr. Philbrook was born at East Tilton, N. H., in 1877, and is one of five children born to Lester and Anna (Johnson) Philbrook, namely: Olin S., Harry E., Percy W., Marie May and Verne H. The father is a native of East Tilton, and the mother of Bow, N. H. Lester Philbrook was pro- prietor of a livery prior to becoming high sheriff of Bellknap County, N. H., in which official capacity he now serves.

Harry E. Philbrook, after a course of study in the common schools,

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

entered the employ of J. S. Morrill at Laconia, N. H., where he continued for two years. He then engaged in the livery business at Lakeport, N. H., for six years, at the end of which time he joined with his former employer, Mr. Morrill in the purchase of the business of W. H. Kilburn & Co. at Ports- mouth. The firm name was changed to H. E. Philbrook & Co. and the con- cern has gained rank among the thriving enterprises of the city. Four men and a bookkeeper are employed.

October 10, 1900, Mr. Philbrook married Miss Evelyn F. Semple, who was born in Laconia, N. H., and is the only child of John A. and Lizzie (Hinkley) Semple. Her father, during his active years, was engaged as a tinsmith. This marriage has been blessed with one son, Earle S. Philbrook. The family residence is at No. 392 Wibird Street, Portsmouth. Mr. Phil- brook has taken advanced work in Masonry, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum. In religious attachment, he and family are Congregationalists.

MARVIN FISHER SMITH, M. D., the oldest practicing physician in the town of Hampton, was born in Newbury, N. H., January 28, 1852, a son of Moses S. and Adeline ( Adams) Smith, the father being a shoemaker. All the members of his parents' family are now deceased except himself. He was educated in the common schools of Hockington, N. H., and in 1869 began the study of dentistry at Manchester, N. H., where he resided two years. He then went to Pittsfield, where he practiced dentistry until 1882, after which he removed to Epsom, N. H., coming from that place to Hamp- ton, May 5, 1888. He studied medicine at Burlington and at Dartmouth Medical College, graduating in the class of 1882. Dr. Smith has been physi- cian and surgeon of the pension board for twenty years. He has also served as coroner of Rockingham County and was formerly medical examiner for several insurance companies. In politics he is a Republican and has served three times as congressional delegate for the town of Hampton. Dr. Smith was married August 18, 1878, to Miss Mary Ella Randal, a native of Pitts- field, N. H. He and his wife attend the Congregational church. They are the parents of two children-Gertrude R., born in Pittsfield, N. H., Oct. 5, 1879, and Gerald A., born in Epsom, N. H., Jan. 23, 1885.

WILLIAM A. HANSCOM, in former years a well known resident of Portsmouth, was born in South Berwick, Me., in April, 1840, a son of Jothan and Sarah (Warren) Hanscom. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and after a residence of some time in Portsmouth engaged in the hardware business with a brother in Haverhill, Mass., where he passed away February 7, 1886. The estimation in which he was held may be best expressed by quoting from an obituary notice which appeared in a local paper :

"Mr. William A. Hanscom, who passed to his rest Sunday morning, February 7th, was a good type of the highest class of the men who have made New England famous. Of great business integrity, a good son and a devoted and faithful husband, his hand was always open to the calls of deserving poverty, and in his many charities he obeyed the scriptural injunc- tion to the letter, and his right hand knew not what his left hand did. As a citizen he felt always a deep interest in public affairs and his views on mat- ters of local interest were clear and well expressed. In social life he was a

GEORGE E. SEAVEY

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warm friend and his loss will be mourned by the entire community in which he had been for so many years a prominent citizen. 'An honest man is the noblest work of God,' and most assuredly there passed away on that bright winter Sabbath morning a man who in all his dealings merited that proud appelation."

EUGENE W. ARMSTRONG, a successful business man of the town of Windham, where he operates a general store, was born in this town, Decem- ber 23, 1865, a son of William H. and Elizabeth Armstrong. His father, who is a farmer and butcher, is still a resident of this town, and is a son of Davidson Armstrong, and a member of one of the old families of this sec- tion.

