History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 205

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714

USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 205
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 205

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sion of work in the manufactory, made necessary at that period of the civil war, to enlarge his scientific knowledge by attending lectures on analytic chemis- try at Harvard College. He studied with great thor- oughness this science during a five months' course, and at the same time directed the many repairs and changes which were being made in the print-works at Dover. With the beginning of the year 1861, Mr. Bracewell took up his residence in Dover. The re- markable enterprise and judgment of the new man- ager made themselves at once felt. For just twenty years he continued in his position. These years wit- nessed a series of brilliant successes. He showed himself to be a genius in his profession. To his origin- ating, creative mind he joins an unusual power of adapting to bis own uses suggestions coming from whatever source. By his sheer abilities, his indom- itable energy, his quickness of insight, his tireless perseverance, and his perfect command of the minute details of every branch of his work, Mr. Bracewell soon lifted the Cocheco goods to the very head of their class, and held them there to the last day of his ser- vice. The production of the print-works very nearly quadrupled during this period.

In 1864, Mr. Bracewell was married to Mary Har- : riet Hope, of Lowell, Mass., whose noble character death has made the more precious to many friends. There were born to them three daughters and one son, all of whom are living.

During Mr. Bracewell's residence in Dover he en- deared himself to all classes of people by his large- hearted liberality, his great geniality, and his keen personal interest in whatever affected the welfare of the city or the condition of every individual in it. He was an ardent supporter of his church, which he greatly loved, and every good cause in the community. He was quick to suggest, and ready to lead any move- ment which was helpful to the material and moral ad- vancement of Dover. With a view of benefiting the city, and also as a sound investment for his own ad- vantage, Mr. Bracewell built, in 1879, a substantial and attractive block, consisting of nine stores, which spans the Cochecho River. It bids long to stand, a fitting monument of his public spirit and wise fore- sight.

Though born and educated an Englishman, he became an ardent, patriotic American citizen from the very day that he touched American soil. Ilis pride and hopes for America are as intense as any native son's. His love for Dover is as tender and steadfast as though its air was the first he breathed. The church with which he first united he still regards as his home. He long served her as a most efficient superintendent of its Sunday-school, and when he was about to remove his residence from Dover, out of a great desire to see the church freed from the burden of a debt of thirteen thousand dollars, Mr. Bracewell, by his payment of a tenth of the sum, led on others duties, Mr. Bracewell took advantage of the suspen- , to such generous donations that the debt was speedily extinguished.

Mr. Bracewell may still be regarded as a New Hampshire son and a citizen of Dover. His nature will not allow him to lose elsewhere the very great interest which twenty years' sojourn here has created in him. It may well be expected that he will some time return to permanently abide among friendships whose preciousness he and his host of friends so fully appreciate.

In January, 1881, Mr. Bracewell received an offer to go into business at North Adams, Mass., and as the physicians thought his wife's health would be better there than in Dover, he decided to make the change. The directors of the Cocheco Manufacturing Com- pany, by offer of an increase of salary from ten thousand to fifteen thousand dollars a year, and other inducements, sought to retain Mr. Bracewell in their employment. Mr. Bracewell, however, removed to North Adams, purchasing a third interest in the Freeman Manufacturing Company of that place, and the same success which was acquired in Dover has followed his abilities into the great business which he represents at North Adams. The Windsor calicoes and other products of the Freeman Manufacturing

Chas I luiphy

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DOVER.

Company already stand in the market among the foremost of their class.

In 1877, Mr. Bracewell received the degree of Mas- ter of Arts from Dartmouth College, a distinction well earned and worthily bestowed. During Governor Prescott's term of office, Mr. Bracewell served as a member of his staff, with rank of colonel.

Mr. Bracewell's remarkable activity has not been shut into his business. The intensity of his nature comes out to an undiminished degree in his politics, his friendships, his public spirit, and his religious faith. His sympathies are quick and universal ; his enthusiasms are communicative and inspiring ; his affections are tender and loyal.

CHARLES M. MURPHY.

We live in days when the successes of men appar- ently born to lives of grinding toil are a pregnant sign of the times.

Such opportunities are now open to him who has a good order of ability, with high health and spirits, who has all his wits about him, and feels the circula- tion of his blood and the motion of his heart, that the lack of early advantages form no barrier to suc- cess.

A striking illustration of the truth of these state- ments is shown in the following sketch.

