History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 133

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

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Husbandry. Religiously he is a Baptist and is a member of the official church board, serving as treasurer.

RALPH E. MERAS, treasurer and general manager of the Ralph E. Meras Company of Exeter, dealers in house furnishings, was born in Dover, Me., February 26, 1877, son of Fernando and Margaret Ellen (Manning) Meras. The father, a native of Spain, was well known as a merchant and real estate owner, and was also engaged in farming during his latter years. His wife, of old New England stock, was born in Hope, Me. Both are now deceased and are buried at Dover, Me. Their children were: Florence J .; Remona, wife of John H. Green; Emma O., wife of Eben Merchant ; Leonor, wife of Leonard Wilkinson; and Ralph E.

Ralph E. Meras began his education in the common schools of Dover, Me., subsequently attended the high school, and later Foxcroft Academy, Camden, Me., High School, Hebron Academy (Me.), and the Phillips Exeter Academy. While attending the Phillips Academy, he started his present busi- ness which is an incorporated concern, with Charles C. Smith, of Boston, president, and Walter Clyde Spaulding, of Exeter, secretary. He has been very successful and this concern is now one of the largest business houses in Exeter.

Mrs. Meras was Ada L. Frye, of Camden, Me., daughter of Fred P. Frye, whose wife was in maidenhood Sarah Clara Waters Carleton Smiley, grand- daughter of Maj. Moses Carleton. Mr. and Mrs. Meras have three children : Norman E., Halford Frye, and Margaret L. Mr. Meras is best known as a prohibitionist, and his family attend the Christian Science Church.

FRED CLARENCE BUXTON, of Salem Depot, N. H., is a man of substance and of varied business interests. Whether in public service or in private venture he has given the same energy and capable management to the affairs at hand and the success he has met with is traceable solely to his in- dividual efforts.

Mr. Buxton was born in Salem, N. H., June 12, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Rhoda Ann ( Kimball) Buxton, both of whom are now deceased. They had two other sons: Arthur, now deceased, and John William. The father came to Salem at an early date, and for eighteen years followed the undertaking business. He was also for fifteen years engineer in the shoe factory of B. R. Wheeler.

Fred Clarence Buxton was educated in the public schools of Salem, in Pinkerton Academy at Derry and in Atkinson Academy. After working for a time at shoemaking, he, in 1880, engaged in the mercantile business, starting as a clerk in a grocery store at Salem Depot. After one year he formed a partnership with Frank D. Wilson, under the firm name of Buxton and Wil- son, and carried on a general store business. In a short time Mr. Buxton bought out his partner's interest in the firm. For many years he carried on the business alone, finally selling out. Some time after he engaged in business again and now has the leading periodical and stationery store in Salem. In 1892 he opened a livery stable, which he conducted successfully until 1900, when he sold out. He bought and sold carriages and harness for a number of years and also dealt in all kinds of grains. Realizing the need of a drug store in Salem, he fitted up a store and rented it for a time and then sold it. In 1880 he was appointed postmaster and, with the exception of the time covered by the two Cleveland administrations, has since discharged the duties

Samuel Leurke

Frances Chorale Clarke.

PRero Alaska

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of that office. He has been express agent during the past twenty years. Mr. Buxton is one of the three proprietors of the Rockingham Hotel; he was a director of the Salem Light, Heat and Power Company, and was treasurer of the Salem Water Works Company. He is a republican in politics and at different times has served one year each as selectman, tax collector and town treasurer.

November 27, 1887, Fred C. Buxton was married to Miss Etta S. Tilton, who was born in Raymond, N. H., a daughter of Rufus A. and Mehitable P. (Towle) Tilton. Fraternally he is a member of S. Pickett Lodge, No. 85, F. & A. M., of Salem Center; Monadnock Lodge, No. 145, I. O. O. F., of Lawrence; Graniet Colony, No. II, United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, of Salem Depot, and Enterprise Grange, No. 281, Patrons of Husbandry, of Salem Center.