Eugene W. Armstrong was educated in Windham and reared to manhood on his parents' farm, on which he lived until coming of age. He then started out in life for himself and for twenty-four summers worked for the Mt. Washington Railway. Six winters he spent in Florida, working for Ander- son & Price at the Ormond Hotel. He engaged in his present business Feb- ruary Ist, 1910, and since starting has built up a good trade. He is also interested to a considerable extent in real estate in this town. A Democrat in politics, he was his party's candidate for representative in 1910 and 1912, and although the town is overwhelmingly Republican, he gave his opponents a good race and made a creditable showing. He affiliates religiously with the Presbyterian church.

GEORGE E. SEAVEY, formerly a prominent lumber dealer and saw- mill operator, and one of the leading citizens of the town of Windham, Rock- ingham County, N. H., was born in Pelham, Hillsborough County, N. H., June 20, 1839. His parents were Benjamin and Sarah (Coburn) Seavey. He was a grandson of Joseph Seavey, who in his day was a prominent citizen of Pelham.

Benjamin Seavey, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pel- ham, and early in life learned the wheelwright's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Later he engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and, removing from Pelham to Windham, carried on that business here until his death in 1886.

George E. Seavey was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents to Windham. After leaving school he became associated with his - father in the lumber business, and continued with him until attaining his majority, at which time he engaged in the business for himself in the eastern part of the county. Later he established himself at Windham Depot, where he carried on a flourishing lumber business until his death, which occurred August 18, 1910. For thirty years he was a prominent factor in the lum- bering manufacturing industry of this section. An active and public spirited citizen, he took a prominent part in local politics, serving four years as select- man, for a number of years as supervisor, and representing the town in the legislature in 1883-84 and again in 1893. He was a member of St. Marks Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Derry, and was prominent socially, having a large acquaintance throughout the county, to whom his death was a source of great sorrow.

Mr. Seavey was married. November 10, 1868, to Miss Mary Ballou, a daughter of Edward and Isabella ( McGregor ) Ballon, of Derry, N. H. Mrs. Seavey's ancestry can be traced back through successive generations of the

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

McGregors to the first settlers in Rockingham County. . Mrs. Seavey sur- vives her husband and resides in Windham, where she is widely known and highly esteemed.

SAMUEL F. CAMPBELL, chairman of the board of selectmen of the town of Windham, N. H., was born in Marlborough, Mass., May 21, 1882, a son of Alphonso F. and Eliza M. (Johnson) Campbell. He was reared and educated in Windham, where he came with his parents as an infant. and was graduated from Pinkerton Academy in 1902, after which he attended the New Hampshire State College for two years and a half. His father dying in 1904, he returned home and took charge of the farm, the father, although a carpenter by trade, being engaged chiefly in farming and stock raising. The son has continued his father's work, and now has thirty head of registered Holstein cattle, of which he makes a specialty. His farm is the best stocked in the town of Windham. In addition to his work in connection with it, he is also interested in lumbering, doing a prosperous business along all these various lines. He has long taken an active interest in public affairs, and in addition to his service as chairman of the board of selectmen, he is also chairman of the school board and a member of the library committee. In the Masonic Order he has advanced as far as the Council. He also be- longs to the Grange, of which he is master; to the Eastern Star Lodge at Derry and the White Shrine, and is a member of the official board of the Presbyterian church of Windham.

CORNELIUS O. PHILBRICK, a well known citizen of the town of Rye, owning about four and a half acres of land, and having various busi- ness interests, was born in Boston, Mass., February 10, 1854. His parents died when he was a child and he was adopted by Oliver B. Philbrick and came to the home in which he now lives when two years old. When a young man he followed the mason's trade for about two years and then went into the hotel business, being connected with it for a number of years. For seven- teen years he had charge of Ex-governor Straw's cottage, and subsequently for twelve years conducted the Washington Hotel. He is now engaged in heavy teaming and contract work, is also a coal dealer, and has charge of fourteen places on the beach, for which he does teaming. He served as deputy sheriff of this county under Marcus M. Collis for eight years, and has been policeman of the town for twenty-eight years; was also truant officer, was road agent seven years, and surveyor for a number of years. In all these various positions he has served faithfully and well and has the reputation of a useful and reliable citizen. Mr. Philbrick married Miss May Powers of Hampton, a daughter of George W. and Clara ( Clements ) Powers. Her father, a native of Boston, was a machinist and musician; her mother was from Hampton, N. H. Mrs. Philbrick was a lady of marked musical talent. She was salaried organist in the Congregational church in Rye for 21 years, and at one time had thirty-five pupils on the piano, pipe organ and flute. Her musical education was obtained partly under private tutors and at the Boston Conservatory of Music, of which famous institution she was a graduate. She died September 19, 1909, at the age of fifty-six years and nine months, her loss being greatly mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Philbrick is a republican in politics. He is a member of the Junior Order American Mechanics.

