History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 99

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 99
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 99

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John W. F. Ilobbs received the educational advan- tages of the common schools of North Hampton, sup- plemented by a few weeks' attendance at an academy at Andover, Mass., where by his industry and economy he not only paid his expenses but laid up ten dol- lars. This accomplishment in the few weeks is typi- eal of the successful after business life of the man, and was the early expression of the prudence and thrift so characteristic of the better class of New England people. In 1837, being just past his ma- jority, our young man went to Boston and engaged as coachman for Col. Benjamin Piekman, of Salem, Mass., and remained three years in his employ. He first received sixteen dollars per month, which was afterwards advanced to twenty. He began life poor, and he early learned to appreciate the valne of money and the necessity of economy in expenditure; conse- quently he kept his expenses during these years within the limits of from twenty-five to thirty dollars each year. A mention in this connection of his first earn- ings and their proceeds may not be inappropriate. His first lahor bringing financial return was doing little errands while yet very young for five cents. These sums were carefully saved until they amounted to three dollars and eighty-five cents. This was counted occasionally, and on going to Boston he had accumulated ten dollars in these little savings. This sum he deposited in the Provident Institution in 1844 at the birth of his oldest child, and this with some · small additions has increased to the almost incredible sum of more than five hundred dollars:

About 1840, Mr. Hobbs entered into partnership with J. S. Leavitt in a provision-store. This copart- nership continued two years, and was very successful. Then for three years Mr. Hobbs continued merchan- dising alone, closing in 1845 his mercantile career, at the age of thirty, with a capital of about sixteen hundred dollars, which he invested in the omnibus business, and was the first man to run an omnibus on Washington Street from Dock Square to Canton Street. He first conceived the idea of entering this business while on a visit to New York City as a dele- gate to a Whig celebration ; and noticing the omni- buses plying up and down Broadway, he was led to inquire why they might not prove equally beneficial and remunerative in Boston. Accordingly he pur- chased two " 'busses," with horses and other necessary equipments, and drove one himself, and was the first man to carry passengers for five cents fare in Boston.

When they closed their connection with the busi- ness they had twenty-five omnibuses and one hun- dred and sixty horses, which, with their ronte and good will, they sold for one hundred thousand dollars. While in this business Mr. Hobbs invested in real estate, which increased largely in value, and after the sale he confined himself to real estate operations. From 1837 to 1866 he resided in Boston, passing the summers of the last four or five years, however, at his present home, the old home farm of his ancestors and the place of his birth. This came into his pos- session about 1850, since which time he has erected the beautiful buildings and made the numerous and elaborate improvements on what is now the finest place in his immediate vicinity. (A correct view of the same appears on another page of this work.) Since 1866 Mr. Hobbs has made this place his per- manent home. His farm consists of more than one hundred acres, which is in a high state of cultivation. In all the affairs of life Mr. llobbs has found unusual success, owns to-day the largest interest in his native town, and is accounted its wealthiest citizen.

He married (1) Elizabeth J., daughter of Deacon Francis Drake. She died Sept. 14, 1856, aged thirty- eight. They had four children, all of whom save one are dead. (2) Mary F., widow of James Night- ingale, and daughter of James Folsom, of Exeter. She died Oct. 14, 1865, aged forty-two. They had two children,-John F. and Lizzie M.,-both dead. (3) Olive A., widow of Thomas Hobbs, and daughter of Samuel J. Drake, of North Hampton. She was born Jan. 12, 1828. Mr. Hobbs' life has been one of unusual prosperity and joy, mingled with deep afflic- tion and sorrow. He has been exceedingly felicitous in the choice of his wives, with each of whom he has lived most happily. He manifested in their selection the same discretion and forethought that characterized him generally. They were all singularly adapted to the position they were called to fill and to the vari- ous duties pertaining to their station, and Mr. Hobbs attributes no small share of his success in life to their excellent qualities and cordial co-operation.

