History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 90

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

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John Scammon, our direct subject, began his education in the schools of Exeter, N. H., and later attended Boston University. He was admitted to the bar in 1898, having studied law with Mr. E. G. Eastman, of Exeter, with whom he has since been associated and where he has since practiced his pro- fession very successfully. A Republican in politics, he served as representative to the legislature from Exeter in 1903 and again in 1905. In 1907 Mr. Scam- mon was president of the New Hampshire State Senate, being representative of the Twenty-first District in the State Senate that term. In 1911 he was the member from Exeter of the Constitutional Convention. In 1913 he was again a member of the State Senate, and at the fall election of 1914 he was elected on the Republican ticket as a member of Governor-elect Rolland H. Spaulding's council, representing the First New Hampshire District. He is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the 32d degree, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Exeter.

Mr. Scammon was married in 1891 to Mary J. Dixey, a native of Marble- head, Mass., and daughter of Richard H. and Sarah J. (Chase) Dixey, her father being a well known provision dealer in Marblehead. Mr. and Mrs. Scammon are the parents of five children-Oscar J., John J., Mariana Hoyt, Henry G. and George Richard. The family attend the Congregational church. They are among the best known and most popular residents of the town.

WILLIAM R. WEEKS, a general farmer and stock-raiser, residing in the town of Greenland, Rockingham County, N. H., was born on his present farm, May 1, 1880, a son of George William and Sarah

John Scammon .

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L. (Robinson) Weeks. The father of our subject was also born on this farm, and after acquiring his education in the common schools and at an academy in this vicinity, took up the occupations of farmer and trader. He was one of Greenland's prominent and useful citizens, taking an active interest in local affairs and favoring everything calculated to aid in the development of the town along both moral and material lines. His death took place January 7, 1893. Both he and his wife were active in church affairs. The latter, who was born on the Littlefield farm in the town of Stratham, this county, is still living and resides with her son William.

William R. Weeks, who was the only child of his parents, was edu- cated first in the district schools of Greenland, afterward attending the grammar school at Exeter for three years. He was subsequently a pupil at the State College at Durham, N. H., which he attended for two years. Then, at the age of eighteen, he took up work on his present farm of 85 acres, where he has since remained. He also rents other land, doing general farming and making a specialty of raising thoroughbred cattle, Holstein Frisians, in which occupations he has been very success- ful. A Republican in politics, he has served the town as selectman and is now road agent. He is a master of the Grange, now serving his second term in that office.

Mr. Weeks was married March 25, 1907, to Bessie F. Carr, who was born in Pittsfield, N. H., a daughter of Isaac Newton and Sarah F. (Batchelder) Carr, the former of Pittsfield and the latter of Chichester, N. H. Her father was a farmer and stock-raiser and she was the only child of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks have two children, George Newton and William Richard. The family attend the Methodist Church, of which Mr. Weeks is treasurer.

FREDERICK EUGENE POTTER, M. D., who died in Portsmouth, N. H., November 18, 1902, for years one of Portsmouth's best known physicians, and a highly esteemed citizen, was born in Rumney, N. H., July 3, 1839, the third son and child of Frederick F. and Calista (Lucas) Potter. He grew up at Suncook, N. H., attending the public schools and remaining there until he was eighteen years of age. He then en- tered the medical school of the University of Vermont, where he grad- uated in 1859 at the age of twenty years. Immediately after his gradua- tion he went to New York and entered the King's County Hospital, where he was at the beginning of the Civil War. He was among the first to offer his services in behalf of the Union, entering the United States' navy in the medical department. He was aboard the ship "Mon- ticello" when the attack was made upon Forts Hatteras and Clark, and participated in their capture. He was soon afterward transferred to the naval forces operating on the Mississippi river, and was a par- ticipator in the famous campaign against Vicksburg. He also saw active service on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and took part in the unfortunate Red River Expedition. The arduous labors and exposure incident to these campaigns greatly impaired his health, and to relieve him from service in the field he was appointed as president of the board of examiners for admission to the naval medical corps, which was at that time stationed in Cincinnati, Ohio. His nature, however, did not permit him to avoid labor whenever anything was to be done, and it

