History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 129

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

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Socially Mr. Eaton is identified with the order of Junior American Me- chanics, being a charter member of Passaconoway Council of Seabrook, having served as trustee since it was organized in 1890, and as its secretary for twen- ty-three years. Mr. Eaton is also a charter member of H. M. A. S. of Sea- brook, having served as its recording secretary since its organization in 1887 and as treasurer for twenty-one years. He is also a member of Division No. I, O. R. S. A., of Boston, Mass., member of tribe of Wehanownonit Red Men of Exeter, N. H., and member of the Rockingham Club of Exeter.

HARRY E. WALKER, principal of the Exeter High school, was born at Ellsworth, Maine, June 8, 1875, and is a son of Austin B. and Harriet E. (Eaton) Walker, and a grandson of Nathan Walker. The family is an old and representative one of Hancock County.

Austin B. Walker was born in Orland, Maine, was a merchant for many years at Ellsworth, and died in New York City, January 31, 1896. He mar- ried Harriet E. Eaton, also a native of Maine, and they had the following children : Harry E .; Burton B., who is superintendent and part owner of the Ellsworth Foundry and Machine Works; and Harriet Sophia. The parents attended the Unitarian church.

Harry E. Walker enjoyed excellent educational advantages from boyhood,

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attending first the public schools, in 1893 graduating from the Ellsworth High school and subsequently entering Bowdoin College from which institution he was graduated in 1901. Prior, however, to taking his collegiate course he had been an instructor in the Ellsworth High school for four years, and after leaving college was principal for one year of the high school at Mechanic Falls, Maine, and occupied the same position for four consecutive years at Fort Fairfield, in the same state, following which he accepted the call to Exeter. The educator of today has to meet and overcome many obstacles that were unknown to teachers of an earlier time and which necessitate long and careful training and, at the same time, a much wider extent of knowledge than is found in the text books. Mr. Walker is well qualified to meet every clemand made upon him and is admired and esteemed by his pupils and also enjoys the high regard of the community as a citizen. He lends his influence to all movements in any way educational and at present is serving as one of the trustees of the public library. In politics he is a republican.

On November 26, 1902, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Annie L. Mc- Farland, who was born at Ellsworth, Maine, the only child of Edmund and Emma ( Phillips) McFarland, natives also of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Walker attend the Unitarian church at Exeter and he is clerk of the parish and also superintendent of the Sunday school. He retains membership and interest in his old college societies, the Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Phi Beta Kappa, and is identified also with the Masonic lodge at Exeter.

GEORGE W. PICKERING,* a respected citizen of the town of New- ington, where he operates a farm of fourteen acres, and is also engaged in carpenter work, is one of the town's officials, now serving in his first term as selectman. He was born in Newington February 18, 1861, a son of Joseph Ward and Sarah Q. (Foss) Pickering. The father, a native of Portsmouth, was a sea-faring man to some extent. He was finely educated and worked as accountant for some of the leading business firms of Portsmouth. His wife was a native of Rye, N. H. Both are now deceased and are buried in New- ington. They had three children, Hannah J., George W. and Joseph Ward.

George W. Pickering was educated in the common schools. He was only six years old when his father died and he began industrial life at the early age of nine as a farm boy, receiving his board and $1 per week. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about twenty years. During the last fifteen years or so he has been farming on his own account, also doing carpenter work as he finds opportunity. A republican in politics, he was elected to the office of selectman in March, 1914. and has served also as registrar of voters in the town of Newington. He built his present residence in 1892.

Mr. Pickering was married in 1892 to Annie E. Cook, who was born in New Jersey, a daughter of John and Julia ( Nable) Cook. Her parents never came to this section. They had six children, namely: Joseph, William, Rich- ard, John, Jennie, and Annie E. Mr. and Mrs. Pickering have two children, Margaret and Joseph Warren. The family attend the Congregational church.

W. H. RANNEY, superintendent of the Hood Farm of Derry, New Hampshire, is a scientist in agricultural pursuits and dairying, and by the application of scientific principles has had wonderful results from his work. The Hood Farm is stocked with 349 head of cattle and from thirty to forty men are required to perform the work.