In politics Mr. Hobbs has been affiliated with the Republican party from its organization until recently, but supported and voted for Gen. Hancock in 1880. He has never been an office-seeker, preferring always the quiet of home to official place and honors. While a resident of Boston he was assessor, and held various

419

NORTH HAMPTON.

other local offices, and since his residence here has been county commissioner three years. He was also justice of the peace several years. For years a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, Mr. Hobbs has taken a deep interest in all things tending to advance the moral, educational, or business interests of his town, and has done his share and more in advancing all benevolent enterprise. In 1876 he (aided slightly by the districts in removing the old houses and draw- ing materials for the new ) erected the beautiful school- house and town hall, at an expense to him of more than eleven thousand dollars. He has also at his own expense entirely remodeled and beautified the Con- gregational Church, and has purchased a very valu- able hearse, which he has given to the town. Mr. Hobbs combines the qualities of the good Anglo- Saxon stock transplanted iu New England soil, has quick perception, keen discrimination, robust consti- tution, good judgment, steady perseverance, and in- domitable will, coupled with simplicity and fru- gality,-a union which will always achieve financial success when combined, as in him, with honesty of purpose and fair dealing.

JOHN F. HOBBS.

John F. Hobbs, son of J. W. F. Hobbs, was born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 4, 1859. He was educated at Boston, Phillips' Exeter Academy, Hampton Acad- emy, Newburyport, Mass., and one year at Amherst Agricultural College. As a scholar he was deep and thorough rather than superficial. He married, Nov. 12, 1879, Annie D., daughter of John F. French and Lemira Leavitt, with whom he lived happily a year and a half. He was a young man of rare promise, possessing qualities both of head and heart that (fully developed) would have fitted him for almost any station in life. It was his nature to be frank, kind-hearted, and generous. He combined industry with frugality, and "ate not the bread of idleness." Though modest and unassuming, he never lost his balance or self-possession. He was resolute and per- severing, yet cautious and considerate. He was emi- nently honest, truthful, and conscientious, and pos- sessed great integrity and uprightness of character and life. There was no hypocrisy or deceit in him, and he was never afraid under any circumstances to express his honest convictions. He was endowed with a mind of no ordinary vigor and compass, a retentive mem- ory, and took much pleasure in investigating and com- prehending every question with which he came in con- tact. Though born in affluent circumstances, he was never proud or arrogant; heing traiued to care for him- self, he never deemed any useful employment beneath his dignity or his care. He was fond of gunning, fishing, and other manly sports, but was never fickle, aimless, or inclined at all to indolence. He was a natural mechanic, and provided himself with tools, which he used with much skill and profit during his leisure

hours, and wrought numerous articles ornamental as well as useful. He loved to see good farm-stock and keep them in fine order ; took great delight in highly- cultivated fields and raising luxuriant crops; be- lieved in good implements of husbandry, and never allowed them to be neglected. He knew the value of a good garden, and took pride in its arrangement, that he might have everything in its season. He was thoroughly posted in all his father's varied interests, and kept his books. Whether on the farm or in his business affairs elsewhere, he watched with jealous care its minutest details and rarely made mistakes. In his father's absence it was his habit to lead and guide, and not to follow, and he never required of another what he would not perform himself. What- ever his hands found to do he did it with his might, and what he did was done thoroughly. Though but twenty-two years of age, he was old in experience, mature in judgment, and progressive in all his plans and endeavors. His position was almost precisely the reverse of his father's at the same age, who was obliged to acquire by his own unaided efforts all he possessed. The son had abundant resources and ample means to gratify his youthful ambition and desires, but he never squandered them, and though often sur- rounded with temptations too alluring for the weak, he imbibed no bad or vicious habit.

He was emphatically a young man of substance rather than show. He had a benevolent disposition and sympathizing heart, and was ever ready to care for the unfortunate and assist the needy. He loved his home, and was ever active in providing for its wants and adding to its attractions and comforts. He loved the town of his abode, and took a deep interest in its material, social, intellectual, and moral advancement. He was surrounded with a large circle of friends and associates, in whose society he took much delight, and for whose welfare he was untiring in his efforts. He was the mainstay and support and hope of his father, the one on whom he was solely to depend, to whom he was to commit his varied inter- ests and transmit his large estate. He was the pride and solace of his young wife and ever-faithful mother- in-law, whose hearts, hopes, and lives secmed wholly bound in his. Mr. Hobbs was a member of the Con- gregational Church, and lived a most upright and ex- emplary life. Such were the qualities and character- isties of our young Christian friend, and such his aims and aspirations, when a mysterious Providence dashed to the ground these brilliant hopes and severed these tender ties, and shrouded his family and friends and the whole community in gloom.

