History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 28

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 28
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 28

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Frank Jones.

109

PORTSMOUTH.

never be effaced. Wiggins, after due inquiry, find- ing the boy to be farmer Jones' son Frank, of Bar- rington, sent the cavalcade on its road to Portsmouth rejoicing. Arriving at the city the first customer who cast eyes upon the four-tier wagon of charcoal was Sam Coburn, who kept the Rockingham House. He inquired as to quality and price, and finally bought the load at twelve and a half cents per bushel, sub- ject to survey. Young Frank assisted at the survey, and also the storing of the load, and afterwards par- took of a hearty meal at the Rockingham. On the site of Wiggins', where he first rested, stands his country residence, the pride of the county, known as " Gravelly Ridge," and where he took his first meal in the city is the house he has done so much to make a credit to that city.

Such was Frank Jones' first visit to the city of Portsmouth. It may be well imagined that the nar- row limits of the farm amid the hills and woods of Strafford would not long retain such a venturous and self-reliant spirit as was evinced by the boy. Ilis elder brother was engaged in business in Portsmouth, having a considerable store on Market Street for stoves and hardware of every description. At the age of seventeen years, in spite of every inducement offered to him by his father to stay on the farm, Frank insisted on coming to Portsmouth to assist his brother. Those who recollect the methods adopted in New Hampshire during the first part of the present cen- tury by tradesmen to cultivate trade will admit that it was not the easy task it is to-day. Farmers would visit the cities very seldom; the roads offered no inducements for them to travel for pleasure. In- habitants were sparsely scattered, farms were few and far between, and if business was to be done the goods had to be presented at the very doors, as it often took more than two or even three to make a bargain. The stoves, hardware, and tinware went around in cara- vans itinerantly, and it required a rare combination of daring, pluck, and acumen to make a success of such peripatetic stores. Young Jones was eminently

Mr. Jones always took the greatest interest in the affairs of his native State and his adopted city. In the year 1868 he was chosen mayor of Portsmouth, and was again re-elected the following year. Ilis admin- successful, for in four years he had amassed sufficient : istration was marked by many progressive im- capital to purchase a share in his brother's business, so at the age of twenty years we find him one of the merchant traders of Portsmouth. Shortly afterwards he purchased the entire business, which he continued alone, adding thereto, in 1857, the partnership in the Swindels brewery. In 1861 he sold out the hard- ware business to a younger brother and an employe in the establishment, devoting himself entirely to the brewing and malting business. At this time he lived in a two-story frame house near the brewery, content to devote his utmost energies to that he foresaw would ultimately become a great business, and his sagacity in this particular has been amply verified. provements consistent with proper economy and due consideration for the burdens imposed on the tax- payers. The salary of his office he refused to appro- priate, devoting it like a good citizen to public pur- poses. His salary for the first year he gave to the city to hold in trust, the interest to be devoted an- nually to the purchase of books for the library of the High School. The second year's salary he placed in the hands of trustees on the condition that five thousand dollars more could be raised in five years, he would then add another thousand dollars for the purpose of establishing a public library to be pre- sented to the city. He was also for two years the candidate of his party for State elector, and though failing of an election very nearly overcame the de- cided Republican majority in the district.

The brewing business, of which the immense es- lishment now owned by Mr. Jones is the ontgrowth, was commenced by an Englishman named John Swindels in 1854. In 1858, Mr. Jones purchased an

interest in this pioneer brewery, and soon after be- came sole proprietor, and has continued as such to the present time. The purchase of the old Swindels brewery ushered in an important era in the life of Mr. Jones and in the history of Portsmouth. He at once threw his whole energy into the development of this business, and the result may be briefly told. The small brewery of 1858 has expanded from year to year until at the present time it is one of the largest establishments of the kind in the land, covering an area of five acres, and has a capacity of one hundred and fifty thousand barrels of ale annually. In addi- tion to the brewery proper Mr. Jones added a large malt-house in 1863, and a still larger one in 1879. This immense establishment is the most extensive of its kind in the United States, and is furnished with all the modern improvements known to the art. To carry on this large and rapidly-increasing business requires the services of about one hundred men, yet Mr. Jones has been from the first fully conversant with all the details of the business, including the stock purchases, sales, general management, and prac- tical oversight of the work. Thoroughness has been the rule in every department, and the superior quality of the production, constantly maintained, has estab- lished its reputation as the best in the market.

