History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 134

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

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ARTHUR W. SCHURMAN,* who is a prosperous business man of Portsmouth, N. H., is proprietor of a seed and implement store. He has been a life long resident of this city and enjoys an extended acquaintance among the citizens of Rockingham County.

Mr. Schurman was born in Portsmouth, and is a son of Solomon A. and Clara ( Mason) Schurman, natives of Nova Scotia but now residents of Ports- mouth. Solomon A. Schurman is a farmer by occupation and was founder of the business now conducted by the subject of this record. He is a repub- lican in politics, and with his family attends the Methodist Church. He and Mrs. Schurman became parents of the following children : Joseph L., James Albert, Willis S., Blake T., Arthur W., Walter S., and Milton G.

Arthur W. Schurman attended the grade and high schools of Portsmouth, after which he pursued a commercial course of study. He worked with his father on the farm some four years, then engaged in the milk business for a period of three years. He next became identified with the seed and imple- ment house established in Portsmouth by his father in 1894. He purchased the latter's business in 1903, and has since conducted the store in a highly successful manner, enjoying a wide patronage over the county. He now has four men in his employ. He is unmarried and makes his home with his parents on the Sherbourn road. He also is a republican, and is a loyal member of the Order of Elks. 1

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, one of the proprietors of the Weeks and Seward drug firm, of Exeter, was born at Fall River, Mass., July 24, 1873, a son of Henry and Catherine ( Pomfret) Seward. His parents, both natives of England, settled in Exeter about 1875, the father obtaining a position as boss of the weave room in the cotton mill of the Exeter Manufacturing Com- pany. He died in August, 1889. His wife is still living and resides in Ports- mouth. They were Episcopalians in religious faith. Their children were : William H .; and Elizabeth A., wife of Joseph A. Eaton, a pattern maker in the navy yard at Portsmouth.

William H. Seward was educated in the common and high schools of Exeter. In June, 1888, he entered the employ of Cram & Anderson, drug- gists, of Exeter. Later he took the junior course in pharmacy in the Massa- chusetts College of Pharmacy, passing the state board examination in 1895. In March of that year he and his partner, Mr. Weeks, purchased the business, which they have since carried on successfully. They keep an ample stock of pure drugs and their store is favored by a large patronage. Mr. Seward affiliates politically with the republican party. He is a Free Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Exeter, and to the Commandery at Portsmouth. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge in Exeter.

He was married in September, 1901, to Miss Ethel M. Maxwell, a native of Exeter and daughter of Jefferson and Eunice (Stover) Maxwell, whose other children were Fred K. and Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Seward have two children, Gertrude and Grace Eaton. They attend the Congregational church and are well known and highly esteemed residents of Exeter.

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ROBERT CAPSTICK,* proprietor of a green house on Roger street, Portsmouth, N. H., is a successful business man and has many friends and acquaintances in the city. The progress he has made is the result of hard work and persistent effort, combined with careful management, and redounds to his credit.

Mr. Capstick was born in England, October 6, 1861, and is a son of Wil- liam and Sarah Jane (Lill) Capstick. The parents were natives of England and always lived in that country. They were members of the Church of England. Their children were: Sarah Jane, William, Margaret, Richard, Elizabeth, Robert and Anne, wife of Thomas McTurk. Mr. Capstick was a farmer, butcher and merchant at different periods, and was a substantial man.

Robert Capstick attended the common schools only until he was ten years old, when his career in business began. He worked at general farm work for a period of eight years and then turned his hand to gardening. When he reached the age of twenty-one, he emigrated to the United States, locating first at Bay View, where he was employed in a green house for two years. He then continued in that line at Boston for a time, after which he located in Portsmouth, N. H. His first work here was as gardener for H. Fisher Eldridge, with whom he remained two and a half years. Following this he was for nine years manager for M. E. Hutchinson and Company. He next bought his present place, which he has conducted with uninterrupted success. He has one thousand square feet under glass and has four men employed. He is engaged in the retail trade, finding a ready market for his products in Portsmouth.

Mr. Capstick was married in 1898 to Mary A. Quinlan, who was born in Portsmouth, a daughter of Luke Quinlan. After a happy association of but one year, Mr. Capstick was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife by death. In religious attachment they were Catholic. He is a member of the Foresters, Knights of Columbus, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Patrons of Husbandry.