His death occurred by accident, Aug. 27, 1881, an account of which is here appended, together with ac- companying resolutions :

On Saturday morning, as a western-bound passen- ger train on the New York Central Railroad was ap- proaching Amsterdam, N. Y., something projecting from a passing freight train entered a window of one

420

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

of the Wagner cars, striking Mr. John F. Hobbs, of North Hampton, N. H., upon the left arm. The bones were shattered, but no other person was injured, although several of the cars were raked by the pro- jecting object. Mr. Hobbs and his wife were members of the New England excursion party which left Bos- ton last Wednesday for Saratoga and Niagara Falls. He was conveyed on the train to Amsterdam, and sent to the Commercial Hotel, where every possible aid was rendered. It was found necessary to ampu- tate the arm, but this did not prove effectual in saving his life. He died about half-past four o'clock Satur- day afternoon. He was widely known in his native town and its vicinity, and was very greatly respected. Resolutions of deep sympathy with the widow and other relatives were adopted by the members of the excursion party at Niagara Falls.

THE LATE JOHN F. HOBBS.

The members of the Raymond Excursion Party were called together in the parlors of the Interna- tional Hotel, at Niagara Falls, Sunday, August 28th, Mr. John S. Rand, of Portsmouth, presiding, at which time a committee was appointed, who pre- sented the following resolutions, which were unani- mousły adopted :

" Whereas, Mr. John F. Hobbe, of North Hampton, N. H., one of our number, met with an accident on the way, which, to our surprise and grief, proved fatal,

" Resolved, That we extend our tender and heartfelt sympathy to the companion 80 sadly bereaved, and to the parents and friends who heve been suddenly plunged from light and joy into the deepest shadow of woe, and we fervently pray that divine comfort and strength may be given them from Him whose waye are past finding out, end whose wis- doni and love are infinite.

" Resolved, That in this sad calamity, which has chedowed our enjoy- ment, we feel that no blame whatever can be attached to any connected with the management of the excursion, under the careful and gentle- manly charge of Mr. I. A. Whitcomb.

" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the personal friends of the deceased and to the Portsmonth press and The Boston Journal.

"CLIFTON FLETCHER, Melrose, Mass., LEWIS E. SMITH, Portsmontb, N. H., MRS. E. A. WHIPPLE, Lowell, Mass., " Committee."

JAMES BATCHELDER.

James Batchelder, son of John and Molly (Cotton) Batchelder, was born in North Hampton, N. H., May 17, 1795. His first American ancestor was Rev. Ste- phen Batchelder, a Congregational minister, who came from England at an early colonial period, and settled in Old Hampton, becoming a progenitor of a large and intelligent line of descendants. The great-grand- father of the subject of our sketch was John Batch- elder, who removed from Hampton to North Hamp- ton when his son James was six years of age. He was a farmer, as have been his descendants, and a man well esteemed. John Batchelder, father of James, was born Oct. 6, 1757, married, Nov. 30, 1780, Molly Cotton, born April 16, 1762. Their children were Abigail D., Sarah B., Mary, Sally (who at the

age of ninety years yet retains her faculties), Char- lotte, James, Patty, Jeremiah, Asenath, Thomas, and John. He was a substantial farmer, one of the lead- ing men of his town, was a Revolutionary soldier, and was present at the execution of Maj. André. He married a second wife, his first dying in middle lite, by whom he had one child. He died Ang. 6, 1835, aged seventy-eight.

James Batchelder received a common-school edu- cation, became a farmer, remaining with his father as long as he lived, taking charge of his business, and, with his brother Jeremiah, succeeding to the old home- stead. His has been a busy life, and one important branch of his business for a number of years has been the taking of summer boarders, who sought the pure and peaceful quietude of North Hampton so near the fine ocean beaches as a summer luxury. In political matters he was a Democrat of the old school, following the teachings of Jefferson, Jackson, etc. When the Republican party was formed, his views on liberty and union.placed him in accord with its plat- form, and he has been an unqualified supporter of its men and measures. He has been placed in various official positions in town, has been selectman, and three times served as representative from his town in the State Legislature, serving while there on several important committees. He married (1) Sally, daughter of John Batchelder, May 23, 1815. They had two children, John and Sarah Jane. (2) Elizabeth, about 1822. She was sister of Mr. Batchelder's first wife. They had eight children,-Almira (who married Sheridan Jenness, of Rye), James (deceased), Am- brose, Emily (married J. S. Bancroft, of Massachu- setts), Mary A., Ann Maria (Mrs. George A. Hill), Warren C., and Albert, all born where Mr. Batchel- der now resides.