GEORGE C. CLARKE, a prosperous farmer of Derry, was born in Low- ell, Mass., April 22, 1867, a son of Robert H. and Frances (Choate) Clarke. The father, born on the old Clarke homestead in Derry, November 8, 1842, was a farmer and carpenter, and one of the prominent citizens of this town, serving as selectman in 1887, 1888, 1889 and 1893; in the seventies he served as town treasurer, and in 1895 as representative to the legislature. He was a son of Samuel Clarke, who was born December 27, 1798, in Rockingham County, N. H., on the English Range. Samuel also was a farmer all his life, and a man looked up to by his fellow citizens, serving as selectman and as representative to the legislature, so it would almost seem as though the capac- ity for dealing with public affairs was inherent in the Clarke family, which is one of the oldest in this section, the first Clarke coming here in 1719.

The mother of our subject, Mrs. Frances (Choate) Clarke, was born in Lowell, Mass., March 21, 1847. She is a representative of the old Choate family of Essex. Her paternal grandmother, James Choate, was one of the sturdy patriots who crossed the Delaware with Washington and participated in the attack on the Hessian post at Trenton, N. J., on Christmas night, 1776. After the war was over and the cause of American liberty had triumphed, he purchased a farm in Rockingham County, N. H., and spent the rest of his days in this locality, no doubt telling many an interesting story of the great struggle to his children and descendants. Robt. H. Clarke died Dec. 12, 1906. He and his wife had five children, namely: George C .; Lillian May, wife of Albert E. Colcord; Emily Bertha, a school teacher for over twenty years; Edith L .; Emma Josephine, wife of Ernest L. Davis, who has two children, Kenneth W. and Lillian. They reside in Manchester.

George C. Clarke was reared in this locality and in his youth attended Pinkerton Academy. He was afterwards for four years in the wholesale grocery business at Manchester, N. H. Subsequently, like his ancestors, he took up farming, in which occupation he has since been engaged successfully. He is one of the well known citizens of this town, having a wide acquaintance, and universally esteemed, having those steady characteristics that have made New England people famous the world over. In politics he is a Republican, taking a warm interest in the development of the community in which he resides, both along moral and material lines.

JOHN C. McDONOUGH, a man of business activity and a well known citizen of Portsmouth, N. H., is joint owner, with William P. Gray, of The Scenic Temple. In addition to this theatre and hall, this firm conducts a line

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of moving picture theatres throughout the state of Maine. Mr. McDonough is a native of Portsmouth, the date of his birth being March 10, 1868, and is a son of Richard and Frances ( Eagan) McDonough, natives of Ireland.

Richard McDonough was a carriage painter by trade and for many years was foreman in a factory in Portsmouth. He died in this city, where his widow still resides. They were married in Manchester, N. H., and became parents of the following children: Mary Frances, mother superior in the convent at Lebanon, N. H. ; Hugh, deceased; John C., whose name heads this record; Katherine; Elizabeth E., a teacher in the Portsmouth schools; Annie B., also a teacher in the local schools; Richard D., who is night editor of the Portsmouth Chronicle and is also truant officer and juvenile justice of the police court; Charles, who died at the age of twenty-two years; and William H., who is a carriage painter.

John C. McDonough attended the public schools only until he reached the age of thirteen years. He clerked in a gentlemen's furnishings store, and later for a time in a shoe store. He was then variously employed, working for a time at carriage painting, the trade of plumber, and at ship building. He then embarked in the theatrical line-about the year 1899. He leased a hall which he rented out for various purposes and meetings, and met with such success that he ventured into his present business about seven years ago. He has taken an interest in civic affairs and for two years served as clerk for the street commissioners, and a like period as clerk of the board of assessors.

In August, 1899, Mr. McDonough married Frances Katherine Mahoney, who was born in Greenland, N. H., and is a daughter of Thomas Mahoney. One child was born of this union. Jocelyn E. In religious faith. the family is Catholic. Mr. McDonough affiliates with the Order of Elks. Royal Arcanum, the Portsmouth Athletic Club, the Portsmouth Country Club, and the Board of Trade.

THOMAS E. HOWARD,* a prominent business man of Derry, N. H., is a manufacturer of paper and wooden boxes and has a well established business. He is a native of Boston, Mass., and has been a resident of Derry for a quarter of a century.

Mr. Howard was reared and educated in Boston, where he lived until after reaching his majority. He has traveled considerably and represented various lines of business. About twenty-five years ago he located in Derry, N. H., and engaged in shoe manufacturing. About 1909 he bought out the .A. J. Greenough box factory, which he has since operated with unvarying success. Mr. F. M. Gilreast is foreman of the paper box branch of the plant. and Mr. Everett Hearn is in charge of the wood department, there being some thirty employees in the two departments. About one million feet of lumber are annually cut up and made into boxes, while the number of paper boxes manufactured approximates thirteen thousand.

