USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 55
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Dr. Fairbanks' grandfather, Capt. Abner Fairbanks, lived in Forborough, Mass. He served in the War of 1812. He was son of Abner Fairbanks of Dedham, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, serving several years. These two ancestors were substantial citizens and well-to-do farmers. The ancestors intervening between these and the immigrant were John 5th, Joseph 4th, Joseph 3d, John 2d. They were all born in Dedham and resided there, good, reputable, prosperous citizens. Former Vice President Fairbanks is 8th in descent from the same immigrant ancestor, and the list of his descendants contains the names of many illustrious men.
On graduating from Dartmouth College in 1871 Dr. Fairbanks engaged in mechanical drafting at Boston, in the employ of the National Bridge and Iron Works, and after a year and a half went to work in the same capacity for the Flint & Marquette Railroad Company, at East Saginaw, Mich. After three years of this kind of work he concluded to give it up and take up the study of medicine. On returning to Dover he was appointed station agent here for the Portsmouth Railroad Company, and a year later began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John R. Ham, remaining with him one year. He then entered Harvard Medical School, from which he was graduated M. D. in
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the class of 1877. After a brief stay in Fall River, Mass., where he began the practice of his profession, he came, on March 18, 1878, to Dover and opened an office here, where he has since remained. For thirty-six years he has occupied the same office rooms continuously; no other physician has a like record in one office apartment.
In 1878 Dr. Fairbanks was elected county physician and held the office successfully and satisfactorily four years. He has served as city physician fifteen years; a member of the Board of Health ten years. He has been a member of the School Committee continuously since 1882, and chairman of that committee six years and at present holds the position; his long experi- ence and good judgment in school matters and progressive education make him one of the most valuable members of the board. He was secretary of the board fourteen consecutive years, and his records are models of neatness and correctness. He has been trustee of the public library three years; trustee of the Pine Hill Cemetery three years; moderator of Ward Three for sixteen annual elections. He has been water commissioner twelve years, being a member of the original board when the works were established by the city and holding the office continuously. He has served as a member of the Pension Board since 1897.
Dr. Fairbanks became a member of Strafford County Medical Society in 1878, and has been its secretary twenty years, but not continuously. He has served as president of it two years and has read several valuable papers before it.
Dr. Fairbanks was mayor of Dover three years, 1898, 1899 and 1900. In his first year many improvements were made in streets and sewers and extension of the water pipes into new territory, but the chief contest was over the question of purchasing a steam road-roller. After several trials in the councils the proposition was defeated. The chief event of Mayor Fair- banks' third year was the construction of the new engine-house on Broadway for ' > fire department, to take the place of the Lincoln hook and ladder house on First street. There was the usual amount of discussion as to location and plans, but it was finally placed on Broadway, where the Free Baptist Church stood. at a cost of $9,200. It is a model of convenience for fire purposes and is centrally located. Mayor Fairbanks very properly felt proud of his achieve- ments in this work. His three years' service make a record of prudent man- agement of city finances, so far as he could control business, and many improve- ments were made in many parts of the city.
In the later years Dr. Fairbanks was representative from Ward Three ยท
in the General Court in 1907-8 and 1909-10, serving on important committees with credit for his good judgment of bills and public measures and his ready
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and intelligent discussion in committee meetings, and he is a ready and inter- esting speaker. He was member of the Republican State Central Committee for eight years, during important campaigns. He has been chairman of the Republican City Committee ten years or more. So it is apparent that Dr. Fairbanks has been a very busy and very useful citizen during his thirty-six years of professional life in Dover. He is an orator of exceptional ability, and a ready debater when it becomes necessary to enter into a contest on any question of public policy. He is a very entertaining conversationalist, and as a public official, conservative, capable and of rigid probity.
October 21, 1884, Dr. Fairbanks was united in marriage with Miss Emma Belle Caswell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Caswell. She was a woman of marked ability, and before marriage had been a successful teacher in the public schools; a most excellent lady in every way. She died May 28. 1888. They had no children.
CHARLES W. EVANS, one of the representative men of Strafford county and chairman of the board of assessors, is in the sixth generation of his family. He owns fifty acres of land located one and one-half miles from the city of Rochester. He was born on the old farm in January, 1842, and is a son of William and Hannah (Shannon) Evans. The father spent his entire life on this farm and died at the age of seventy-nine years.
Charles W. Evans is one of a family of eleven children born to his parents and all of those who reached maturity attended the Rochester schools. He remained with his father until he was thirty years of age, after which for some years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in other sections, spending ten years in Belknap county, after which he returned to the old home town.