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was found necessary to give him a year's leave of absence in order that he might regain his health. This year was passed in his native town, and having been restored to health and strength he again returned to active service and was sent into Mexican waters at the time when France was attempting to establish Maxmillian on a throne in that country. Dr. Potter served seven years on naval squadrons that visited Mexico and South American ports. He applied for an assignment nearer home and was ordered to Portsmouth navy yard, where he served four years. In 1876 he resigned his commission and began the practice of his pro- fession in Portsmouth, where he remained thus engaged for more than a quarter of a century with great success. He enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his contemporaries, both in and out of his profession. He had a commanding presence and a most pleasing personality, and his cheerful presence in the sick room was often of greater avail in effecting a cure than the remedies he administered. He was known as a man loyal to every duty and he possessed the power to discharge his duties efficiently. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the Massa- chusetts Commandery, Loyal Legion. He was a regular attendant of the Unitarian church and in politics was an ardent Democrat. In 1900, without any solicitation on his part, he was placed in nomination by his party for the high office of governor of the state. He died November 18. 1902. Dr. Potter was married October 2, 1873 to Harriet, daughter of Jeremiah H. and Mary (Thompson) Wilkins, of Pembroke.

VICTOR G. GARLAND, Pharm. D., Ph. C., proprietor of the only drug store in the village of Hampton, was born in Gloucester, Mass., March 14, 1891, a son of George L. and Claribel C. (Sanborn) Garland. The father was born in Gloucester, the mother in Hampton Falls, N. H. They now reside in Gloucester, Mass., where the father is a retired fish merchant. Their children were Victor G. and a daughter, E. Mabel.

Victor G. Garland, Pharm. D .; Ph. C., was educated in the grammar and high schools of Gloucester, graduating from the latter in the class of 1909. He then entered the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy at Bos- ton, where he was graduated in 1911 as Doctor of Pharmacy, and in 1912 as Pharmaceutical Chemist, being instructor there during the year last mentioned. In November, 1913, he came to Hampton and bought out the drug store of E. P. Sanborn, located in the I. O. O. F. building, on Lafayette street. Here he employs two clerks and is doing a good busi- ness. Before starting in for himself he had much experience clerking in drug stores in Boston and Gloucester. He is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Massachusetts Pharmaceutical Association, the New Hampshire Pharmaceutical Association, the National Association of Retail Druggists and Phi Delta Chi Fraternity. Young and ambi- tious, with a thorough knowledge of his trade, there can be little doubt that he has a bright future ahead of him.

C. CHARLES HAYES, road agent for the town of Exeter, to which office he was elected March 10, 1914, also a director of the Co-operative Bank, of Exeter, was born in this town, September 3, 1864, a son of John S. and Elizabeth H. (Grant) Hayes. On the paternal side he is a grandson of Joseph and Clarisa Hayes. The father, John S. Hayes, who was a native of Nottingham, N. H., was a carpenter by trade. Elected

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as a Republican, he served in some of the minor offices of the county. He and his wife, who was a daughter of Daniel and Mary Grant, are both now deceased, and are buried in Exeter. Their family was large, num- bering nine children, namely : Daniel, Hamilton C., Charles, George, Ida, Mary, wife of William Sawyard, Clarisa Josepha, John, who is now de- ceased, and one child, the second born, who died in infancy.

C. Charles Hayes in his youth attended the district school and after- wards the high school, from which he was graduated in the class of 1883. He then became associated with his father, working on the farm and on the highways. Later he engaged in teaming, which occupation and farm- ing have occupied his chief attention since beginning industrial life. As road agent he is doing good service for the town, being thoroughly qualified to perform the duties of the office. A far-sighed and reliable business man, his opinion is often consulted by his fellow citizens in mat- ters affecting the commercial and public interests of the town. He be- longs to the local lodge, Knights of Pythias, also to the auxiliary branch of that order; to Gilman Grange, No. 1; and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Hayes was married in the year 1900 to Matilda E. Irvine, who was born in Canada, a daughter of Henry and Jane (Thompson) Irvine, her father being a carriage maker by occupation. They had but two children, Matilda and Andrew. Mrs. Matilda Hayes died in 1912, having been the mother of four children, namely: Mabel Elizabeth, Ruth V., who died when seven years old, Charles Gilman, and Helen May. Mr. Hayes and the surviving members of his family attend the Baptist church in Exeter. Mrs. Hayes was a woman of amiable character, a good wife and mother, whose death was widely regretted.