In 1897 Mr. Howard was married to Miss Myrtie E. Gage of Derry, N. H., a native of Salem, Mass. They have a daughter. Louise Howard. He is a member of the Masonic Order and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

EDWARD L. PATERSON,* contractor and builder of Portsmouth, N. H., is a man of good business standing and is highly successful in his line. He is a Canadian by birth, having been born in Nova Scotia, October 26, 1869. Mr. Paterson is a son of Andrew and Melinda ( Rynes) Paterson. His father is deceased and his mother still resides in Halifax county, Nova Scotia. The

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children of the family consisted of the following: Robert, Alexander, Charles, Edward L., Mary Jane ( deceased wife of Walter J. Andrews), and Letitia.

Edward L. Paterson attended the local schools of his native place until he was about sixteen years of age, and thereafter assisted his father on the farm for a short time. At the age of nineteen he crossed the line into the United States, locating directly in Portsmouth, N. H., where he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpentering trade. He has followed carpentering for a period of twenty-five years, and during the last ten years has engaged in contracting. His ability and integrity are recognized and success has at- tended his efforts.

In 1897 Mr. Paterson was joined in marriage with Charlotte May Durgin of Greenland, Rockingham county, a daughter of Frank Durgin, who still resides in Greenland and follows his trade as carpenter in association with the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Durgin is deceased. The children of the family are: Howard; Percy; Nellie, wife of J. Pettigrew; Grace, wife of William Swinnerton; Cora, wife of Edgar Dart; and Charlotte May, wife of Edward S. Paterson. Mr. and Mrs. Paterson have one son, Frank, who attends Portsmouth High School. Politically, our subject is an independent voter, giving preference to the man he deems best fitted for the office. He is a member of Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum. Patrons of Husbandry, and the Young Men's Christian Association. Religiously the family is Baptist.

PRESTON M. GOODRICH, a well known and esteemed citizen of Derry, N. H., a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Newton, N. H., in 1849, a son of Evander and Emily B. (Carter) Goodrich. The father was born in Pultney, Vt., but came to Rockingham county, N. H., when a boy. He was a shoemaker by trade. He served three years in the Civil war as a member of Company C. Sixth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, his eldest son, Thomas P. Goodrich, being a member of the same company. The latter, who was in eighteen of the principal battles, for the last twenty years has been employed in the New York office of the Provident Life & Trust Company. The subject of this sketch has two other brothers and a sister, namely: Daniel A., residing in Danvers, Mass .; Warren T., of New York City, and Mary E. Freze, of Lowell, Mass.

At the time of the breaking out of the war Preston M. Goodrich was working as clerk in a store in Haverhill, Mass. In June, 1864 -- being then under fifteen years of age, as his birthday did not come until September-he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-ninth Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Infantry and was sent on detached service in Virginia and Kentucky. engaged in break-, ing up the guerrilla warfare. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky., in September. 1865. Although having had many narrow escapes, he was never wounded.

After returning home Mr. Goodrich went to Manchester, where he learned the painter's trade, at which he worked for six or seven years. The next twelve or thirteen years of his life were spent in traveling over the New England States in the interests of Odd Fellows' insurance. During the most of the time other than that mentioned above he has been engaged in shoe- making. He is a member of Wesley B. Knight Post, G. A. R .; is past noble grand and past chief patriarch in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. belonging to the Lodge, the Encampment and the Rebekahs, and is also a member of St. Mark's Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

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Mr. Goodrich was married in 1866 to Miss Sarah L. Pierce, of Candia, N. H., who died in 1904, leaving four children, namely: Lizzie S., wife of James A. Lyford of Kingston, N. H .; Emily J. Green, of Chester, N. H .; Preston E., of Chester, N. H., and Frank P., of Derry. Mr. Goodrich mar- ried secondly, in 1905, Mrs. Lizzie E. (Adams) Hardy, who was reared in Quincy, Mass., and is a daughter of William A. Adams, a Civil War veteran, who served three years in the Sixteenth Light Battery of Massachusetts. Mrs. Goodrich belongs to the Rebekah Lodge of Odd Fellows and the Woman's Relief Corps, and is a member of the South Christian Church at Haverhill.