Charles M. Murphy, son of John and Mary M. (Meader) Murphy, was born in Alton, Belknap Co., N. 11., Nov. 3, 1835. In 1842 his parents moved to Barnstead, N. Il., and settled upon the Tasker farm, at the south of the town. IIere the child grew in stature, and filled out and braced his frame by hard manual labor.

Little record is left of these years of severe work and continuous struggle, but there is little doubt that the discipline developed an indomitable will and sturdy self-reliance, which alone enable poor men's children to grapple with the world, that under more favorable circumstances might never have shown their full capacity of force and tenacity.

cating and advancing the interests of his brothers. John E. Murphy became a prominent dentist, prac- ticing in Pittsfield, N. H., and Marblehead, Mass., and dying at the early age of thirty-five. Frank Murphy, M.D., graduate of Dartmouth College, prac- ticed his profession in Strafford and Northwood, but died in the very flush and promise of life, at the age of twenty-nine. Albert Warren Murphy, D.D.S., graduate of the Philadelphia Dental College, after one year's practice in Boston, removed, in 1872, to Paris, France, where his professional labors brought him both credit and profit. At the expiration of two years an active interest in Spanish affairs, and a de- sire to test the business advantages of the country, led him to Spain. He soon settled in Madrid, and in 1879 was appointed dentist to the royal court.

Relieved from his generous labors at home, the sub- ject of our sketch was married, at the age of twenty- two, to Sabrina T. Clark, daughter of Isaac Clark, Esq., of Barnstead, N. H., and for six mouths tried independent farming; but though fully aware what a life full of joy and beauty and inspiration is that of the country, and not destitute of a natural taste for rural pursuits, at the expiration of the time named he surrendered his acres to his father, and with less than one hundred and fifty dollars moved to Dover, and began the study of dentistry with Dr. Jefferson Smith. To this business he brought the same will- power and ability to prolong the hours of labor which marked his home-life, and in two years was pronounced competent to practice in his new calling. Dr. Smith soon died, and the recently emancipated student not only succeeded very largely to his prac- tice, but enlarged and built upon it till a reputation and an income were secured which made travel and study easy and profitable. For eighteen years this patient, hopeful man labored and experimented, add- ling each season to his knowledge and skill, losing hardly a day, except while studying for his degree at the Boston Dental School. In 1878, as the result of long and careful study of the business interests of the · country, he withdrew entirely from his profession, and embarked his all in the precarious occupation of a broker. Here his coolness, sagacity, and equableness

Again, it is widely believed, and nowhere more strongly than in opulent cities and busy marts, that a boy is better bred on a farm, in close contact with | of temper found their proper field, and such a measure the ground, than elsewhere. He is full as likely to , of success has followed as falls to the lot of few men be generons, brave, humane, honest, and straightfor- . ward as his city-born contemporary, while as to self- dependence, strength, and stamina, he ordinarily has a great advantage over his rival.

He attended the district school during the winter terms until of an age suitable to leave the parental care, when he enjoyed for two terms the advantages of the academy at Norwich, Vt. At school it appears that he was diligent and ambitious, and from his natural cheerfulness of temperament very active in all athletic exercises. Then began the active and practical duties of life, and, being the oldest of four boys, for some years he assisted his father in edu- | to Moscow, honor declined; a member of the Chicago

not bred from youth amid the fluctuations of the stock- market. In his new occupation he is indefatigable in procuring information, and alike keen in dis- cerning new points of view, and shrewd in contrast- ing them with those which are older and well known. Very naturally the subject of our sketch took a lively interest in political affairs upon becoming of age. A strong and devoted Republican, in his adopted city his influence in local politics has been felt for years. He was a member of the State House of Representa- tives in 1871 and 1873, and attached to the staff of Governor Straw ; appointed and confirmed as consul

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HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Convention in 1880, where he stoutly supported Blaine so long as a ray of hope remained ; president of the Dover Five-Cents Savings-Bank,-from a state of torpor and weakness it has grown under his guiding hand into activity and strength ; elected mayor of the city of Dover in 1880, and recently chosen for another term ; recipient of the honorary degree of A.B. from Lewis College in 1881. So through all his mature life Col. Murphy has been a busy man. But the en- ergetic and successful are not exempt from the sor- sows common to humanity. Three children, who if spared might put off to a distant day the weariness that inevitably comes with advancing years, died while young, and finally the partner of all his vicis- situdes bade him a final adien.

