History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 127

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

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Francis R. Drake was fourth in direct descent from Lieutenant-Colonel Abraham Drake. Lieut. Col. Abraham, who was born in 1715, went to re- side on the farm at "North Division," where he built what was then termed a "mansion." He was one of the first to take up arms in defense of the colonial liberties. He had previously served as captain in the French and Indian war. On receiving news of the battle of Lexington he hastened south with his regiment and was stationed at Winter Hill, near Boston, after the evacuation he returned to North Hampton. When intelligence reached him of the progress of General Burgoyne, he marched again with his regiment to intercept him and was present at General Burgoyne's surrender. While at Winter Hill he was introduced to General George Washington and afterward attended several councils called by him to decide on important business. Col. Drake died suddenly in his field of apoplexy, August 1, 1781, aged 66 years.

Lieut. Col. Drake was twice married. His first wife was Abigail Weare, daughter of Judge Nathaniel Weare and sister of Hon. Mesheck Weare, first president, or governor, of New Hampshire. She died October 2, 1740.

Weare Drake, son of Lieut. Col. and Abigail ( Weare) Drake, was born December 17, 1739. He lived in a house near his father's homestead, which, on September 28, 1771, he sold to his half brother, Abraham Drake, Jr., to- gether with all the land he owned at North Hampton. ( This is the house and farm now owned by Clifford S. Drake. ) After the sale of this property

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he moved, with his family to land granted to his father, in Effingham, N. H., and from him most of the Drakes in the northern part of the state descended.

Lieut. Col. Abraham Drake married for his second wife Abigail Dear- born, whose great grandfather, Godfrey Dearborn, came from Exeter, Eng- land, in 1639, and settled in Exeter, N. H. From this second marriage the subject of our sketch descended. Four of this Drake family served in the Revolutionary war. Lieut. Col. Abraham Drake and his three sons Weare Drake, Cornet Abraham Drake, and Jonathan Drake. The latter accompanied his father in most of his revolutionary expeditions, and was with him at the surrender of Burgoyne.

Francis Robinson Drake was a descendant of Lieut. Col. Drake's son, Cornet Abraham Drake's son Francis' son Nathaniel. Francis Robinson Drake married Miss Climena S. Hodsdon September 4. 1875, daughter of Col. Joseph and Dorcas (Gowell) Hodsdon of Ossipee, N. H. Her parents were of English and Scotch origin, they were both born at Berwick, Maine. Col. Hodsdon was prominent in Carroll County in business and political matters, was a liberal supporter of the Congregational church where he lived, and active in its management. He represented his town several times in the state legislature and was one of the original promoters of the prohibition law. In politics he was a republican. He went to Ossipee in 1838, where he started in the leather business, which business he followed during his active life.

Mr. and Mrs. Drake had two children, Clifford Sumner and Nima Hods- don. Clifford S. was born at North Hampton, N. H., August 19, 1876, mar- ried December 31, 1901, at Boston,, Mass. Miss Delania T. Ayres, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Milan C. Ayres. Mr. Ayres was for many years editor in chief of the Boston Daily Advertiser.

To Mr. and Mrs. Drake were born: Francis Robert, October 18, 1902; Milan Nathaniel, September 21, 1904; Leonard Ayres, April 8, 1907.

Nima Hodsdon was born April 12, 1881, at North Hampton, N. H. She received her education in the public schools of the town, and at the Girl's Latin School in Boston, from. which school she graduated in 1900 as presi- dent of her class. In 1901 she entered Smith College and was of the class of 1904. She married Rev. Arthur Vale Casselman, of Reading, Penn., July 26, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Casselman, of Reading have one daughter, Louise Climena, born January 12, 1908. Clifford S. was educated in the public schools of North Hampton and at the "Putman School" of Newburyport, Mass. He also took a full business course at Bryant and Stratton's Com- mercial College in Boston, Mass. After finishing this business course he was employed by the Kennedy estate of Roxbury, Mass., in management of "the Warren" and their other large real estate holdings.

In 1898 he started in the real estate business for himself with office at 142 Warren Street, Roxbury, Mass., where he did a successful business. handling most of the new apartment houses in Roxbury. In 1902 his father, Francis R. Drake died and he returned to North Hampton, N. H., to have the care of the large farm and carry on his father's business in conjunction with his own business in Boston. For ten years Mr. Drake remained at North Hampton at the ancestral house and did much to beautify the surroundings of the homestead which had sheltered seven generations of the Drake family.