WILLIAM CLARK

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CHARLES A. DRAKE, now living retired on his fifty acre farm in the town of Rye, was born on his present farm in 1832, a son of Cotton W. and Martha (Parsons) Drake, his parents being farming people of Rye. Their children were: Elizabeth, wife of Oliver P. Jenness; Annie, wife of Hiram Fuller ; Myria; James, and Abbie, wife of Dudley Littlefield.

Charles A. Drake was educated in the common schools and at Hampton Academy. He then began to assist his father on the latter's farm and remained thus associated with him until the father's death, at which time the farm became his property. It was bought by his grandfather and the latter's brother in 1799 and has been owned in the Drake name ever since. Jonathan Drake, the grandfather, moved here in 1800, since which time the place has been occupied by members of the family. Charles A. Drake married Helen Weeks, a daughter of John Calvin Weeks, and his wife Mary (Greenough) Weeks. Mrs. Drake had two sisters, Abbie and Annie. The following chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Drake; Edwin, who married Marcia Clark of Rye, and assists his father on the farm (he has a daughter Helen) ; Elizabeth, wife of Charles F. Smith, a farmer of North Hampton, and has three children, Arnold, Roger and Byron; Catherine, who was the wife of Dr. C. F. Patterson, formerly of Rye but now deceased; and Percy.

Mr. Drake is a republican in politics. He served as selectman one year and was also representative from Rye for one year, serving efficiently in both . offices. He and his family attend the Congregational church.

ORIN B. LEAVITT, a farmer and dairyman of North Hampton, where he owns thirty acres of land, was born on his present farm, October 8, 1848, a son of James R. and Elizabeth ( Marston) Leavitt. Both his parents were born in this town and are here buried. The father was a farmer and stage driver and established the stage line between North Hampton and Rye Beach. He and his wife attended the Congregational church, of which he was a deacon. Their children were: James A., Orin B., Abbie E., wife of Frank Seavey, and Sarah A., wife of Fred Grant.

Orin B. Leavitt acquired his education in the common schools and at the New Hampton Institute. He then took up his present occupation of farm- ing and dairying, in course of time inheriting the farm from his father. He ships his milk to Salem, Mass. Mr. Leavitt's paternal grandparents were Phillip and Dorothy (Fogg) Leavitt, and his maternal grandfather Jeremiah Marston.

Mr. Leavitt was married October 20, 1888, to Mary O. Drake, who was born in North Hampton, daughter of Freeman and Mary .(Hobbs) Drake. Her father, a farmer, was son of Samuel and Mahitable ( Pickering) Drake, while her mother, Mary Hobbs, was daughter of John and Lucinda ( Dear- born) Hobbs. Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt have two children: James F., who married Ruth Knowles; and Raelene, who is a student at Smith College, Northampton, Mass. Mr. Leavitt is a republican and has been more or less active in local affairs. He is cemetery warden and is now serving as super- visor of the check list. He is a charter member of the Relief Association of North Hampton. He and his family are affiliated with the Congregational church.

WILLIAM CLARK, a widely known and highly esteemed citizen of Londonderry, N. H., was born in this town July 22, 1844, a son of Reed P. and Elizabeth ( Perkins) Clark. His paternal grandfather was Ninian Clark,

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a native and life-long resident of Hillsborough County, N. H. A sketch of Reed P. Clark, our subject's father, may be found on another page of this volume.