JOHN TRUE DAVIS, one of Portsmouth's progressive men, pro- prietor of a wholesale fruit, produce and grocery establishment at Nos. 173 and 175 Market Street, was born in Bethel, Me., February 23, 1867. His parents were Richmond and Sarah M. (True) Davis, the former a farmer ; he also dealt extensively in lumber. The subject of this sketch was one of six children. He attended Gould's Academy and later in 1889 graduated from the Portland, Me., Business College. In the same year he located in Portsmouth, first finding employment as clerk with J. V. Huston in his present line of business. In 1897 he succeeded Mr. Huston, adding a grocery stock to the business, which had previously been confined to fruit and produce. He has been very successful and is now numbered among the prosperous and substantial merchants of the city.

In politics a Republican, he represented Ward 4 for two years in the City Council, beginning with the year 1907, and also served Portsmouth as acting mayor in March and April, 1907. He is fraternally a member of St. Andrews Lodge, No. 56, A. F. & A. M., being past master of the same; and is past district deputy grand master of the First Masonic District of New Hampshire. He is an honorary member of the Lodge Edinburgh Defensive Band, No. 151, of Edinburgh, Scotland, and is a Scottish Rite Mason of the 32d degree. He served three years-19II to 1914 inclusive-as president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Portsmouth.

Mr. Davis married Miss Alice M. Bassett, a daughter of James M.

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Bassett of New Market, N. H., and this union has been blessed with three children, namely, Merle Evelyn, Philip Bassett and Raymond Caldwell.

WILLIAM F. WOODS, a prominent merchant of Portsmouth, N. H., dealing in harness, bicycles and auto supplies, and who is also chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department, was born in England, October 20, 1877, a son of John and Eliza (Lowden) Woods. The father of our subject, John Woods, was an English farmer who later went into mer- cantile business in his native land. He died in 19II. William F. was one of a family of eight full brothers and sisters, besides seven half brothers and sisters. When but three years old he accompanied his parents to America, they landing at Boston, Mass., whence they came to Portsmouth. He was educated in the public schools of this city. In 1893 he began to learn the trade of harness maker, at which he worked as a journeyman for a number of years, establishing his present busi- ness in 1909. In 1912 he was appointed chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department, in which office he has since served with credit. His store is located at No. 22 Congress street, and in addition to the lines of busi- ness above mentioned, he deals also in sporting goods and does repairing of various kinds. His stock is taxed at $5,000 and he gives employment to six people. He is a member of the order of Elks and of the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is independent.

Mr. Woods married Carrie A. Ridge, a daughter of Charles A. Ridge. He and his wife are members of the Advent church. The family resi- dence is located at No. 112 New Castle Avenue, Portsmouth.

LEWIS EVERETT SMITH, formerly principal of Smith's Academy and Commercial College, Portsmouth, N. H., of which he was the founder, was born in Lincoln, Mass., January 2, 1831. He was a son of Cyrus and Tryphena ( Brooks) Smith, who were farming people of Lincoln, Mass. Their children were Maria Laurens, now deceased. who was the wife of Leon- ard Thompson, Jr., of Woburn, Mass .: Emily Frances, also deceased. who was the wife of James Loren Chapin, of Lincoln, Mass .: Lewis Everett, the subject of this review, and Martha Pierce Smith, a younger sister, now deceased.

Lewis Everett Smith fitted for college at Groton, Mass., where he was graduated in 1849. In 1853 he was graduated from Brown University, at Providence, R. I., and immediately after entered the educational field. be- coming a teacher. After following his vocation in the high schools of Bed- ford and Lincoln, Mass., he came to Portsmouth in 1859 as assistant in the boys' high school there, and after holding that position for four years became principal, which position he held for ten years. He then established Smith's Academy and Commercial College, which he conducted successfully for about twenty-five years, or until his retirement. He died in Portsmouth, May 30, 1904, after a long and useful career, the news of his headth causing sorrow, not only to his immediate family and numerous close friends, but to hundreds-perhaps we might almost say thousands-of his former pupils, who held him in high esteem.