Mr. Drake was married the second time April 19, 1911, to Miss Ruth M. Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elisha W. Jones of Winstead, Conn. They have one daughter Ruth Elizabeth, born June 11, 1912.

In 1913 Mr. Drake again took up his winter residence in Boston. He

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has a real estate office at 16 State Street. He is a trustee in several Boston real estate trusts, besides continuing his bond and mortgage business in New Hampshire. He still owns the ancestral home at North Hampton and returns with his family each year to live there during the summer months. He holds citizenship in his native town, which town claims his interest in its general and religious welfare.

. FRANK OTIS TILTON, deputy sheriff of Rockingham County, N. H., and a resident of Exeter, was born in Milford, N. H., December 16, 1854. His parents, George and Sarah F. (Nay) Tilton, were both natives of this state, the father being a shoemaker. He died in 1900. His wife survives him and is now a resident of Exeter. They were affiliated religiously with the Unitarian church. Their children were four in number: Georgia A., who is the widow of Frank B. Drew; Frank Otis, the subject of this review; Walter W., who lives in Haverhill, Mass., and Fred, who died at the age of seven years from being accidentally shot.

Frank Otis Tilton acquired his education in the district schools, which he attended until reaching the age of fourteen years. He then learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for some years, being also pattern maker at the Lane Machine Shop in Exeter for about fifteen years. At one time, tiring of the shop, he engaged in trade, opening a store in Exeter, where he handled dry goods, boots and shoes, also groceries for a number of years. A repub- lican in politics, he has long taken an active interest in public affairs and has shown marked public spirit in everything connected with the welfare of the town. He was appointed to his present position as deputy sheriff in 1909. He was formerly building inspector for a number of years, served three years in the office of selectman, and is now a member of the board of health.

Mr. Tilton was married March 24, 1881, to Miss Lettie B. Hoyt. who was born in Portsmouth, N. H., a daughter of Thornton B. and Elizabeth ( Clark) Hoyt. Both her parents are now deceased, and are buried in Exeter. The father was a hotel proprietor in Exeter for a number of years. For about twelve years also he served as deputy sheriff. Mrs. Tilton was their only child. She and her husband attend the First Congregational church in Exeter, he being also a member of the Royal Arcanum.

P. M. CAMPBELL, superintendent of the Derry plant of the Annis Grain & Lumber Company, was born in Londonderry, N. H., a son of Wil- liam J. Campbell. The father, a native of Francistown, N. H., was educated at Harvard University, graduated M. D., and practiced medicine in London- derry for twenty years, being recognized as an able and successful physician.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Londonderry. At the age of eighteen he entered the Pillsbury Shoe Manufacturing plant at Derry and was in the employ of that concern for the following twenty years. He then quit work for a short time on account of ill health, but later went to Manchester and was with his present employers for five years, as man- ager of their store in that city. He then returned to Derry and was in the employ of the Pillsburys until they sold out, at which time he again entered the employ of the Annis Grain & Lumber Company, working for two years in their Boston store, subsequently coming to Derry to assume the duties of his present position, in which he has shown marked efficiency. He is a mem- ber of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 44, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Chapter Royal Arch Masons. He affiliates with the Congregational church.

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Mr. Campbell was married June II, 1902, to Miss Emma B. Abbott, a daugh- ter of J. J. Abbott of Manchester, N. H. He and his wife are the parents of two children, Abbott Rice and Mary Philbrick.

P. F. O'NEIL, assistant superintendent of the Derry Shoe Company, at Derry, N. H., which has the largest factory in Rockingham County, was born in Manchester, N. H., July 23, 1870, a son of Michael and Mary O'Neil. He was reared and educated in Manchester and on completing his schooling be- gan industrial life in the shoe factories, working for some time in the Kim- ball factories, as well as in others. Later he became foreman and boss laster in the factory of George P. Croft & Co., at Manchester, remaining there about ten years. He then went to Chelsea, Mass., where he entered the em- ploy of the Bartell & Thelin Company, being in charge of their last depart- ment for four years and eight months. His next employment was with Donavan & Co., at Everett, Mass., where he had charge of the lasting and making forms for seven years. He then went to the factory of D. D. Le- favre, at Salem, Mass., and from there to the A. G. Walton factory, at Chel- sea, Mass. In 1910, on the starting of the Derry Shoe Company, he came to this village and entered the employ of said company and has since remained with them, now holding the position of assistant superintendent, as above stated. That he is a more than usually competent man in his line is proved by the fact that for a number of years he has held responsible positions in the various factories in which he has been employed.