His second wife, Mrs. Eliza T. Hanson, widow of the late John T. Hanson, of this city, dispenses a gra- cious hospitality in the spacious and richly-furnished Cushing Street mansion.

In closing, we may add Col. Murphy combines qualities which are generally found apart,-a love for work amounting to dedication, and a readiness to assist the unfortunate which seems ingrained. His abode is full of cheerfulness. No one comes there who does not receive a hearty welcome; no one de- parts withont feeling as if leaving a home.

PAUL A. STACKPOLE, A.M., M.D.

He left Dover by stage, and arrived in Andover with six dollars in his pocket, barely enough to pay his initiation fee, without a dollar to advance for tuition, and the immediate future looked not particu- larly bright, as it was a rule of the institution that

payment for tuition be made in advance. Young Stackpole called on the principal, Prof. Osgood John- son, and acquainted the learned tutor plainly with his position and determination, that he had no money or friends, but he was determined to secure an education, and if by any means he might be al- lowed to enter the school he would endeavor not to bring discredit upon the institution nor prove recre- ant to the confidence imposed. His frank and manly manner won the regard of Professor Johnson, and he was admitted. He pursued his studies with indefatiga- ble zeal, and it may be stated briefly that he was ever foremost in his class and became a warm friend of Professor Johnson.

Professor Johnson died while he was a student, and was succeeded by the late Samuel Taylor, who at ¡ once formed a warm friendship for young Stackpole, which lasted through life. He took the customary course of three years, graduated, and left Andover with one hundred dollars in his pocket.

Ile then intended to enter Harvard College and take the regular course, that he might be the better prepared for the study of medicine, which profession he had selected as his life work. His friends in Dover and vicinity, however, among whom was Dr. Joseph II. Smith, persuaded him otherwise, and he com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. Smith. This was in 1840. After remaining one year he went to Boston and connected himself with the celebrated Boylston School, prominent among whose lights were Drs. Bowditch, Stedman, Perry, etc. He passed much of the time, however, in the office of Dr. Bow- also attended lectures at Harvard, and subsequently at Dartmouth, where he graduated in 1843, and the degree of A.M. was subsequently conferred upon him by this college.

Paul A. Stackpole, son of Samuel and Rosanna Stackpole, was born in Rochester, N. H., Feb. 12, 1817. | ditch, and with Dr. Stedman in hospital practice. He Early in life he evinced a determination to secure a thorough education, and although not encouraged by either friends or relatives, he persisted with that ten- acity characteristic of the man, and after a struggle with adverse circumstances which called forth all the He then settled in Dover, taking a prominent posi- tion among his medical brethren, where he has since remained in the active practice of his profession, and was early honored with the presidency of the Straf- ford District Medical Society and the New Hampshire State Medical Society. determination and courage of his buoyant nature, he found himself master of the situation, ready to face the conflicts of the world, with a liberal education, ab- solutely essential to the successful study and practice of the medical profession.

After securing the advantages afforded by the com- While Dr. Stackpole has ever enjoyed a large and lucrative practice he has also been active in political circles, and has done yeoman service in the councils of his party. He is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, and an able and fearless exponent of the princi- ples of that party. mon schools of his native town, he attended the Rochester Academy, and when only seventeen years of age we find him engaged in the landable vocation of teaching school. He subsequently attended Wolf- borough Academy, and again taught school, this time in Somersworth. During all this period the money In 1874 he was one of the founders of the State young Stackpole earned was paid, or at least the . Press, a Democratic weekly, in this city, and since greater portion of it, to his father. He had now de- termined to enter Phillips' Andover Academy, then and now a celebrated institution.

1878 has been its political editor and nominal mana- ger. He wields a trenchant pen, and adds the graces of a lively style.

In 1845, Dr. Stackpole united in marriage with Elizabeth G., only child of Charles P. Hills, of Haver- hill, Mass. She died in 1852, leaving three children, -Charlotte E., deceased, and Charles H. and Harry HI., both residents of Boston.

PuStuckpone

879

DOVER.

T. J. W. PRAY.

tioned Hon. C. A. Goddard, of Portland, Me .; Hon. W. W. Virgin, judge of the Superior Court of Maine ; D. R. Hastings, of Fryeburg, Me .; H. G. Herrick, of Lawrence, Mass .; Hon. S. J. Anderson, president of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad, and others.