William Clark, the direct subject of this sketch, after attending the public schools, prepared for college at Pinkerton Academy. Instead of entering college, however, he enlisted, September 3, 1864, as a private in Company D, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. On the organization of the com- pany he was made a corporal. The regiment was assigned to duty in the defense of Washington, and was thus engaged during its period of service.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the army, Mr. Clark re- turned home and engaged in agriculture, working on the farm during the summer and teaching school in the winter. He was thus occupied for a num- ber of years both in New Hampshire and Michigan. He was intrumental in organizing Londonderry Grange, No. 4, which he has served as master, sec- retary and trustee, and he also assisted in managing the first grange fair held in this town. Actively interested in politics, he was a member of the state legislature during two terms, and for several years served on the republican state committee. From 1876 to 1886 he was deputy sheriff of Rockingham county, and he has also held other offices, serving efficiently in all. He organ- ized the Londonderry Soldiers' Monument Association and worked zealously in the movement which culminated in the erection of the magnificent soldiers' monument in the town. He is past commander of Wesley B. Knight Post, G. A. R., and past master of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 44, A. F. & A. M.

William Clark was married, August 23, 1876, to Alice W. McIntire, a native of Reading, Mass., and daughter of Amos and Mary (Gorman) Mc- Intire. They have been the parents of two children, namely: Reed Paige Clark, the present receiver general of customs for the Republic of Liberia (see separate sketch), and Ralph W. Clark, who is now deceased.

GEORGE L. BARKER, a highly successful agriculturist and a repre- sentative citizen of Rockingham County, N. H., resides upon his farm of 190 acres in the town of Stratham. He was born in that town, May 3, 1864, and is a son of Levi and Hannah (Jewell) Barker, and a grandson of George and Mary C. ( Piper) Barker.

Levi Barker, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Stratham where his entire active career was spent in farming. He became a man of affluence and his death which occurred about 1897 deprived the community of one of its most useful citizens. He was united in marriage with Hannah Jewell. who also was born in the town of Stratham and is a daughter of David and Rachel (Leavitt) Jewell. The following are the issue of this union : George L., with whom his mother lives on the home place ; Willard : Mary, wife of Ellis G. Walden; Frank H .; Ralph; and Edith.

After completing the prescribed course in the public schools, George L. Barker attended Wesleyan Academy two terms. He then returned home and continued farming with his father until 1888. In that year he went to Exeter and learned the trade of a machinist, which he followed for five years. With the exception of that period his entire life thus far has been as a farmer and as a resident of Stratham. He is a man of progressive ideas and is deeply interested in the affairs of his home community. He is an independent republican in politics, and is serving his third year as treasurer of Stratham. He formerly served as selectman and auditor, and is now one of the library trustees. Fraternally, he is a member of the Junior Order

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United American Mechanics, and of the Patrons of Husbandry. He has been a consistent worker in the Baptist church, of which his mother also is a faithful member, and he served the church organization as clerk, treasurer and collector.

WALLACE W. COLE, a real estate man and an extensive dealer in pine lumber, is one of the foremost citizens of Salem, New Hampshire. He was born in Boxford, Mass., November 19, 1855, and is a son of Ephraim and Sarah (Spofford) Cole, and a grandson of Lieutenant Kimball Cole, who was born in the same house as the subject of this sketch, in Boxford.

Ephraim Cole, the father was born in Boxford, July 6, 1809, and fol- lowed farming throughout his active business life, dying April 23, 1879. His wife was Sarah Spofford and they became parents of the following: William Kimball, who was born January 6, 1834, and died in Iowa, October 23. 1856: George S., who was born July 22, 1836, and was deputy sheriff for twenty-five years; John F., who was born January 20, 1841, a soldier in the Union Army, being a member of Company F., 35th Massachusetts, who died in the hospital at Philadelphia, June 14, 1864: Charles W., born April 3, 1844, also a member of Company F, 35th Regiment of Massachusetts, who died at Newport News, Virginia, March 3, 1863; Sarah Jane, born March 3, 1846, married M. T. Wadlin; Arthur E., born September 30, 1848; Joseph F., born September 28, 1851 ; Wallace W .; Roscoe K., born February 28, 1861 ; and Eliza, who died in infancy.

Wallace W. Cole received his educational training in the public schools of Boxford, after which he worked in a carriage shop a short time. Then returning to the old home, he followed the trade of carpenter for five years. In 1877 he came to Salem, New Hampshire, and for a time engaged in the butcher trade. He gave up that business to engage in the real estate business. He is the most extensive dealer in realty in this vicinity, and also deals in pine lumber on a large scale. He was selectman for seven years, was trustee of the public library, and also served as representative of his town in the New Hampshire Legislature and also as Senator. He is the leader of the republican party in Salem and has always been foremost in working for party success.