In 1875 Mr. Jones became the leading member of a company which purchased the well-known Sonth Boston brewery of Henry Souther & Co., under the firm-name of Jones, Johnson & Co., Hon. James W. Johnson, of Enfield, being a member of the firm. Subsequent changes have occurred, and this establish- ment is now known as the " Bay State Brewery," and is operated by Jones, Cook & Co., Mr. Jones remain- ing at the head. The production of this establish- ment is nearly equal, both in quantity and quality, to that of the Portsmouth brewery.

In 1875 Mr. Jones received the Democratic nom-

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

ination for member of Congress, and defeated the Republican nominee by a plurality of three hundred and thirty-six, although at the previous election the Republicans had carried the district. He was re- nominated for the next Congress in 1877, when the Republicans made a powerful and determined effort to secure his defeat, selecting as their candidate one who had won distinction in military as well as civil life, and had been three times elected to the same offiee in past years; yet so great was Mr. Jones' pop- ularity, and so well satisfied were his constituents with his services for the previous term, that his oppo- nents were unable to compass his defeat, and he was returned by a plurality of forty votes over the formi- dable candidate who had been pitted against him. At the close of his second term in Congress, al- though strongly importuned to be again a candidate, he positively refused, the demands of his business being such that he could not longer neglect them.

In 1880, against his own emphatic protest, and with a unanimity never before equaled, he was made the candidate of his party for Governor, and although the defeat of the party was known to be inevitable, after the result of the Indiana election in October had turned the political current throughout the country in favor of the Republicans, he received not only a larger vote than had ever before been cast for a Democratic candidate, but larger than had ever before been received by the candidate of any party in a State election.

In Congress Mr. Jones was a true and faithful ser- vant of the people, and was one of the most efficient committee-men in the House. Speaker Randall, in referring to Mr. Jones, says, " Ile was a faithful rep- resentative, an honor to himself and the country, bringing to the discharge of his duties a business knowledge that made him very valuable as a com- mittee member."

It will be perceived from the foregoing personal sketch that the Hon. Frank Jones, in all his success- ful business career, has never for one moment for- gotten his duties to his fellow-men, nor the claims his native State and adopted city have upon him ; he has done all in his power to promote the welfare and obtain the good will of all men, and most strenu- ously labored for the health, wealth, and prosperity of the good old city of Portsmouth and neighbor- hood. .

An elegant structure of red brick and white marble, standing on State Street, in Portsmouth, the property

of the Hon. Frank Jones, deserves some attention, being, as it is, associated with some of the most notable events and men celebrated in New Hamp- shire history.

It is on the site of the original Rockingham House, formerly the residence of the Hon. Woodbury Lang- don, judge of the Supreme Court, and brother of Governor Langdon, born in 1739. He was also noted for his commercial success and his firm patriotism. When the first great fire in Portsmouth broke out in the year 1781, this house with many public buildings and several hundreds of other houses was consumed. It was rebuilt on the same spot in 1786, and in 1830 it was purchased by a joint-stock company, and con- verted into a house of public entertainment. In 1870 it was enlarged and remodeled by Mr. Jones, and is now one of the best appointed and most regal hotels in New England.

Very many of the leading people who visit New Hampshire make this house their summer home, while in winter under its hospitable roof is gathered a goodly company of strangers, officers of the navy and their families, and persons visiting Portsmouth for business or pleasure. The house is delightfully located, and commends itself to the summer tourist. The "Wentworth," another palatial hotel, located in New Castle, is also owned by Mr. Jones. (See history of New Castle.)

Sept. 15, 1861, Mr. Jones united in marriage with Martha Sophia Leavitt, the widow of his brother, Hiram Jones, who died in July, 1859, leaving one child, Emma I., now the wife of Col. Charles A. Sinclair.

Frank Jones' life has been one of steady and active devotion to business, and his success is the natural result of his ability to examine and readily compre- hend any subject presented to him, power to decide promptly, and courage to act with vigor and persist- ency in accordance with his convictions.