W. H. RANNEY

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Mr. Ranney is a native of Massachusetts, where he was reared and edu- cated. Having decided to follow farming, he determined to make of it a pro- fession, not merely an occupation. He entered the Massachusetts Agricul- tural College, being a member of the Class of 1893. During 1895-96 he was foreman of the farm of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. He then followed various occupations until the fall of 1904, when he re-entered the Massachusetts Agricultural College, taking what is commonly known as the "short course," and graduating in 1905. Then for two years he had charge of the Maplewood farm at Danvers, Mass., it now being the Essex Agricul- tural School. His next position was as superintendent of the Hood Farm, which he has filled since April, 1907.

On January 1, 1900, Mr. Ranney was united in marriage with Susan B. Billings, of Amherst, and they have four children : Roland H., Grace Howes, Marian Louise, and Sarah Helen Elizabeth. Fraternally. Mr. Ran- ney is a prominent Mason. He is a member of the Council, Order of East- ern Star, Patrons of Husbandry, and the Bethany White Shrine, of Jeru- salem. The last named is the only lodge of the kind east of Pittsburgh, and he serves as Watchman of the Shepherd. He is a consistent member of the Congregational Church and is one of the official board.

JOSEPH B. BROWN,* one of the selectmen of Hampton, in which office he has served interruptedly since 1886, and who is engaged in business here as market gardener, was born in Hampton, N. H., July 19, 1862, a son of John G. and Mary A. (Johnson) Brown. The father, who was born in Hampton, was a farmer and for forty years had charge of the Ballard estate, which during that time was the pride of this section. He was a man of re- tiring disposition and domestic tastes. His wife was a native of Ireland, but a Protestant, she and her husband attending the Congregational Church. Their children were: John G., Lottie ( wife of John Bryant ), and Joseph B., the subject of this review.

Joseph B. Brown was educated in the common schools and at Hampton Academy. He has resided in Hampton all his life to the present time, working as teamster, gardener and farmer. He belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Hampton and in politics is a democrat. As above stated, he has been select- man a number of times, having served in that office sixteen years in all. His paternal grandfather was Samuel Brown, while his mother was a daughter of William Johnson. Mr. Brown has never married.

ARTHUR W. DUDLEY, a prominent citizen of the town of Brentwood, who has for years taken a leading part in local affairs, was born in this town, July 22, 1846, a son of Winthrop H. and Mary F. ( Robinson) Dudley. His first American ancestors, who came from England, were among the early settlers in Exeter, the Rev. Samuel Dudley being the first minister in that town. The great-grandfather of our subject, Winthrop Dudley, served in the Revolutionary war as captain of a company from Exeter.

Arthur W. Dudley began his education in the schools of Brentwood, later attended the Pinkerton Academy at Derry, and subsequently entered Dart- mouth College, from which he graduated in 1867. After leaving college he took up the profession of civil engineer, which he followed for about eighteen years, being engaged in railroad work in the West and South. He finally returned to take charge of the home farm, on which he now resides.

Mr. Dudley was first married in 1872 to Mary I. Lamprey, who bore him

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

three children-Fred L., Mary F. and John H. Fred L. is superintendent of water works at Randolph, Vt., and also state engineer for the Central Section of Vermont. He is married and has three children. Mary F. is matron at the Pennsylvania State Insane Asylum. Both she and her brother John H. are unmarried. Mrs. Mary I. Dudley died in 1888, and Mr. Dudley married for his second wife, Clara F. Hook, of Brentwood, N. H., of which union no children have been born. Mr. Dudley is a Republican and has taken an active part in public affairs, having served as representative and selectman, showing marked ability in these various positions. The Dudley farm has interesting historical associations. It forms a part of a large tract originally granted by the British crown to Gov. Thomas Dudley, and extending almost as far as the eye could see. A portion of it has always been owned by the . Dudley family. On it was located the old garrison house, used as a defense against the Indians in early colonial days and during the Revolutionary period. The timbers from the old fort were used in building the present residence. Mr. Dudley keeps the property in first class condition. He is esteemed by his fellow townsmen as a substantial and public spirited citizen, whose aid and council are always valuable in matters of local importance. He and his family attend the Congregational church. His only sister, Miss Sophia Dud- ley, resides at Annisquam, Mass.