FRANK M. McGREGOR, who is connected with the Walton Shoe Com- pany of Derry, N. H., of which town he is a well known and popular citizen, was born in Londonderry, this county, September 1, 1864. His parents were David and Mary (Nesmith) McGregor. The father David was born in what is now Derry in 1817 and was a farmer and carpenter by occupation .. He died in 1891. The original ancestor of the McGregor family in this country was Rev. James McGregor, who emigrated from Ireland, and in 1719 came to Nutfield, now Derry, accompanied by nineteen families, all immi- grants. They took possession of a tract of land, and on the day of their arrival attended religious service, the sermon being preached by Rev. James McGregor. This sermon was delivered by him while standing on an oak tree, which stood on the east side of Beaver Lake.

Frank M. McGregor was reared and educated in this locality and began industrial life in the shoe factory of the W. S. Pillsbury Company, where he worked for some time, afterwards working in other factories until he entered the employ of the Walton Shoe Factory, where he now has charge of the sorting of the upper leather department. He is a well known and popular citizen, taking an active interest in public affairs. He has served on the board of selectmen of the town, was representative in the state legislature one term and has served as a member of the board of auditors. He is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Red Men and Knights of the Macca-

Benjamin adams

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bees, being a past officer in all of them. He also belongs to the Grand Lodge both of the Red Men and Knights of Pythias.

Mr. McGregor was married July 14, 1887, to Miss Alice A. Waugh, of Winthrop, Me. He and his wife have been the parents of five children, namely : Donald R., who is now in California; Carl F., Edith, Lillian and Dorothy.

JOHN AUGUST HETT,* who has been engaged in teaming and truck- ing in Portsmouth, N. H., for a period of thirty years, is well known in the city where he has many friends. He was born in Germany, November 30, 1856, and is a son of Johanus and Susannah ( Boss) Hett. Johanus Hett was a lifelong resident of Germany, although he did make a visit to the United States. His wife died about the year 1860. Their children were as follows : Anna, wife of M. Hett, she being the only child in the family who did not come to the United States to live; Henry; Joseph F .; Valentine; and John August.

John August Hett attended grammar school in Germany after which he learned the trade of a mason. He came to the United States when twenty- two years of age, landing in New York City, where for one year he worked for his brother, Henry, as blacksmith and wheelwright. He then came to Portsmouth, N. H., to accept work as a mason on Christ Church. He worked at his trade here for a year and a half, and then worked on the cotton mill at Fall River. Returning to Portsmouth, he worked one year for his brother, after which he started his present line of business for himself.

Mr. Hett was first married to Miss Mary Bennett, a native of New York and daughter of Henry and Catherine Bennett. She died February 21, 1905, and was buried in Portsmouth. They reared the following children: Annie, wife of Frank Leary; Alice; Clara ( Wiseman) ; Bertha, wife of Wade Jen- kins ; Gladys ; and Nettie. Mr. Hett was married November 17, 1908, to Mrs. Mabel (Marks) Bemas, a widow, and a daughter of Frank Marks, who came to Portsmouth from Maine during the Civil War. She was one of three children : Harry B., Bernice, and Mabel. Mr. Hett is a republican in politics and served two years as councilman. He also represented his district in the State Legislature three terms, namely in 1907, 1909 and 1911. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason; also a member of the Odd Fellows ; Knights of Pythias, and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Religiously they are members of Christ Church.

BENJAMIN ADAMS, in former years one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of the town of Derry, was born in Salem, N. H., June 10, 1824, a son of Edmund and Elizabeth (Karr) Adams. His early paternal ancestors were residents of Massachusetts. His uncle, Jacob Adams, who died in 1823, gave $800 to the parish for the purchase of a bell and left a fund for the establishment in Derry, N. H., of the Adams Female Semi- nary, which was the first incorporated academy for young ladies in the state. It was put under the charge of Miss Z. P. Grant, and afterwards the dis- tinguished Mary Lyon, and for many years enjoyed a prosperous and useful existence, but has since been discontinued.

Edmund Adams, father of Benjamin, was born in Massachusetts. He was at the garrison at Portsmouth during the War of 1812-15. He resided at Salem, N. H., until 1830, when he removed with his family to Derry, where he bought the farm now owned by his grandson. He also engaged in

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lumbering, erecting a saw-mill near his home. In politics he was a Democrat. He died in 1856. His wife, Elizabeth Karr Adams, before her marriage was a resident of Derry, having been born here.