Mr. Smith was married June 17, 1856, to Miss Eliza Abbott, who was born in Bedford, Mass., a daughter of Oliver R. and Mary A. (Buttrick) Abbott, who were married in Bedford, Mass., June 28, 1827. Her father,

Ena by & G. Wilhams & Bro NY

Levis E. Smith

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who was a farmer, was a native of Bedford; her mother was from Gorham. Me. Their children were Oliver Davis; Mary Alice, wife of Dr. C. T. Lang, of Woburn, Mass .; Harriet Ann; and Eliza, who became the wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had two children: Lewis Abbott, who is now deceased, and Howard Revere, who resides with his mother at No. 647 Middle Street, Portsmouth. The latter graduated from Brown University in the class of 1896. Mrs. Smith and her son are members of the Baptist church, of which her husband was deacon for many years.

LOUIS CHARLES LOISELLE, a prosperous citizen of New Market, N. H., where he is engaged extensively in the ice business, was born in St. Helena, Province of Quebec, Canada, April 17, 1879. He resided in his native place until he was 24 years of age, at which time he came to the United States, settling in New Market, N. H. Here he engaged in the bakery business for four years, disposing of his bakery in 1910. He then engaged in the ice business, in which he has since been very successful, now having a monopoly of that industry in this town, cutting all the ice used here and being the owner of a good plant. He is also engaged in the coal business.

Mr. Loiselle was married, August 22, 1910, to Chantal Rose Bris- son, a daughter of Victor and Emma (Mailhot) Brisson. He and his wife are the parents of three children, namely: Rene Louis, born June IO, 19II; Irene Marie Louise, born September 1, 1912; and Romeo Joseph, born August 7, 1913. Mr. Loiselle belongs to the Canadian Artisans' Lodge, to the Catholic Foresters, and also to the Foresters of America. He and his family belong to the Catholic Church.

FRANK P. MUCHEMORE is president of The Muchemore and Rider Company of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, dealers in hardware, paints, oils, iron and steel, also ship chandlers. Frederick J. Rider is secretary of the company, which employs an average of five men, and has quite an extensive patronage.

Mr. Muchemore was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1859, and is a son of Joseph C. and Anna N. (Stavers) Muchemore, both also natives of Portsmouth. The father was a master rigger, and is now deceased, as is his wife. They were Baptists in their religious faith. Of five children born to them but two are living: Frank P. and Edwin S., the latter being in charge of a ship yard at Bridgeport. There were two other sons, Warren J. and Joseph S.

Frank P. Muchemore attended the common schools and then began work in the only store with which he has ever been identified, that of Rider and Cotton. He continued as clerk until 1907, when he acquired the interest of Mr. Cotton in the business. He is a man of ability and is held in high esteem both as a business man and in personal association with his fellow men.

Mr. Muchemore was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Randall. who was born in Portsmouth, N. H., and is a daughter of John Randall. This union has resulted in the following issue: Harry L., who is a civil engineer by profession, being located at San Francisco, Cal .; and Arthur W., who is with his father in the store. Religiously the family attends the Congregational Church. Mr. Muchemore is a member of the War- wick Club.

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FRED A. GRAY, JR., head of the firm of F. A. Gray & Co., painters and decorators, Portsmouth, N. H., was born in Portsmouth, New Hamp- shire, July 30, 1879, one of the two children of George W. and Anna (Cox) Gray. He was educated in the public schools and at business col- lege. He then learned the trade of painter and decorator, at which he worked for some time as journeyman. In October, 1905, he established his present business in which he has been very successful. In addition to the ordinary lines of painting and decorating, he does sign painting, and deals in wall papers, room mouldings and curtains, painters' supplies, etc., carrying an ample stock of the finest lines of goods in the business. As a workman he is acknowledged to be one of the most expert in his business. Mr. Gray is the Democratic candidate for member of the New Hampshire State Legislature, the election to take place in November, 1914. He is a member of the Masonic order and Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Elks, lodge No. 97, also to the Warwick Club, the Portsmouth Athletic Club. He is a member of the Portsmouth Board of Trade and the Massa- chusetts Painters' Association.

Mr. Gray married Lillian M. Ward, a daughter of Asa Ward, of Kit- tery, Me. His children are: Marion Ida Gray and Katharine Anna Gray. Mr. Gray and family are members of the Universalist church. They reside on Sagamore Avenue.

CHARLES E. TASKER, one of New Market's foremost citizens, is engaged in the undertaking business, which he has followed with great success for many years. He has always been a leader in public movements and frequently has been called upon to serve the community in official capacity. He was born in New Market, N. H., November 29, 1833, and is a son of Jewett and Louisa (Haskell) Tasker. His father was a carpenter and builder and died in 1872.