Every movement looking to the welfare of his adopted city has received his earnest support. He Being of a social and genial nature, he has hosts of warm personal friends, 'and no man is held in higher esteem by the people at large, regardless of to advance the material prosperity and the general welfare of the city of Portsmouth than Hon. Frank Jones. has been president of the Dover and Portsmonth Railroad since its incorporation, the building of which was mainly due to his energy and persistency. party or condition. No man has contributed more He was a director in the Eastern Railroad, and is now a director in the Wolfboro' Railroad, of which he was one of the projeetors. He was also a director in the Portsmouth Trust and Guarantee Company.

JOHN HORACE KENT.

John Kent, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was of English origin, and went to Dur- ham, in Strafford County, from Cape Ann (probably Gloucester), and was the father of two children,- Nancy and John. He died while the latter was an infant.

John grew up, and married Temperance Lapish, daughter of Capt. Robert Lapislı, of Durham, for- merly of Great Island, now New Castle. Capt. Lapish was a ship-builder and owner, sending a

PORTSMOUTHI.

number of vessels to sea on his own responsibility. Notwithstanding the fact that he was the father of ten children, not a representative of his name is in existence. He was of Irish or Scotch extraction.

Nancy married Maj. William Cutts, of Kittery, whose son William died at Exeter in 1880.

John Kent and Temperance Lapish had five chil- dren,-Mehitable, Temperance, Nancy, John, and Kinsman,-of whom only one is living at this day, Nancy. These children were all born at Rochester, Strafford Co., N. Il. Nancy has buried two hus- bands,-the first, Nathaniel Hobbs, of North Ber- wick, Me. By him she had a son, Nathaniel, who is now judge of probate of York County, Me., with whom she makes her home at North Berwick. Her second husband was Dr. Daniel Hodsdon, of the same town. She is now eighty-four years of age and in most excellent health.

John, the grandfather of John Horace, moved from Rochester to South Berwick, Me., and thence to Somersworth, N. H. While making the passage from Portsmouth to South Berwick, in the year 1816, the packet was capsized in a squall near "Boiling Rock," and, though an expert swimmer, his heavy clothing was such a hindrance to his efforts that he was drowned, at the age of forty-five.

John Kent, his son, and brother to Nancy, and father of the present John Horace Kent, of whom we write, was born at Rochester in October, 1799. He attended the South Berwick Academy, and came to Portsmouth, and was clerk for Joseph Wiggin at the age of fifteen. IIe removed to Barnstead (then in Strafford County, but now in Belknap) in 1823, and engaged in business there in his own name. In 1827 he married Ruhamah Dearborn, of Portsmouth, the daughter of Asa and Ruhamah Choate Dearborn. Asa was horn in Kensington, Rockingham Co., in August, 1771, and was the son of Jeremiah Dear- born, who was the son of Nathaniel Dearborn, who was the son of Samuel Dearborn, who was the son of Ilenry, whose father, Godfrey Dearborn, came from England.

The father of Ruhamah Choate came from Salis- bury, Mass., and was a relative to Rufus Choate.

John Horace Kent was born iu Barnstead, Oct. 10, 1828, and was an only child. He attended the dis- trict school, Pittsfield and Strafford Academies, and the high school at Portsmouth (John True Tasker, of Barnstead, being principal of the latter). On the 23d of September, 1843, his father died, and young Kent went to New Bedford, Mass., and attended the high school in that city, boarding with Rev. Moses Howe (who married his mother's sister), formerly of Portsmouth.

In 1845 he went to New York City, where he re- mained two years in a wholesale establishment. At the expiration of this time he went to Western Penn- sylvania and engaged in the steam tannery business with his uncle, Daniel G. Dearborn. In 1849, when

the "gold fever" broke out, he disposed of his interest in the business to his partner, and wended his way to California ria the Isthmus of Panama, leaving New York on the steamer "Crescent City." Arriving at Panama, he with thousands of others were obliged to wait for transportation on the Pacific side. Intent upon doing something, he found a Boston printer named Esterbrook, whom he employed, and obtaining type at the Spanish newspaper office, established and started a paper called the Punama Star, a successful property for many years, and for aught we know to the present day. From here he took passage in the steamer "Senator," arriving at San Francisco in Oc- tober, 1849, at the age of twenty-one years.