December 24, 1878, Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Miss Ida D. Colby, daughter of William C. Colby, and their issue is as follows: Mabel, born January 26, 1880; Minnie S., born April 25. 1882; Gertrude C., born September 6, 1884: Clarence W., born January 20, 1888; Edith L., born May 21, 1891 ; Eva M., born July 5, 1895: William M., born September 27, 1896; and George W., born July 9, 1889. Fraternally Mr. Cole is Past Master of Spickett Lodge No. 85. A. F. & A. M .; is a member of St. George Commandery: Bell Royal Arch Chapter No. 15, of Derry; Becktash Shrine; and the Pilgrim Fathers. He also has been treasurer of the local Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.

SIMEON ALBERT SHAW, who owns and operates a farm of forty- five acres in the town of Hampton, and who has been librarian of the public library for the last 38 years, was born in Hampton, N. H., August 23, 1856, son of Simeon and Sarah E. (Lamprey ) Shaw. Both his parents were natives of this town, the father being a section boss on the railroad. He was a republican in politics and served as selectman, and he and his wife were affiliated with the Congregational church. Both are now deceased. Their

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children were: Simeon Albert; Mary Esther, who married John C. Blake and is now deceased; Charles E., now deceased ; Martha A., wife of Jotham B. Blake: Flora Webster, wife of Albert C. Wilbur; Charles Edward and Fred M.

Simeon A. Shaw, after attending the common schools in his boyhood. was a pupil for three years at Hampton Academy, after which he took a commercial course in Boston. He then settled down on his present farm and has since been engaged in agricultural operations, meeting with good success. Politically he is a progressive republican and served efficiently as selectman for three years.

Mr. Shaw married Abbie I. Cole, a daughter of William G. and Hannah ( Brooks) Cole, of Eliot, Me., her father being a tanner and currier doing business in Portsmouth and Saco. Mr. Cole was twice married. Hannah Brooks being his first wife. The other two children, aside from Mrs. Shaw, Everett S. and Myron W., being now deceased. By a second marriage, to Susal L. Page of Hampton, he had three children: Anna M., who is a teacher ; Ernest G., a prominent merchant of Hampton and also postmaster here: and Hattie, deceased. Both Mrs. Shaw's parents are now deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are as follows: Elroy G., one of the selectmen of Hampton, who married Jessie Crosby and has five children; Everett S., a graduate of Yale College, who is a mining engineer in Colorado; Ethel, wife of Archibald Lantz, and Thelma May, residing at home with her parents. The family attend the Congregational church, of which Mr. Shaw is clerk. He also belongs to the Grange of which he is Past Master. He is an enterprising and prosperous citizen and he and his family stand high in the community.

ELLIS G. WALDEN, a successful business man of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a dealer in groceries and provisions and has a well estab- lished trade. He was born in Portsmouth, May II, 1875, and is the only child born to Thomas F. and Malvina (Tucker) Walden. Thomas Walden was a butcher during his active business career but is now living a retired life at Greenland. Both he and his wife were born in Portsmouth.

Ellis G. Walden attended the common schools, and began his business career as clerk in the store of L. D. Duntley at Greenland. After one year, he started a butcher wagon for himself and through nine years of hard work combined with careful management and the practice of economy, accumulated enough capital to enable him to build a building and establish his present store. That was ten years ago and marked progress has been made with each succeeding year. He is a man of ability and standing and possesses the happy faculty of making friends.

In December, 1897, Ellis G. Walden was married to Mary F. Barker of Stratham, New Hampshire. She is a daughter of Levi and Hannah (Jewell) Barker. Her father was a farmer by occupation. The Barker family con -. sisted of the following children: George L., Willard, Mary F. (Walden). Frank H., Ralph and Edith J. Mr. and Mrs. Walden became parents of three: Marjorie F., George R., and Earl B., who died at the age of five and a half months. Religiously the family holds membership with the Congrega- tional church at Greenland. Mr. Walden is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Council, Chapter and Commandery.

REED P. CLARK, whose death on April 8, 1882, deprived Londonderry, N. H., of one of its most useful and public spirited citizens, was a son of

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 117

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