Mr. O'Neil was married in 1892 to Margaret Shea, who died in 1897, leaving two sons, Robert, who died Oct. 29, 1914, and Harold. Mr. O'Neil was married to Alma Demerse, and has six children: Alma, Helen, Mary, Jennette, William and Alice. Mr. O'Neil and family are members of the Catholic church.

HARVEY PERLEY HOOD, founder of the firm of H. P. Hood & Sons, fourth in size in the dairy business in the United States, also owner and founder of one of the finest dairy farms in the state of New Hampshire, located in the town of Derry, Rockingham County, and comprising over one thousand acres of tilled land and pasturage, was born in Chelsea, Vt., June 6, 1823, a son of Harvey and Rebecca (Smith) Hood.

Mr. Hood was educated in the schools of his native town and after graduating from Randolph Academy returned to the farm, remaining there with his father until he was twenty-three years old. In 1845 he went to Bos- ton and obtained employment in a bakery and it was during this apprentice- ship that he became interested in the dairy industry of New England. The opportunities in this industry seemed to open so great a future that in 1846 he left the bakery and founded the business that still bears his name. In 1856 Mr. Hood found that his health was better in the country and he there- fore gave up his home in Boston and moved to Derry where he continued in the milk business and brought a carload of milk from Derry to Boston each day. Two years later he bought the Redfield farm which he re-named Hood Farm and at once began to improve, remodel and enlarge the old buildings and erect new ones. He was engaged in this work and in the transporta- tion of milk to Boston until his death on June 17, 1900. The business he founded steadily grew until today the firm of H. P. Hood & Sons is known throughout the country as one of the largest and most reputable dealers in dairy products. Mr. Hood, in the early fifties, founded a grain business which has steadily grown in size under the present firm.

Eng by E & Williams & Bra MIT

Harvey Perley Hood

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Mr. Hood was for many years a director in the National Bank of Derry and on two occasions represented the town in the State Legislature. He was known among all his friends and business associates as a man of sterling integrity and great business ability, while at the same time he took a great interest in all benevolent work and in furthering and assisting all plans for the benefit of the town and its citizens. Few men have had so successful a career or have better deserved the reward from intelligently directed industry.

In 1850 Mr. Hood married Miss Caroline Laura Corwin, a native of Tunbridge, Vt., but whose home had been in Boston several years prior to her marriage. Six children were born to this union, three sons and three daughters-Charles H., Edward J., Gilbert H., Laura C., Clara R., and Nellie F. The sons inherit their father's business ability and are carrying on successfully today the great industry which he established and in which he took so active a part.

HENRY PAUL TAYLOR, who for nearly a quarter of a century has been engaged in the grocery business at North Salem, in Rockingham County, N. H., is a successful merchant and an influential citizen. He was born in North Salem, October 29, 1864, and is a son of Matthew and Ellen ( Taylor) Taylor.

Mathew Taylor was for many years one of Salem's most prominent citi- zens, and was an important factor in its business and civic life. He was born in Derry, N. H., in 1828, and came to Salem in 1846. When about twenty- five years old he started in the mercantile business in North Salem, and sev- eral years later became a woolen manufacturer as a member of the firm of Taylor, Austin & Co., manufacturers of flannels. After the destruction of the plant by fire, Mr. Taylor bought the interest of Mr. Austin and pro- ceeded to rebuild. He continued the business successfully until October, 1878, when the mill was again destroyed by fire. He was also a large dealer in lumber and wood. In September, 1884, he started a grocery and provi- sion store with three of his sons in Lawrence, Mass. He was frequently called into public service and was an enthusiastic republican from the time the party had its origin in 1854. He served his town as selectman four years, being chairman of the board two years. He represented the town in the legislature in 1867-1868, and again in 1878-1879. In 1871-1872 he served as state senator and for a period of fifteen years was town moderator. He was a member of the school board for eleven years, four years of the time being chairman of the board. He lived a long and useful life, his death oc- curring in 1908, and was survived two years by his estimable wife. She was in maiden life Ellen Taylor, and was born in Lynnfield, Mass., January 20, 1832. Her father was John Taylor, a woolen manufacturer of Salem and a native of England. The latter was father of the following children: John; James: Richard; Anna, wife of Adam Loomis; Nancy, wife of William Taylor; Jane, wife of Nathaniel Paul; Mary, wife of Charles Austin; and Ellen, who married Matthew H. Taylor. Matthew and Ellen Taylor became parents of the following children: Ellen Louisa, who was born September 7, 1854, and married Levi W. Taylor; John Harvey, born July 20, 1856; Thomas Matthew, born September 6, 1857; Mary Ann, born August 27, 1859, who married, November 30, 1887, J. S. Crosby ; Charles Martin, born November 29, 1860; George W., born January 6, 1863, died December 31, 1898; Henry Paul, subject of this record; Cora Frances, born September 16, 1866, a teacher in Boston; Laura Etta, born February 3, 1869, who married,