ROBERT R LEAR,* owner and proprietor of a flourishing grocery and provision store at No. 95 Mechanic street, Portsmouth, N. H., and also one of the port wardens, was born in this city September 5, 1866. a son of William H. and Mary E. Lear. The father was a stevedore by occupation. He and his wife are now both deceased. They had a large family of twelve children, nine of whom are still living.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, which he attended until seventeen years of age. He then found employment as clerk in a dry goods store, subsequent to which he worked in a shoe factory for seventeen years. He then started his present business, in which he has been successful. In addition to groceries and provisions, of which he keeps a large and well selected stock, he deals in gasoline and yacht supplies, and also has a branch store at Little Boar's Head, North Hampton. In his Portsmouth store he employs two men. Mr. Lear is a member of the republican party and takes an active part in local politics, being now a member of the city, state, county and ward committees of his party. He belongs to the Ports- mouth Yacht Club, the Country Club, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; also to the Masonic order, in which he has taken nine degrees. He married Anna L. Marr. daughter of Holman P. Marr, a shipwright of Kit- tery, Me. They attend the North Congregational church.

NEWELL S. TILTON, of Exeter, N. H., owner of forty acres of land, and who also owns a share of sixty acres of the Tilton estate, is engaged in general farming. He was born in the town of Exeter, July 26, 1851, a son of Joseph and Martha J. (Smith) Tilton, both of Stratham. The father was a carpenter and farmer, following agriculture during his latter years. In politics he was a republican and he and his wife were affiliated with the Methodist church. He was one of nine men who organized the First . Metho- dist Church of South Boston, Mass., he going to Boston in 1834. He sub- sequently returned to Exeter, however, and spent his latter years here. He and his wife are both deceased.

Newell S. Tilton was educated in the common schools and subsequently learned the carpenter's trade with Lemuel Bunker at Rye. N. H. After having followed it for six years he engaged in lumbering and farming and was thus occupied until he became road agent, in which office he served for seventeen consecutive years. He is a republican in politics. He belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined January 26, 1875, and is past grand of his lodge, of which only three of the original members are now living.

Mr. Tilton was married April 13. 1893, to Miss Nellie A. Favor, a native of Weare, N. H., and daughter of Hiram and Mary ( Proctor ) Favor. Her

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father was connected with the saw-mill industry. The children in the Favor family were Sidney, Eva (now deceased, who was wife of Charles Lund), Nellie A., now Mrs. Tilton, and Burt. Mr. and Mrs. Tilton attend the Phil- lips Congregational church.

WESLEY W. PAYNE, employed in the shoe factories at Derry, N. H., who has also taken a prominent part in public life, was born in Londonderry, N. H., October 18, 1858, a son of Samuel N. and Nancy D. Page Payne. His father, a native of Chester, this county, was a carpenter by trade. He served in the Civil War, being one of the first to go to the front in 1861, The mother of our subject was born in Haverhill, Mass.

Wesley W. Payne was reared and educated in Londonderry and in early life became connected with the shoe industry in that place. In 1880 he came to Derry, of which town he has since remained a resident. For a number of years he was shoe sorter in the factory of Col. W. S. Pillsbury, and later worked in the Hardy factory.

Mr. Payne was married in 1889 to Mabelle L. Sefton, daughter of James Sefton, commander of Upton Post, G. A. R., at Derry, N. H.

Mr. Payne is interested in a number of different enterprises, especially in all those concerned with the good of the general community. He was repre- sentative in the state legislature in 1907-8, serving on the committee of incor- porations ; was re-elected in 1909-10 and served on Committees of Incorpora- tions and Liquor Laws. At this writing his name is before the republican primaries as candidate for state senator, and in view of his public record, there can be no doubt but that he would serve with credit in the upper house. He attends the Baptist church and has affiliated fraternally with the Red Men, the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., the Sons of Veterans and the N. E. O. P.

GEORGE R. PALFREY,* a thriving merchant and well known citizen of Portsmouth, N. H .. having a well stocked grocery and provision store at the corner of Maplewood avenue and Dennett street, was born in Portsmouth, September 30, 1869, a son of William W. and Ida ( Rynes) Palfrey. His father and mother were natives of Boston, Mass., and Portsmouth. N. H., respectively. Both are deceased and were buried in Portsmouth. The father, William W. Palfry, was a civil engineer and was clerk in the Navy Yard for a number of years. He was a republican politically and he and his wife at- tended the Unitarian church. Their children were: George R., Harry B., William H., Robert R. and I. Miller.