Benjamin Adams was educated in the district schools and at Pinkerton Academy, outside of school hours making himself useful on his father's farm and in the saw-mill. When the father died, he and his brother, Edmund, Jr., took charge of the business, conducting it successfully under the firm name of Adams Bros., their association being continued until the death of Edmund Adams Jr., in July, 1892. Benjamin Adams died in March, 1901. He had acquired wealth in the lumber business and was a widely known and respected citizen. Although a prominent Democrat, he never aspired to public office.

On December 15, 1884, Benjamin Adams married Katherine J. Foster, of Cheshire County, N. H., a daughter of Henry P. Foster, a native of the same county, who served in the War of 1812-15. Mrs. Adams' maternal grandfather, Daniel Marsh, served in the Revolutionary war as a soldier in the American army. Mr. and Mrs. Adams had one son, Benjamin Foster, a sketch of whom may be found in this volume.

BENJAMIN FOSTER ADAMS, a wealthy resident and highly esteemed citizen of Derry, N. H., was born on the old family homestead in this town, September 9, 1888, a son of Benjamin and Katherine J. ( Foster) Adams. The father, Benjamin Adams, was born in Salem, N. H., and when a small boy settled with his father Edmund on this homestead. His entire active career was spent in the lumber and milling business, in which he was pre-eminently successful, becoming a very wealthy man. At his death, which occurred in March, 1901, he left a sum of $10,000 for the erection of a library building in Derry, and the result of that donation is the fine Adams Memorial Building, in which the citizens take much pride and which attracts the attention of every visitor. It contains a fine stock of well selected books and is an important factor in the educational life of the village and town. His wife, Mrs. Katherine J. Adams, is still living and is a highly respected resident of Derry.

Benjamin Foster Adams acquired his early education under a private tutor. He subsequently graduated from the Newton High School and, in 1912, from Dartmouth College, receiving the degree of A. B. His time has since been occupied in looking after the parental estate. Aside from this, he has some important business interests, being a stockholder in several Bos- ton corporations.

Mr. Adams was married, December 27, 1913, to Miss Josephine C. Clark, of Cambridge, Mass. He and his wife attend the First Church at East Derry. His society affiliations include membership in the K. K. K. of Dartmouth.

ALBION E. HAYES, SR., proprietor, with his brother Warner, of a flourishing drug store on Front street, Exeter, N. H., who is also a Mason of high degree, was born in Lowell, Mass., January 3, 1877, a son of Joseph L. and Violette ( Berry) Hayes. The father, born in Nottingham, N. H., who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1889. His wife is still living and resides in Exeter. Their children were: Clara, who married Clarence Hoitt ; Albion E .. Warner, Abbie E. and Harry L.

Albion E. Hayes, after graduating from the Exeter High School in 1892,

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entered the drug store of A. S. Wetherell, with whom he learned the drug trade, passing the state examination at Concord. His brother Warner, who graduated from the high school in the class of 1897, also applied himself to learn the trade, becoming a fellow clerk with the subject of this sketch. This store had been started by Mr. Wetherell in 1898, and, after remaining in his employ for twenty-one years, our subject, in partnership with his brother, purchased the business on October 15, 1913. They carry a large stock of fresh and pure goods and are enjoying an excellent patronage.

Albion E. Hayes was married February 10, 1910, to Miss Grace L. Rock, a native of Brentwood, N. H., and daughter of Joseph and Helen (Dudley) Rock, her father being a carpenter. Of this union have been born six chil- dren-Rodney, Benjamin, Fred, Ralph, Leonard and Stella. Mr. Hayes gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum at Exeter, while he and his family attend the Baptist church.

Since May, 1913, Mr. Hayes has been grand lecturer of the First Masonic District of New Hampshire and an officer of the Grand Chapter. He is past master of Star in the East Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; past high priest of St. Alban's Chapter, at Exeter, a member of the Commandery at Portsmouth, and of the Shrine at Concord, N. H.

JAMES W. SCHURMAN,* representative of Ward Three in the council of the city of Portsmouth, N. H., is a well known citizen and business man. He is engaged in supplying ice in the city, running two teams, and has a well established business ..