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October 22, 1902, George E. Hussey ; Eva Belle, born January 3, 1872, who married, March 10, 1894, H. B. Hamilton; Effie Gertrude, born January 29, 1875, who married, July 5, 1905, Edgar Gilbert; and Fred Lee, born April 4, 1878.

Henry P. Taylor received a public school training, after which he began his connection with the grocery business. He established his grocery in North Salem in 1890, and has been highly successful. He has always taken an earnest interest in public affairs, and for three years served as a member of the school board. He was road commissioner one year, and for the past six years has been selectman. On August 8, 1900, he was united in marriage with Miss Jennie A. Palmer of Derry, and they enjoy a comfortable home in North Salem.

C. H. ABBOTT, who with his sons conducts the Abbott Garage at Derry, N. H., is a substantial citizen and business man who won his way to the front through his individual efforts. He was born in New Hampshire in 1852, and has spent most of the years of his life thus far as a citizen of this state.

Mr. Abbott was about fifteen years of age when he went west to Traverse City, Mich., and there clerked in a store for two years. Returning east he engaged in making carpet slippers in Boston, having learned the shoe cutting trade in Lynn, Mass., when a boy. In 1874 he came to Derry, N. H., and for eight years worked at shoe manufacturing with W. S. Pillsbury. Owing to ill health he had to quit the shop, and during the next twenty years we find him engaged in the livery business. Starting with a single horse he worked hard and as he prospered he added to his equipment until it represented a handsome investment. In 1902 he sold the livery branch of the business for $5,000.00, but retained the teaming and hacking business which had an ad- ditional value of $4,000.00. He handled the Standard Oil business here for more than twenty years, then turned it over to his son who still tends to it. Owing to ill health Mr. Abbott was obliged to retire from all business activ- ity, and after a short time in the south, he retired to his farm in Maine, where he lived for five years. At the end of that period he, with his sons, started the Abbott Garage which enjoys a liberal patronage. Mr. Abbott has always taken an earnest interest in the affairs of the community and of the county. He has taken no active part in political affairs but for a time served as deputy sheriff of Rockingham County.

In 1873 C. H. Abbott was united in marriage with Miss Emma A. Davis of Warner, N. H., and they have two sons and one daughter, namely: Wal- lace W .; Ethel E., wife of George M. Burdette, and James H. who recently graduated from Pinkerton Academy, and is now a student in New Hampton State College.

EDWARD E. McINTIRE, who has been a lifelong resident of Ports- mouth, N. H., is a man of recognized standing and ability, and frequently has been called into public service. In 1890 he represented his district in the New Hampshire Legislature, and during the years 1900 and 1901 he served with marked efficiency as mayor of Portsmouth. He holds a position at the Portsmouth Navy Yard as foreman coppersmith.

Mr. McIntire was born in Portsmouth, in 1850, and is a son of Jefferson and Emma C. (Foss) McIntire, the father a native of York, Maine, and the mother of Dover, N. H. The paternal grandfather, Michael McIntire, was a native of Scotland. Jefferson McIntire was a machinist by trade, and was

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one of the first men elected to the board of aldermen for the city of Ports- mouth. He and his wife were Methodists. They had a family of sixteen children, of which number eight grew to maturity. But two of the family are now living, Jefferson, Jr., and the subject of this record.