Mr. Batchelder is, after many years of active life, now living at the age almost of " fourscore and ten," with clear memory, sound judgment, and can look back along the many years of life and see its record unspotted, and himself honored and respected, and also ean know with glad satisfaction that his children are among the leading citizens of their respective places of abode.

CAPT. SIMON BROWN.

Capt. Simon Brown, Jr., son of Capt. David and grandson of Jacob Brown, was born in North lamp- ton, N. H., Feb. 5, 1809. His grandfather, Jacob Brown, was born in Hampton in 1740, married llan- nah Lamprey, daughter of Morris Lamprey, and to them were born the following children, viz .: Eliza- beth, Jacob, Abigail, David, Nancy, and Sally, all born in what was then called Hampton, now North Hampton, and all married and had families except the last two. Jacob was a farmer. He was a Demo- crat in politics, and held the various offices of his town. In religion he was a member of the Congre-

James Batchelor

Innon Brown Jr

Nie

421

NORTH HAMPTON.

gational Church. He died in 1819, in the eightieth year of his age. His wife died in March, 1825, aged seventy-eight.

Capt. David Brown, son of Jacob, was born in November, 1777; was twice married, first to Ruth, daughter of Reuben Lamprey, and had eleven chil- dren, viz .: Reuben (deceased), Reuben L., Simon, Nancy, David, Jacob L., Adna, Albert D., and Sarah, who died young, and two others, who died in infancy. Capt. Brown was a carpenter by trade, and during a portion of his life was a contractor and builder of large vessels, some of which would carry seventy-five tons burden. In 1819 he made two fishing voyages. He also owned a farm, on which his family was reared, and where he spent the larger portion of his time.

Politically, he was a Democrat. His fellow-towns- men often called upon him to fill the more important offices, which he did well. He was selectman a number of times, and representative to the General Assembly two years, besides having filled various minor positions.

He was chosen captain in the State militia, and for many years held that position. He was a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He died Aug. 23, 1854, and his wife died April 23, 1852. IIis second wife was a - Marden, from Rye. She died about 1857 or 1858.

Capt. Simon Brown received a common-school edu- cation. He remained at home, working on his father's farm, till Nov. 20, 1836, when he married Harriet A., daughter of Moses and Sarah Leavitt, of Ilampton. She was born Oct. 24, 1815.

Of this union the following children were born : (1) Edwin L., (2) Freeman A., who married Meribab A. Lane, widow of Jonathan Dow, of Hampton, and has two children.

(3) Otis S., married Emma F., daughter of Joseph Johnson, and has one daughter.

(4) Ella M. (Mrs. John P. Hoyt, of Hampton) ; and, fifth and sixth, two children who died in infancy.

a devoted wife. Her memory is cherished by the ! family, and her example for good is indelibly stamped upon the characters of her children.

Capt. Brown has filled the various positions in the regular order of the State militia from private to captain, and is known as Capt. Brown. He is not a member of any church, but an attendant and sup- porter of the Christian Church at North Hampton.

JOIIN F. FRENCHI.

John F. French, son of Rev. Jonathan and Re- becca French, was born in North Hampton, Feb. 10, 1818, and was the seventh of eleven children, all of whom lived to a mature age. When two years old he fell into a ditch, and came very near drowning. His father's salary was but four hundred dollars a year, with a parsonage and twenty cords of wood an- nually, consequently with a large family and un- bounded hospitality they were obliged to economize closely in everything. The boys and girls, too, were early trained to habits of industry and frugality, but at the same time to generosity and benevolence. John neglected no opportunity, even when a very small boy, to earn little sums of money for benevo- lent and charitable purposes. As soon as he was old enough to work the soil his father allotted him a rod or two of land, which he planted with potatoes, the proceeds of which, by previous agreement, were to be given away to some benevolent object. Aside from this, as he grew older he earned small sums in vari- ous ways for his own use or investment, sometimes by selling candy on towu-meeting days, sometimes by picking small stones, and also by dropping and picking potatoes at twelve and a half cents per day, or in one instance by the bushel, at one cent for every ten bushels picked. He picked for this price in one day eighty-five bushels, and received for it just eight and one-half cents. Half-cents were then coined and in common use, and John was paid to a fraction as stip- ulated, and only regretted that the men did not dig one hundred bushels, as he could easily bave picked them and earned (to him) the large sum of ten cents. He with his older brother, James, worked out for a neighbor one very hot 4th of July, hoeing corn, while other boys (his mates) were celebrating. By mutual consent, at their parents' solicitation, they gave their days' earnings (two shillings each ) towards a Protestant Church in a foreign country. John em- braced every opportunity to work out by the day when not needed at home.