In order to get his academical and collegiate cdu- cation, Dr. Pray was employed in teaching school both before and during his college career. He was a successful teacher in Lebanon, Shapleigh, Sanford, Westbrook, and Pittston, Me. Soon after his gradu- ation he was offered a select school in the neighboring village of Great Falls. He continued this school with remarkable success for two years, when he was com- pelled to abandon it ou account of ill health. This school grew in reputation, and among his pupils who have gained fame were George W. Burleigh, Esq., Hon. E. A. Rollins, of Philadelphia, and other lead- ing citizens of the Granite State.

published and written by him may be named " Re-

T. J. W. Pray, A.M., M.D., was born in Lebanon, port of two Cases of Malpractice," "Menopause," Me., and is the son of Maj. Moses and Lydia ( Wor- " Modern Stimulation," "Thermometry of Disease." cester) Pray. In his early years he labored with his Dr. Pray, in 1880, as president of the New Hamp- shire Medical Society, gave the annual address, and selected for his subject "Diphtheria." This is a monograph upon this disease. This address exhibited thorough knowledge of his subject, and is an invalu- able contribution to the medical literature of the day. In a letter to Dr. Pray, Dr. H. I. Bowditch, of Boston, Mass., says, " I desire to thank you most heartily for - your address on 'Diphtheria.' I do not know when I have read an address more admirable, and if read thoughtfully by physicians and laity it must do much good." The New York Medical Record in a review says the address is a very full and exhaustive discus- sion of the subject of diphtheria. On all the mooted parents until about seventeen years of age, when he was thrown upon his own resources, and almost un- aided through his own industry and perseverance obtained his education. The instruction given in the public schools at that day was meagre, and only a few months in a year were allowed for instruction. Not satisfied with the limited means for knowledge in his native town, he went to the academy at North Par- sonfield, Me. In a few years afterwards he entered his name at the South Berwick Academy, under the tuition of that excellent instructor, Joshna D. Berry. The school was then in a very flourishing condition, and the most of his classical education was obtained at the latter institution. In 1841 he joined the sopho- points the writer shows thorough information and more class of Bowdoin College. This was one of the excellent judgment. Dr. M. A. McCollam, of Knox- ville, Ill., author of the celebrated work on civil malpractice, adds, " I never have read so satisfactory largest classes that over entered there, and it numbered many who have occupied prominent positions in public and private life. Among this number may be men- . an address," etc.

Dr. Pray has been president of the Dover Medical Association, and also presiding officer of the Strafford District Medical Society. He has ever manifested an interest in the weal of his adopted city, In a few years after his location in Dover he found the city without a library. By his efforts and the assistance of Capt. Moses Paul, agent of the Cocheco Manu- facturing Company, he was the founder of the Dover library. He wrote the subscription-paper, circulated it, and was librarian for quite a number of years.

In educational matters he has been particularly active. He was connected with the schools as one of the committee for about twenty years, and belonged to the State board of education as commissioner of common schools for Strafford County in 1858-59. He was chosen representative to the General Court in 1858-59, and held the position of chairman of the committee on education. He was member of the city government four years, and president of the Common Council for three years during the late Rebellion, at a member of the First Congregational Society, and takes much interest in its prosperity.

Soon after Dr. Pray entered his name with J. H. Jewett, M.D., of South Berwick, Me., a physician of excellent repute, and also was under the tuition of that time a responsible and laborious position. He is Prof. E. R. Peaslee, of New York City. His first course of medical lectures was at Bowdoin College, and his second was at Harvard University, where he Dr. Pray has been a promoter of temperance, having been a member of the Sons of Temperance for twenty years, and been Grand Worthy Patriarch of the State society. He has been selected twice to give the grad- uation address before the medical class of Dartmouth College, and has held other responsible trusts. took the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the spring of 1848. He at once located in Dover, and very soon took a prominent position in his profession. He has been devotedly attached to it, and has not been idle in its various duties. Soon after he commenced prac- tice he obtained a prize for the best paper on the In November, 1851, he united in marriage with Sarah E., daughter of John H. Wheeler, Esq., and their family consisted of two children, -John Wheeler Pray, a practicing physician in Northwood, N. H., and Thomas M., an attorney of Dover. Mrs. Pray died in 1857, and in June, 1870, he married Martha A., daughter of Rev. S. S. Matthews, and they have one child, Mary E. "Medical Properties of Sulphur," and in 1857-58 he was appointed orator for the State Medical Society, and chose for his subject, "Nursing Sore Mouth." This paper called out various complimentary notices, and Dr. Isaac Hays, editor of the American Journal of Medical Sciences, truthfully remarked that it " was an able and instructive paper." Among the other papers

880

HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

ELISHA RHODES BROWN.