Edward E. McIntire received but little school training, attending the pub- lic schools of Portsmouth. At the early age of twelve years he started to work in the copper shop in the navy yard, the same shop of which he now has charge. He learned thoroughly the trades of plumbing and steam fit- ting, tinsmith and coppersmith, and at different times worked at each. In addition to the public service before mentioned, Mr. McIntire served two terms as alderman, and was the first man elected to be plumbing inspector, when that office had its inception. For a period of twenty years he was an active member of the fire department, for two years being foreman of the Hook and Ladder Company. He also was foreman of the Dearborn Steam Fire Engine Company.

In 1870 Edward E. McIntire married Miss Harriet Octavia Martin, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Martin. She died in 1876, leaving to survive her two children, Gertrude Emma and Grace Everett. In religious attachment the family is Baptist. Mr. McIntire is a republican in politics. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the Independent Order of Red- men, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

HERBERT L. GRINNELL, JR., attorney at law, of Derry, N. H., where he has been located since 1904, was born in Bath, Me., in 1881, a son of Herbert L. and Sarah L. ( Kennerson) Grinnell. He began his education in the schools of Bath, and after attending the high school there, entered Bowdoin College, where he was graduated A. B. in 1902. He then spent some time in teaching school, afterwards becoming superintendent of the Derry Supervisory School District. In 1908 he entered the University of Maine and, being graduated LL.B. in 1910, located for the practice of his profession in Derry, entering into partnership with G. K. and B. T. Bartlett. He practices both in the State and Federal Courts and, although a compara- tively recent addition to the bar of Rockingham County, has already shown himself to be a lawyer of more than average ability, with flattering prospects of a successful career. He is a member of the State Bar Association. A republican in politics, he is chairman of the local committee of his party. He has served on the school board for four years and has in other ways given evidence of public spirit, taking a keen interest in everything calculated to advance the moral and material welfare of the community. He is a Knight Templar Mason and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Grinnell was married in 1907 to Miss Jennie N. Bartlett, a daughter of Thomas Bradbury and Victoria (Cilley) Bartlett, of Nottingham, N. H. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church. They have three children-Victoria, George and Mary.

COL. HARVEY CLINTON TAYLOR, manager of the Gale Shoe Com- pany's plant at Portsmouth, N. H., was born in the state of Massachusetts, May 15, 1875. He was one of three children born to his parents, who were Martin and Laura (Floyd) Taylor. He began his education in the public schools and was later a student at Harvard College. In 1903 he came to Portsmouth to assume the duties of his present position. This factory is one of the largest in the state and was formerly operated by the Portsmouth

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Shoe Company, the latter concern being succeeded in 1903 by the Gale Shoe Company. The company has a national reputation for the excellence of their product, turning out the finest shoes on the market. Some four hundred people are employed here, all of whom are under control of Col. Taylor. The company also has another large factory in Haverhill, Mass.

Col. Taylor married Miss Mary Hobson, a daughter of John L. Hobson. of Haverhill, Mass. They have a pleasant residence at No. 96 Islington street. The Colonel is independent in politics. As a citizen he is progressive and patriotic, taking a warm interest in everything calculated to promote the good of the community in which he resides.

LEMUEL S. BECKMAN. a well known and respected citizen of the town of Seabrook, was born in this town, September 14, 1866, a son of Francis C. and Esther A. (Dow) Beckman. He is a grandson of William Beckman, also a native of Seabrook, who was a fisherman. William mar- ried Lydia Knowles and their children were: Lydia Ann, Rhoda, Caroline, Dolly, Lucinda, William E., George R. and Francis C.

Francis C. Beckman was born in Seabrook, N. H., May 20, 1840. He was educated in the public schools, and then worked at shoemaking until August II, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company D, Fourteenth N. H. Regiment: In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of corporal and in 1864 to that of sergeant. Taken prisoner by the enemy, he was confined in Libby prison for some time and suffered many hardships. He was honorably discharged, July 12, 1865, and, returning home, engaged in shoemaking again, being thus occupied until 1872, at which time he engaged in the meat business. From 1884 to 1890 he served as tax collector and constable, and was supervisor of the tax list for ten years. In 1859 he married Esther A. Dow, daughter of Newell and Nancy Dow. Their children were: Frank W., Alfred N., Louisa F., Lemuel S., Laura, Lillian Clara, Leon George and Eugene H.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 127

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