George R. Palfrey attended the common schools until reaching the age of seventeen years. He began industrial life in a printing office, where he was employed for two years, subsequently becoming clerk in a clothing store in Portsmouth, remaining with the concern for seven years. He then spent a year in Boston in the same line of business, at the end of which time he re- turned and took charge of his present store, which was previously owned by his father-in-law. He gives employment to two hands and is doing a pros- perous business. He is also the owner of some good real estate in Ports- mouth. A republican in politics, he served two years as a member of the city government, has been selectman from his ward, a member of the fire depart- ment twenty-five years, and now holds the office of inspector of petroleum. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and Elks.

Mr. Palfrey was married in January. 1897, to Mary E. Hoyt. who was born in Newington. N. H .. a daughter of Hanson and Mary Frances ( Down- ing ) Hoyt. Mrs. Palfrey's father was a merchant of Portsmouth ; her mother

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came from Newington. They were well known and respected residents of this city and she was their only child. With her husband she attends the Unitarian church. They are people of wide acquaintance and have many warm friends in Portsmouth and the vicinity.

CHARLES H. MERRILL,* a respected citizen of Exeter, N. H., who is now living a retired life in this city, was born here in 1862, a son of Joseph W. and Emeline (Shute) Merrill. Joseph W. Merrill was born in Exeter, a son of Abner Merrill, who came here from Newburyport, Mass. He was educated in the common schools of Exeter and subsequently engaged in the wool business here, being associated therein with his brothers. They had a successful career 'and accumulated an ample competence. Though not active in politics, Joseph W. Merrill once served in the legislature, being elected on the republican ticket. He and his wife Emeline, who was also a native of this city, were the parents of two children: Emma, who died when eight years old, and Charles H., the subject of this sketch.

Charles H. Merrill acquired his education in the common schools of Exeter, including the high school, and at Phillips Exeter Academy, where he grad- uated in 1883. He has never adopted an active business career, but has served at times in local office, his political affiliations being with the republican party. He was married in 1904 to Miss Louise Miller, of Philadelphia, Pa., a daugh- ter of Albert Miller. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal church. They are people of culture and refinement and move in the best society of the town, taking a keen interest in all matters pertaining to its welfare.

CHARLES I. ALEXANDER, one of the leading citizens of the town of Windham, of which he has been town treasurer for the last eight years, was born on the old Nesmith homestead. at Windham Junction, N. H., June 10, 1854. His parents were Gilbert and Hannah C. ( Nichols) Alexander. The father, born in Londonderry, this county, was in early years engaged in getting out ship timber, the latter part of his life being spent on his farm at Windham Junction. His wife Hannah was born and reared in Windham, both coming of old families in this section.

Charles I. Alexander. was reared in Windham and was educated here and at Hudson, N. H. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, being con- nected with it from 1876 to 1884. He then entered the employ of the Edison Electric Illumination Company, of Lawrence, Mass., and in 1888 was made superintendent for the company. He remained with them until 1891, at which time he engaged in electrical contracting for himself. About two years later, in 1893, he formed a partnership in the Lawrence Electric Supply and Con- struction Company, and was connected with that company for fifteen years. In 1909 he withdrew from the company and formed the company of C. I. Alexander & Sons, with offices in the Bay State Building at Lawrence, Mass .. the company dealing in electrical supplies and construction work.

Mr. Alexander resided in Lawrence from 1876 to 1896, in which latter year he built his fine residence on the banks of Canobie Lake, where he has since lived. In 1904 he bought the old Smith farm of 140 acres. on the bank of Corbett Pond. where there is a fine summer resort and about twenty cot- tages, two of which he owns. Since becoming a resident of this county he has taken an active interest in local affairs and, as above stated, has served eight years as town treasurer.

Mr. Alexander was married in 1877 to Miss Mary .1. Humphrey, who was

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born in Derry, N. H., a daughter of William C. and Balinda Humphrey. He and his wife have two sons living, Aaron O. and Charles I., Jr., both being associated with their father in the electrical supply and construction work. Mr. Alexander is affiliated fraternally with the Red Men, belonging to a lodge of that order in Lawrence. He and his family are highly esteemed in Wind- ham, where they have made many warm friends.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 133

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