While a resident of California,, Mr. Kent made several trips to the Atlantic States, on one of which, in December, 1852, he was married to Miss Adeline Penniman, youngest daughter of Bethuel and Sophia Penniman, of New Bedford, Mass., who returned to the " Golden State" with her husband.

Mr. Kent's maiden vote was cast in California in No- vember, 1849, when the Constitution for the new State was submitted to the people for adoption or otherwise. The Constitution prohibited slavery, and his first bal- lot was cast for the code as submitted, this action being in thorough accord with the general sentiment of the "'49ers," the immigration from the Northern, Western, and New England States predominating.

Mr. Kent was a member of the Society of California Pioneers, to which any person arriving in California prior to January, 1850, was eligible to membership. He was at one time a director of said society.

Hle was also a member of the first "Committee of Vigilance," organized in June, 1851, who executed John Jenkins, an ex-convict from Sydney, who was caught in a boat while trying to get away with a small safe he had obtained by burglary from a store on Long Wharf. He was caught about ten o'clock in the evening, June 10th, and immediately tried by the committee at its rooms. The evidence being conclu- sive, a verdict of guilty, and sentence of death pro- nounced. This was immediately announced to the multitude waiting outside, who heartily approved the finding, and at two o'clock in the morning Jenkins was hanged to a beam of the public building in Ports- mouth Square, San Francisco. They made no secret that they had violated the law and were leagued together to violate it in the future, but sincerely avowing that they were faithful servants of the cause of justice, for whose sake they assumed very severe per- sonal responsibilities. They soon found more work to do, and hung James Stuart, a professional murderer and robber, who confessed to a multitude of capital crimes, and who asked for a chew of tobacco as the noose was being placed around his neck.

Samuel Whittaker and Robert Mckenzie, two des- peradoes, were taken from jail and hanged by the committee on Sunday, Aug. 24, 1851. This was the last public act of this committee other than ordering

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

many professional criminals from the State. It never formally disbanded, though ceasing to hold meet- ings until May, 1856, at the killing of James | King, editor of the San Francisco Bulletin, by James P. Casey. Many of the old members were solicited to become leaders in a new organization, ! there being a demand for another vigilance committee. This was a swift organization, which in a few days took Casey and Charles Cora, a noted gambler, who murdered U. S. Marshal Richardson, from jail, tried, convicted, and executed them. They also executed two others, Iletherington and Brace. "Yankee" Sul- livan committed suicide in the committee's rooms while awaiting their action. Mr. Kent, being coroner at this time, was not a member of this last committee, but, in his official capacity, held the inquests on the bodies of those above named. He says the committee made no dangerous use of their power.

In politics in California Mr. Kent belonged to the " Northern faction" of the Democratic party, known as the " Mudsills," and in hostility to the "Southern faction," known as the "Chivalry." At the head of the former was Hon. David C. Broderick, and of the latter Hon. William M. Given. Broderick was elected United States senator in 1856, and took sides with Stephen A. Douglas in the matter of " popular sover- eignty," thereby making the slave party in California, who had long been his bitter opponent, stronger in' their animosity and opposition, and also incurring the ill'will of President Buchanan, who claimed that the laws of the United States carried slavery into the Territories, and that it could not be excluded after the Territory had been admitted to the Union as a State. Growing out of this, Broderick was twice chal- lenged to a duel, first by D. W. P'erley, and again by Judge David S. Terry, of the Supreme Court, and on meeting the latter met his death. The wound was mortal, and he lingered only a few days, saying on his death-bed, "They have killed me because I was opposed to the retention of slavery and a corrupt administration," referring to Buchanan's.

Mr. Kent was secretary of the Broderick wing of the Democratic City Committee of San Francisco.

We quote from the San Francisco News-Letter of Oct. 20, 1857, referring to Mr. Kent's retirement from the office of coroner: "Coroner Kent has fulfilled the duties of his office faithfully, conscientiously, and honestly, and it must be a source of consolation and sweet reflection for him in years to come to know that his fellow-citizens have said upon his retiring from office, ' Well done, thou good and faithful ser- ' vant.' "

After leaving the coroner's office, and prior to his return to the Atlantic States in 1860, Mr. Kent had been connected with the press of San Francisco, and went to British Columbia during the "Fraser River" mining excitement as special correspondent; and as the telegraph made rapid strides over the Southern Overland Mail Route, he accompanied the builders

thereof as the correspondent of several San Fran- cisco papers, interrupting the stages on the plains, and making up the news from the Atlantic papers, and sending the same to San Francisco by wire. .