GEORGE W. HEATH,* who is engaged in farming in the town of Plaistow, Rockingham County, N. H., is a well known citizen and an honored veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Frederickton. New Brunswick, April 12, 1832, but comes of one of the oldest families of Plaistow. He is a son of James Heath of Plaistow, and a grandson of Nathaniel Heath, who was born in Plaistow, where he farmed and conducted a feeding mill until his death in 1800; and a great-grandson of Matthew Heath, who was born in Plaistow and saw service in the Revolutionary War as a drum major. A brother of the last named was General Enoch Heath of Revolutionary fame.

James Heath, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on Sweet Hill, in Plaistow, in 1800 and for twenty-five years followed his trade as a ship carpenter. He then returned to Plaistow, where he farmed until his death in 1880. He married Huldah Kimball and their children were as follows : Reuben Peaslee; Loran Hoyt; Sarah L., wife of William Cragon; Hannah, wife of Charles G. Sargent ; George W. ; and Julia, who married J. A. Kane.

George W. Heath was born in a log house and was reared among condi- tions far different from those now existing. After attending the common schools for a time, he took up cooking for mill men, and later conducted boarding houses. In 1861, he enlisted as a member of the Fourth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, for service in the Civil War, and saw three and a half years of hard service. At the battle of Drury Bluff, he was hit by two bullets at the same time and was badly wounded. He was stripped of his clothes and was left on the battlefield for dead. After lying there for three days it was discovered he was alive. He was taken to Libby Prison, where for three months he suffered untold hardships and privations. At the end of that time he was fortunately exchanged, and in 1865 received his honorable discharge from the army. He then returned home and successfully conducted boarding houses until 1899. In that year he came to Plaistow, where he has since engaged in farming. He is representative of the best type of citizen- ship and enjoys many friends throughout this region.

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FRED S. FELLOWES, connected with the stationery business of James H. Batchelder, of Exeter, who has also been town clerk of Exeter for the last eighteen years, was born in this town, October II, 1862, a son of Ephraim and Ann T. (Simpson) Fellowes. The father, who was born in Exeter, N. H., and was a merchant here for a number of years, died in 1865. His wife was born near Bangor, Me. They had one child, Ella, who is now de- ceased, and Fred S. After the death of Ephraim Fellowes, his widow mar- ried John W. Clement, a grocer of Exeter. Mrs. Clement is still living, being now in her eighty-third year. She had no children by her second husband.

Fred S. Fellowes was graduated from the Exeter high school in 1879 and at once entered the employ of Mr. Batchelder, with whom he has since re- mained. He was married in 1895 to Miss Emma J. Heaphy, a native of Exeter and daughter of Patrick and Mary J. (Earley) Heaphy. Her parents, who were natives of Ireland, were married in this country, the father being connected with the business of the Merrill's and also with the tannery here. Their children were: Emma J., J. Henry, Mary J., Nellie B., Edward, Annie L., Katherine, wife of James Kennedy, Mary J., the wife of Gail R. Osgood, Nellie B., the wife of Edward E. Lewis, and Annie L., wife of Charles E. Helfer. Mr. and Mrs. Fellowes have three children: Ella Flor- ence, Frederick G., and Robert. Mr. Fellowes is a Republican in politics. Fraternally he belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His family are old residents of Exeter, his paternal grandfather, Ephraim Fellowes, having been a well known and respected citizen of the town many years ago.

DANIEL J. KELLEHER,* station agent for the Boston and Maine Railroad, at Westville, Rockingham County, N. H., and postmaster of that village, is also engaged in farming operations. He was born in Plaistow, Rockingham County, September 4, 1871, and is a son of Timothy and Cath- erine (O'Connor) Kelleher.

Timothy Kelleher was born in Ireland, and came to Newton Junction in 1864. He started to work for the Boston and Maine Railroad, and there- after continued with that road until his death in 1879. His marriage with Catherine O'Connor resulted in the following offspring: Jerry M., who served Plaistow at different times as selectman, tax collector and chief of police; Annie, wife of John Guard; Minnie, wife of Andrew Corwin; Katherine; Lizzie, who married Michael Monahan; and Daniel J.

Daniel J. Kelleher attended the public schools of Plaistow until he was fifteen years old. On April 1, 1886, he was appointed assistant station agent for the Boston and Maine at Westville. He continued as such until his brother Jerry M. Kelleher was killed, and then succeeded the latter as station agent. He is one of the substantial men of the community, and has made many friends.