Mr. Schurman was born in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, in 1848, and is a son of Isaac and Miriam (Lowe) Schurman. The mother died while they were on a visit to Portsmouth, and Mr. Schurman returned to Nova Scotia, where he remained until his death. He was an agriculturist. The mother was of the Baptist faith, her father having been a Baptist minister, while the Schurmans are Methodists. They reared a family of eleven children, of whom eight are living.

James W. Schurman was reared in his native county, where he attended school until he was sixteen years old. He was engaged in various kinds of work until he came to the United States about the year 1878. He located immediately in Portsmouth, N. H., and for a period of four years was em- ployed by H. A. Yeaton in the grain business. He next rented and conducted a farm for two years and at the end of that time embarked in the ice business, which he has carried on since with uninterrupted success.

In 1879 Mr. Schurman was married to Miss Katie McCauley, who was born on Prince Edward Island. They have had the following children : Miriam; Anna, wife of A. D. Foster, bookkeeper for the electric company at Dover, N. H .; and James Maxwell, who died at the age of nine years. The subject of this record is a republican in politics. He is a member of Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Osgood Lodge, I. O. O. F. Religiously the family attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN D. HART, a well known business man of Derry, N. H., dealer in wood and coal, has been a resident of this town for the last forty-five years. He was born on Prince Edwards Island in 1857, a son of William and Jane (Banks) Hart, and was about ten years old when he came to New Hamp- shire with his parents. After acquiring his education in the common schools

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he followed farming for a while, but later became connected with the Gage & Jones Company, of Lawrence, Mass., lumber dealers, and was with them for twenty-three years, making his home in Derry. In 1902 he severed his rela- tions with that firm and entered into the lumber and wood business for him- self, also dealing in coal, in which line of business he has since been engaged successfully. He buys tracts of timber, which he manufactures into lumber, finding a ready market for his product. He has two yards, one operated by himself and the other by his son, William.

Mr. Hart was married in 1902 to Etta Currier, of Hampstead, N. H., the only issue of this marriage being the son above mentioned. Mr. Hart is one of the leading citizens of Derry, highly respected by all who know him for his genial disposition, his square dealing as a business man, and his public spirit, which leads him to take a useful interest in whatever makes for the moral or material betterment of the community in which he lives. His career and personal character give ample evidence, were such needed, that men of foreign birth can vie with the native stock in all the attributes of good Amer- ican citizenship.

FRANK E. AVERY, representative in 1912-13 to the state legislature from the town of Londonderry, Rockingham County, N. H., was born in Londonderry, this county, in November, 1867. His father, J. Mason Avery was also a native of Londonderry, where he resided most of his life, being one of the town's best known citizens. He married Julia Upton, and they had five children, of whom three are now living, namely: Mark, who is a, resident of Lowell, Mass. ; Alice, wife of William Sanborn, of Nashua, N. H., and Frank E., subject of this sketch.

Frank E. Avery was educated in the schools of this locality and at Pinker- ton Academy, and since coming to man's estate has been engaged in farming. In connection with his father he had charge of the Londonderry Spring Water Company, and for the last fifteen years has had personal charge of this con- cern. He has also been engaged in the lumber business, buying timber and having it converted into lumber for the market. He operates a large farm and has been very successful in this line of enterprise. He has taken a prom- inent part in public affairs, having served on the board of selectmen four years, and the school board three years. He is the first democrat to be elected to the state legislature from the town of Londonderry in the last fifty years, which speaks well for his popularity.

Mr. Avery belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; also to the Grange at Londonderry, of which he was overseer three years.

He was married in 1889 to Miss Florence Putnam, of Hudson, who is a descendant of General Israel Putnam of Revolutionary War fame. He and his wife are the parents of two children: Lena M., a graduate of Nashua high school, and Roy P., residing at home with his parents. Mr. Avery is a member of the Presbyterian church, which he is serving in the office of deacon.

HERMAN A. BRACKETT,* an extensive dealer in cattle, horses and sheep, is also engaged in butchering on his home place and finds a market mainly in Portsmouth. He takes standing among the substantial men of the city and has a wide acquaintance.