Mr. Kent returned from California to the Atlantic States permanently in 1860, making the journey home in a stage ria the Overland Route, through Lower California, Arizona, Cherokee Nation, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri, thence to New York by rail, his family-wife and one son, born in San Fran- cisco-having returned by steamer rid Panama. He left his oldest child, John Horace, Jr., a son born at New Bedford, in the grave at San Francisco.

In 1862, when the Southern army was making the raid on Mcclellan, with the cry of "On to Washing- ton !" Mr. Kent was at Prince Edward's Island ; and at that time the people of the provinces espoused vigorously the Southern cause, while Kent as reso- lutely stood up for the North, and while in a heated discussion resolved to return to the States and volun- teer his services. On his arrival at Boston he en- listed in a Massachusetts regiment, and leaving his family in New Bedford, proceeded to the Department of North Carolina, and thence to the Army of the Potomac.

In the fall of 1863 he was mustered out of service, and appointed a special agent of the Provost-Marshal Department for the District of New Hampshire upon the establishment of that service of the government, remaining therein until its abolition.

After his service in the army Mr. Kent became a warm and active Republican, and after the close of the Provost-Marshal Department he was appointed to a clerkship in the navy-yard at Portsmouth. In 1867 he was elected city marshal of Portsmouth, and while serving in such capacity was appointed to a position in the "Secret Service of the Treasury De- partment," and in 1871 was again elected city marshal of Portsmouth

In the fall of 1872 he was made special officer and claim agent of the Eastern Railroad, and in 1873 was appointed a special inspector of customs for the Dis- trict of New Hampshire, under Collector Howard, and in the fall of 1874 the head of the Secret Service at Washington telegraphed Mr. Kent to meet him at Boston, and tendered him the position of chief of the New England Division (comprised of all the New England States) of that force, which was accepted, and Mr. Kent established his headquarters at Boston.

He was a member of the Portsmonth delegation in the New Hampshire Legislature in 1873 and 1874, representing his city in the House. Upon the election of Hon. P. C. Cheney as Governor of New Hamp- shire, he appointed Mr. Kent upon his personal staff with the rank of colonel, and in July, 1876, while on government business pertaining to the Secret Service at Bangor, he received a telegram that the Governor ' and Council had appointed him sheriff of Rocking- ham County for five years. The next Legislature

IM Olanagel

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PORTSMOUTH.

changed the law, and the office of sheriff was made elective, and Col. Kent, for he may now be so classed, received the first nomination for sheriff of Rocking- ham County at the hands of his party, and was elected by a handsome majority. He can proudly point to a repetition of these honors in 1880. He is also a dep- uty United States marshal under Gen. Patterson, and does a large independent business in the way of investigating fraud and crime and bringing public and private offenders to justice.

Col. Kent is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to St. Andrew's Lodge, F. and A. M., Washington Chapter, Davenport Council, and De Witt Clinton Commandery Knights Templar. He is also a member of Osgood Lodge of I. O. of O. F., Sagamon Lodge, Knights of Honor, Washington Temperance Association, of which he has twice been chosen president. The above are all local institu- tions of Portsmouth. In addition to the above he is a member of Trimount Temple of Honor of Boston, New England Reformed Men's Association, and New Hampshire State Temperance Association, and he has served as president of the two last named.

Since joining the Republican party he has been an active politician, is a member of the Republican County Committee, and one of the Executive Com- mittee of the Republican State Central Committee.

Col. Kent's first connection with the United States Secret Service brought him into prominence with the leading men of business and influence throughout the Union. His services were in constant demand in the principal cities of the country, and he soon came to have a very large circle of acquaintances throughout the United States. Possessing a social nature and having a large, open heart, he was gradually led into the habit of using intoxicating liquors to excess, and the "hotel life" that he was obliged to lead only served to increase the evil. His steps downward were rapid, and his many friends began to despair of a reform, though some of them never ceased their efforts in his behalf.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 28

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