Charles E. Tasker attended the public schools of New Market and also of Beverly, Mass. At an early age he assisted his father, who was a carpenter and builder, and continued until 1858 when he went west to the gold fields of California. He reached San Francisco in August but went on to Placerville, where for a short time he was engaged in mining. He secured employment as a pattern maker in a foundry, which he subsequently purchased and successfully operated for three years. Selling that plant to his financial advantage, he moved to Silver City, Nevada, where he started a similar business, producing castings and machinery for quartz mills. This he continued until 1864 when he again sold out and returned to New Market, N. H. with the fruits of his labor. He purchased an established undertaking business and gradually in- creased the volume of business until he became rated as the leading undertaker of Rockingham County.

Mr. Tasker has been prominently identified with activity of the Democratic party and frequently has filled offices of trust. He has been treasurer of New Market, chairman of the board of selectmen, chairman of the school board three years, and twice represented his district in the state Legislature. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and for many years has been affiliated with Rising Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., having been master of the lodge for five years. He is a member of Orphan Council, Belknap Chapter and St. Paul Commandery, all of Dover, N. H .. and has received the Scottish Rite degrees. He is also a member of Pioneer Lodge, No. I, K. P.

OTIS S. BROWN

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Mr. Tasker was first married to Miss Georgiana J. Tasker, a daugh- ter of Rev. L. B. Tasker, and they reared three children, as follows : Louise J., wife of W. T. Folsom, of Columbus, Miss .; Edward M .; and Harry B. His second marital union was with Mrs. Helen (Payne) Mathes. They reside in a comfortable home in Exeter Street. Relig- iously they are members of the Congregational Church, of which he is one of the pillars.

DANIEL McINTIRE, a well known and esteemed citizen of Ports- mouth, now living retired at 284 Richards Avenue, was born in York, Me., January 28, 1829, a son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Junkins) McIn- tire. Both his parents were natives of Maine, the father being a farmer by occupation. They were affiliated with the Methodist church. They had five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one now living. The maternal grandfather was Joseph Junkins.

Daniel McIntire was educated in the common schools, which he attended during the winter months only until seventeen years old. Dur- ing the summer he worked at farming. On reaching the age of twenty- one years he engaged in bridge building and repairing and was thus occupied for twelve years. Subsequently he was toll gatherer for the Portsmouth toll bridge between Portsmouth and Kittery, Me., for thirty- two and a half years, working from early morning until eleven at night. Afterwards he was in the grain business for seven years and since then has been dealing in real estate, though lately practically retired. He is a Republican in politics, but casts his vote according to his judgment, in local affairs.

Mr. McIntire was first married in 1856 to Elizabeth Thompson of York, Me. She died in 1863, leaving three children: Clarence ; Carrie, now deceased, who was the wife of Albert Frost ; and Martin. who is engaged in the drug business in Boston, and married Annie Joll. Mr. McIntire was married secondly in 1866 to Ellen M. Thompson, a sister of his first wife, who also was born in York, Me. They were daughters of Joseph and Mary ( McIntire) Thompson, their father being a bridge builder and farmer. There were five children in the Thompson family, of whom but two are now living. Mr. and Mrs. McIntire have a son, Daniel A., residing with his parents, who married Inez La Gro and has two children, Clarence L. and Daniel Porter. Mr. McIntire and family attend the Methodist church.

OTIS S. BROWN, a well known citizen of Little Boars Head, New Hampshire, is engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He is a man of executive ability and public spirit, and almost continuously since he reached his majority, he has served the people in some official capacity or another. He was selectman for the town of North Hampton for twenty-five years, was postmaster of Little Boars Head under President Cleveland for eight years, and in 1909 was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature.

Mr. Brown was born in North Hampton, Rockingham County, February 24, 1847, and is a son of Simon and Harriet ( Leavitt) Brown, and a grand- son of David and Ruth (Lamprey) Brown. His maternal grandfather was Amos Leavitt. Simon Brown was of North Hampton and followed farm- ing. He was a Democrat in politics. His wife Harriet Leavitt was of the town of Hampton. Their union resulted in the following offspring: Edwin ; Freeman ; Otis S .; and Ella, wife of Daniel F. Herron.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 90

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