In April, 1909, Mr. Kelleher was married to Miss Jennie A. Jones, a daughter of John Jones of Kingston, and their children are as follows: Dan- iel J., Jr., born February 4, 1910; Herbert A., born November 1, 1911; and Hugh Thomas, who was born April 19, 1913.

THOMAS NEWICK,* a market gardener and dairyman, owner of forty acres of good land in the town of Newington, was born in England, February 26, 1845, a son of John and Mary (Sinman) Newick. Both his parents died

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

in England. Their children were John, Henry, Thomas, Mary Ann, William and Harriet. The father was a farmer by occupation.

Thomas Newick attended school but a short time in his youth, having to labor for his own support at an early age. At the age of 26 years he came to the United States, going first to Syracuse, N. Y., where for thirteen years he was employed in a malt house. He then came to Rockingham County, N. H., and bought his present farm, on which he has since resided. He is engaged mostly in gardening, and keeps cows, selling his milk in Boston. He is a Republican in politics and has served the town as supervisor and road agent.

Mr. Newick was married in 1869 to Jane Ann Bull, a native of England, in which country they were married. Her parents were Harvey and Ann (Davly ) Bull, the father being a farm hand. The children in the Bull family were Jane, Elizabeth, Samuel. Hepsibah and James. Mr. and Mrs. Newick are prosperous people and have made many friends since settling in this locality.

WILLIAM P. BARTLETT, one of the representative business men of Exeter, for the past thirteen years has been engaged here in the grocery and provison trade and through enterprising methods and reliable goods has built up a large and very satisfactory trade. He is well known over Rockingham County, in which section of New Hampshire he has resided for the last thirty years. He was born at Salisbury, Mass., March 2, 1863, and is a son of James P. and Priscilla ( Jewell) Bartlett.

James P. Bartlett was born and reared in Massachusetts. For a number of years he followed the trade of a shoemaker in his native state, but later in life removed to Rockingham County, N. H. He married Priscilla Jewell, who was born in Maine, and they had the following children: Francis L .; Bessie H., who is the widow of David M. Quimby ; Annie L. and William P. They were members of the Congregational church. They were highly re- spected residents of Kensington, where their death and burial took place.

William P. Bartlett attended the public schools until old enough to become self-supporting, when he became a clerk in a grocery and provision store and during eighteen years in this connection he learned every necessary detail of the business and embarked in the same for himself understandingly, and through buying prudently and selling honestly he has secured public confidence and a large degree of prosperity for himself.

In November, 1888, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Shaw, who is a native of Kensington, N. H., and a daughter of Thomas C. and Charlotte Shaw. She has two sisters: Ella, who is the wife of Philip Quimby, and Lottie. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett attend the Baptist church. As was his father, Mr. Bartlett is a republican in his political views. For a number of years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

WALTER BALDWIN FARMER,* who is engaged in fruit farming in the town of Hampton Falls, and also in the poultry business and insurance business, was born in Arlington, Mass .. April 5, 1876, a son of Elbridge and Nellie M. (Baldwin) Farmer. The father, also a native of Arlington. Mass., was a successful farmer and market gardener, and was the first man in this section to raise cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes under glass. His wife was a

OSCAR S. SPRAGUE

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native of Wenham, Mass. They had two children: Edwin S., a farmer, who has served his town as selectman and as representative; and Walter B.

Walter B. Farmer was educated in the public schools and in Godard School at Barre, Vt., afterwards attending Harvard College. He then went abroad for two years and after his return home engaged in the iron business. Later he entered into the banking business in Boston and was there until December 10, 1912. Coming to Hampton Falls in 1913, he bought the large farm he now owns, known as the Applecrest farm, which before long will be the largest fruit farm in the state, he having set out 10,000 Baldwin, Mackintosh and Wealthy apple trees. He is also largely engaged in the hen and turkey business. His buildings are of the largest construction and are furnished with all modern improvements and it may be safely prophesied that he is on the high road to prosperity. Mr. Farmer was married in June, 1898, to Miss Gertrude Saunders Jones of Leominster, Mass., a daughter of George T. and Carrie Jones. They have two children : Beatrice, born March 16, 1901, and Gwendolyn, born November 9, 1903.