. The money thus earned was always his own, and as often as it amounted to one or two dollars was de- posited by his father in the savings-bank at Ports- mouth. In this way, at about fifteen years of age, he had accumulated about twenty dollars. John's advantages for education were necessarily limited to common school and academy, and only qualified him for teaching a common district school. While attend- ing the academy he worked enough out of school

In politics, Capt. Brown is a Democrat of the old school,-a believer in the principles advocated by Jefferson and Jackson. He has been selectman of his town, and member of the Legislature in 1860 and 1861. He has always been identified with the educational interests of his town, and often a mem- ber of the school committee. His life's work has been that of a farmer, though in his younger days he was more or less interested in the fishing business. His wife died in 1881. She was an amiable lady, very fond of the domestic circle, a kind mother and | hours to pay his board and tuition, and in one in- stance brought back. quite a little sum, more than he expended. He taught school seven winters, six of them in his own town, at the same time taking charge of a stock of cattle and doing other chores about home. During the summer season he worked wholly on the farm. In this way, during the five years before marriage, he had earned one thousand . · dollars. He was at this time paying attentions to

422

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

the only daughter and only child of a highly re- spected farmer in town. Her father died suddenly at about fifty years of age, leaving a widow and this daughter upon the farm, rendering it expedient that Mr. French should go there and take charge of it. He was married Nov. 8, 1843, at the age of twenty- five, to Lemira Leavitt, daughter of Simon and Dolly Leavitt. Lemira was born March 31, 1823, and was twenty years old at marriage. They have four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters, all living. The eldest daughter, Nellie L., married Newell W. Healey, of Hampton Falls. John L. is unmarried, and resides in East Boston. Oliver S. married Clara B. Drake, of North Hampton. They have one child. Annie D. married John F. Hobbs, of North Hamp- ton, a sketch of whose life and sad and sudden death accompanies his portrait in this volume. Mr. French has lived in a large family always, yet no one ever died where he lived till he was past sixty years of age, and she, his wife's mother, at the advanced age of ninety-four years and three months, who at her death remembered distinctly seeing George Washing- ton as he passed through her native town (Hampton) when she was four years of age. Mr. French has been unusually felicitous in his family relations through life, and attributes whatever of success or happiness he has enjoyed in a large degree to his wife, who for nearly forty years has been the main- spring of his domestic bliss, the guardian angel of his life. In all the important interests and vicissi- tudes of life he has never failed to consult her wishes and seek her counsel, and has ever found her true and trustworthy as the needle to the pole, and he wishes above all else to record his high appreciation of her excellent qualities and rare virtues.

Mr. French always venerated and honored his parents, and considered them models in their do- mestie, ministerial, and Christian qualities, and does not remember ever to have spoken disrespectfully to them, or neglected to do aught in his power to pro- mote their comfort or welfare.

under his supervision. He employs eight teams in North Hampton and vicinity for the collection of milk, and two in Boston for its delivery. One of his sons takes charge of the milk-car at East Boston, and the other runs a creamery, where surplus milk is manufactured into butter or cheese by the use of steam-power, with which is also connected a whole- sale milk route.

Mr. French has been industrious, temperate, and frugal in his habits, making it a rule to earn money before spending it, and always pays all bills promptly. He is a great lover of home and home comforts, and believes in making it the dearest and most attractive spot on earth. He always advocated and entered with zeal into all public improvements. He believes in good churches and an able ministry, in good school- honses and good schools and good roads, and is always ready by word and work to help forward every enter- prise that promotes the material, social, intellectual, Ile has and moral interests of his native town.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 99

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