Mr. Brackett was born in Portsmouth, N. H., May 20, 1861, and is a son of Charles E. and Martha E. (Tucker) Brackett, being an only child. His parents were both born in Portsmouth. His maternal grandfather was John

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Tucker. Charles E. Brackett followed the butchering business throughout his active career, and continued to reside in his native city until his death in November, 1894. He was a democrat in politics and for a time served in the city council. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Waldron) Brackett, were early residents in Rockingham County.

Herman A. Brackett attended the public schools until he was sixteen years old, and early in life embarked in the meat business with his father. This has been his one line of work and he knows it from every angle. He con- tinued with his father until the latter's death, and then established himself in the business. He has always taken an earnest interest in civic affairs, and has served both on the council and as alderman.

Mr. Brackett was married February 20, 1884, to Miss Virginia V. Shan- non, who was born in Portsmouth, N. H., and is a daughter of Charles W. and Julia ( Whitehouse) Shannon, both natives of Portsmouth. Her father was a sparmaker, and was a policeman for some years. He and his wife had the following offspring: Flora, wife of Gilman Randall; Gasper Shannon; Virginia V. (Brackett) ; Guy S. Shannon; and Lydia, wife of Charles Hum- phries. Herman A. and Virginia Brackett had the following children: Ches- ter A., who married Martha Paige, by whom he has two children, Helen V. and Herman C .; Guy H .; Violet M., wife of Charles S. Prescott; and Charles E. Brackett. The family attends the Congregational Church.

M. A. McCOY, a member of the firm of McCoy & Horton, proprietors of the Scenic Theatre at Derry, N. H., was born in Westboro, Mass. He was reared and educated in his native town, and began industrial life as an em- ploye in a shoe factory, being thus occupied for four or five years. He then followed the trade of painter and paper-hanger for awhile, after which he went to work for F. J. Howard in repairing and setting up moving picture machines. About six years ago, with his present partner, he bought out the business and, removing to their present location, constructed what is now known as the Scenic Theatre. It has a seating capacity of 520 people, and is kept in steady operation, all the leading and favorite pictures being shown as they come out. The theatre is a popular place of amusement and instruction and the enterprise is flourishing and in a prosperous condition. Mr. McCoy belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He was married in 1909 to Miss Annie Nedeau, of Lewiston, Me., and he and his wife are the parents of two sons, John and Francis. The family belong to the Catholic church.

BENJAMIN STACKHOUSE, a well known and respected resident of Derry, to which town he came fifteen years ago, was born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, October 19, 1856, and was there reared and educated. He came to the United States twenty-five years ago, locating at first in Salem, this county, and was engineer for the Boston Artificial Leather Company, with whom he remained ten years. Then coming to Derry, he found employment as engineer for the Derry Electric Light Company, holding that position for eleven years, since which time he has been engaged partly in home work and as an employe of the Derry Shoe Company. He is a member of the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers. He has always taken an interest in politics, but has never sought office. This year, however, he is one of the democratic candi- dates for representative from Derry to the state legislature.

Mr. Stackhouse was first married in 1879, in Chelsea, Mass., to Miss Maggie A. Williams of St. John, New Brunswick. She died seventeen years

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ago, having been the mother of several children, of whom there are three now living, namely : Grace May and Blanch Kyle (twins), residing in Derry, and Ruth Evylin, who is the wife of Arthur E. Weed of Lynn, Mass. Mr. Stack- house married for his second wife Miss Mary Bradbury of Methuen, Mass., of which union there are no children.

FREDERICK W. REYNOLDS,* owner and operator of a good farm in East Derry, Rockingham County, N. H., was born in 1856, a son of Stephen and Sarah (Sergeant) Reynolds. The father, born on the old Reynolds homestead in 1820, was a carpenter and farmer, and in politics a republican. His wife Sarah was a native of Candia, N. H. They were the parents of five children, only two of whom are now living, Frederick W., the subject of this sketch, and Walter. Tracing the Reynolds ancestry farther back, we find that the grandfather of our subject, on the paternal side, was also named Stephen. He was born in Derry in 1768 and was a farmer and carpenter. He died in 1848. His father was Daniel Reynolds, a Revolutionary soldier, with the rank of colonel, who served under General Stark at the Battle of Bennington. Thus we see that for at least four generations the Reynolds family has been located in this section, and its members generally have been patriotic, industrious and law-abiding citizens, useful and respected in their day and generation.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 134

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