OSCAR S. SPRAGUE, superintendent of the creamery and ice plant and grain elevator of The Hood Company of Derry, N. H., was born at St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada, in 1882. He was reared and educated in Canada and subsequently traveled through a number of the Western States. About 1906 he came to Derry and entered the employ of The Hood Com- pany. He is now serving in his third year as superintendent, having shown efficiency in every department in which he has been placed. A reliable and up-to-date citizen, he has made many friends since coming to Derry. He be- longs to the Odd Fellows lodge in this village. Mr. Sprague was married in 1909 to Miss Margaret Enman of Prince Edward's Island, Canada.

EBEN H. BLAISDELL,* owner of a grocery on McDonough street, Portsmouth, also a member of the city council and for the last four year's assessor for Ward I, was born in this city, July 4, 1863, son of Ebenezer and Myria A. (Tucker) Blaisdell. His father, a son of Eben Blaisdell, was a native of York, Me., and for some years was employed as blacksmith at the navy yard. The mother of our subject was born in Portsmouth. They had six children, of whom three are now living, namely: Arthur W. ; Gertrude. wife of Harry Lombard. and Eben H.

Eben H. Blaisdell acquired his education in the common schools and after finishing his studies found work in a shoe factory. Later he learned the plumbing and steam fitting business, which he followed for about five years. He then became clerk in the city street department under Joseph Hetl, and for some time was chairman of the committee on sewers. He bought his present business in 1901 and has since conducted it successfully. In politics he is a republican, and, in addition to the offices above mentioned in which he is now serving, he was formerly councilman and alderman, member of the board of registration, and representative to the general court from Ward I, serving four years. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Red Men, the Elks and the P. A. C.

Mr. Blaisdell married Miss Clarinda Waterhouse, who was born in Ports- mouth, N. H., daughter of James A. and Deborah ( Davidson) Waterhouse, her father being a clerk in the navy yard. Mrs. Blaisdell was one of two children, the other being Clement M. Mr. Blaisdell is an enterprising citizen, who has had a good deal to do with local affairs, being also a veteran fireman. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

JOHN HOWARD GROVER. a prominent real estate dealer of Ports- mouth, N. H., handling his own real estate and making a specialty of tenement houses, building and selling, was born in this city, April 9, 1855, a son of Josiah and Helen A. (Stackpole) Grover. The father was a native of York, Maine, and a son of Joseph Grover. The mother was from Portsmouth. Joseph Grover died when his son Josiah was a mere infant, and the latter, when old enough, went to sea with a brother. Later, while still a boy, he began to learn the painter's trade, and after acquiring a good knowledge of it, went into business for himself in Portsmouth as painter and decorator, which occupation he followed to the end of his life, dying at the age of about fifty- eight years, after acquiring a fair competence. He was well known as a master of his craft and as a good citizen, and was also in the best sense a self- made man, as he never went to school a day in his life, but acquired a suffi- ciently practical education and succeeded in life by means of his own exertions. He and his wife were the parents of nine children. Mrs. Josiah Grover is still living and resides on State street, Portsmouth. They were members of the Christian Baptist church and in politics he was a democrat.

John Howard Grover, who was the eldest child of his parents, acquired his education in the public schools, which he left at the age of about four- teen years to assist his father. He worked with the latter for ten year's, and then started into business for himself as painter and paper-hanger. This business he has carried on for twenty-five years, employing at the present time from five to eight men, although in recent years he has given his atten- tion largely to building and real estate. as above mentioned. He is doing a prosperous business and is now regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Portsmouth. He belongs to the Blue Lodge of Masons, to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Red Men, and the Royal Arcanum.

Mr. Grover married Mary H. Gove, a native of Massachusetts and daughter of George W. and Sarah (Lucas) Gove. She was one of a family of six children, her father being a locomotive engineer. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grover, but both are now deceased. Fred H. died at the age of thirty-three years, leaving a widow, whose maiden name was Myria W. Ayers; they had a son Harold Everett, who died, aged four years and two months; Bettie, the younger child of our subject, died at the age of four days. Mr. and Mrs. Grover attend the Methodist church, Mr. Grover being chairman of the building committee of the new church, soon to be erected.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 129

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