Nothing is more interesting in the histories of fami- lies than the very distinctive and often powerful char- acteristics which with such uniformity run through their generations. The family of Brown, which traces its New England origin to Chad Brown, of Provi- dence, R. I., seems to have received from him to an un- usual degree his own marked traits,-a sturdy intelli- gent independence, a profound religious spirit, and great business capacities, joined to equal benevolence of heart. In this line are found the four brothers,- Nicholas, Joseph, John, and Moses,-" all uncommon men, remarkable for broad views, and for the active and efficient prosecution of public aims." Through the munificent generosity of Nicholas, Brown Uni- versity was founded, and by the princely gifts of John it was from time to time richly endowed.

The subject of this sketch represents the eighth generation in this Providence branch of the Brown family. The line is as follows :

1. Chad, who was exiled from Massachusetts " for conscience' sake," in 1637, with his wife Elizabeth and son John. He was one of the original proprietors of the Providence Purchase, and pastor of the Baptist Church in Providence. He is described by Dr. Hague in his " Historical Discourse" as follows: "Conteni- porary with Roger Williams, he possessed a cooler temperament, and was happily adapted to sustain the interests of religion just where that great man failed. Not being affected by the arguments of the Seekers, he maintained his standing firmly in a church which he believed to be founded on the rock of eternal truth, even ' the Word of God, which abideth forever.'" He died about 1665, leaving five sons, of whom the eldest was

2. John. He was a member of the Town Council in 1665, and elder in the Baptist Church. He married Mary, daughter of Rev. Obadiah Holms, second pastor of the First Baptist Church, Newport, R. I. Of their five children the second was

3. James, who became pastor of the Baptist Church, Providence. He married Mary, granddaughter of William Harris, one of the first six who came to Providence in 1636. He died in 1732. He had ten children, of whom the tenth was

4. Elisha, horn May 25, 1717. He married Martha Smith, a descendant of one of the first settlers of Providence. He was a man of great ability, a mem- ber of the General Assembly, and became Deputy Governor of the colony of Rhode Island. Ile died in 1802. . Of his sons the fourth bore his own uame,- 5. Elisha, who was born June 1, 1749. He married Elizabeth Brown, of Rehoboth, and died in 1827. Among their children were twin brothers, Elisha and

6. John, boru Jan. 20, 1784. John married Eliz- abeth Daggett, of Seekonk, R. I. Their second child was

7. Colville Dana, born July 4, 1814; married, July 16, 1840, Mary Eliza, daughter of Capt. Elisha H. 1

Rhodes. During the war he was connected with the commissariat department, purchasing for the govern- ment large supplies of provisions and horses. Since the close of the war he has been superintendent of the Capitol grounds, Washington.

8. Elisha Rhodes, born in Providence, R. I., March 28, 1847. He came while a child with his father to live in Dover, N. H. Here he was educated in the public schools. While a young man he became a clerk in the store of Charles Triekey. In December, 1867, at the early age of twenty years, he was elected to the responsible position of teller in the Strafford National Bank, which, under different titles, had been in existence from about the beginning of the century, but which in 1865 had become a national bank. Its cashier at this time was Dr. Asa Tufts, who, for upwards of twenty years, had been filling this office with great acceptability, his fidelity and in- tegrity having won for him the entire confidence of the bank directors and the community at large. The bank has always taken high rank in financial circles as being strong because of its conservative and able management. On the retirement of Dr. Tufts in December, 1875, Mr. Brown was elected cashier. Its board of directors has been composed of men of dis- tinguished ability, such as Hon. Daniel M. Christie, W. S. Stevens ( now its president), John McDuffee, ZimriS. Wallingford, Dr. Jeremiah Horne, Charles Woodman, Frank Hobbs, Charles H. Sawyer, Judge Jeremiah Smith. No moneyed institution in the State outranks it in character and success. With a capital of one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars, it shows a book surplus of seventy thousand dollars, and this without reckon- ing its premium and real estate account, which amounts to about thirty-five thousand dollars, making in all over one hundred thousand dollars surplus. It has been impossible to purchase this bank's stock for some time past. The brilliant and yet most substan- tial success which has characterized the operations of the bank during the past few years is in no small

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 205

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1714

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714