Mr. Evans married Miss Clara A. Young and they have two sons : William J., head bookkeeper for the S. S. Pierce Company, Boston, who married Ethie Calnan; and Fred A., with the Grimes Wholesale Produce Company, Dover, who married Mary Martin. In politics Mr. Evans is a Republican and he has been elected to many local offices, many years ago serving three terms as selectman. Since January, 1910, he has been a member of the board of assessors, of which he has been chairman for two years. Fraternally he is identified with the A. O. U. W., the Red Men and the Patrons of Husbandry. With his family Mr. Evans attends the Baptist church. The family residence is at No. 115 Charles street, Rochester.
EDWARD C. BATCHELDER, M. D., one of Dover's physicians and surgeons, was born in New Hampshire, October 17, 1878, one of the two children of Nathaniel M. and Clara (Carpenter) Batchelder. The subject
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of this sketch was graduated from the public schools of Pittsfield, and after- ward attended Dartmouth College, where he graduated in 1898, and in 1904 was graduated from the Dartmouth Medical School. He was subsequently, for two years, a surgeon in Bellevue Hospital, New York, where he had abundant opportunity for becoming acquainted with the practical part of his profession. In 1906 he located in Dover, where he has since remained, and where he has already built up a good practice, having offices in the Masonic Temple. He is identified with the Masonic Order, and in politics is a Republican.
November 17, 1905, Dr. Batchelder married Miss Gertrude Kaime, a daughter of Frank E. Kaime, of St. Louis, Mo., and of this union there is one child, Edna G. Dr. Batchelder and family are affiliated with the Episco- pal church, their residence being at 250 Washington street, Dover.
HARRY P. HENDERSON, one of Dover's most progressive citizens, who is identified with the insurance and real estate business, including surety bonds, having offices at 478 Central Avenue, is one of a family of two children born to his parents, John H. and Maria Henderson. The father, now deceased, was formerly extensively engaged in the manufacturing business in this county.
The subject of this sketch was born in Dover, N. H., October 30, 1872. Graduating from the public schools in 1891, he then engaged in the manufac- ture of brick and was thus occupied until 1897, when he entered into his present business, in which he has been very successful. He is a member of the Masonic order and has been eminent commander of St. Paul Commandery, K. T., since 1910. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Aside from his regular business above mentioned, he is a director in the Merchants' National Bank and a trustee of the Merchants' Savings Bank. In politics he is a Republican. In 1895 Mr. Henderson married Miss Alberta Parker, a daughter of Dr. Henry R. Parker, of Dover, and he and his wife are the parents of two children-Maud O. and Ella P.
JOHN D. O'DOHERTY, one of Dover's prominent physicians and sur- geons, was born in Ireland, August 15, 1867, a son of William and Jane (Agnew) O'Doherty. His father was also a native of Ireland, where he fol- lowed the vocation of a farmer.
The subject of this sketch acquired his elementary education in the public schools of his native town. He then for some time attended the University of Dublin, Ireland. After coming to America he became a student at Harvard College, and later, in 1888, was graduated from the Georgetown University, with the degree of A. M. For a short time subsequently he resided in Boston,
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whence he came to Dover. After remaining here awhile, however, he returned to Boston, residing there three years. Returning again to Dover in 1890, he has since remained a resident of this city. He belongs to the local medical society, the Strafford County Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He was city physician of Dover for two years, and is now serv- ing as county physician. As a physician and surgeon he ranks among the foremost in this county. Fraternally he belongs to the Elks and the Eagles, and politically he is a Republican, but has never found time to take part in public affairs. He has a convenient office at No. 5 Locust street.
FRANK E. HUSSEY, a representative and useful citizen of Rochester, who is serving in the office of city clerk, is a native of California, born at Vallejo, May 9, 1870, a son of Daniel and Mary (Evans) Hussey. Daniel Hussey, a blacksmith by trade, was born in New Hampshire and moved to California prior to the birth of his son. In 1882 he returned to his native state and died at Rochester at the age of seventy-nine years.
Frank E. Hussey was twelve years old when his parents returned to New Hampshire from California, where he had attended the public schools. His first employment was in the office of a manufacturing company at Rochester, where he remained three years, after which for seventeen years he was with the C. F. Trask Manufacturing Company. His election to the office of city clerk, in January, 1913, showed public recognition of his general reliability and high standing as a citizen. In politics he is a Republican and at times he has served as a member of the school board. Mr. Hussey was married in 1897 to Miss Emma Wentworth, and they have two children, Charles D. and Frank W. Mr. Hussey and family attend the Baptist church. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the A. O. U. W.
JOHN L. SWEENEY, M. D., is a native son, having been born in Dover, February 28, 1880. He is one of the family of seven children born to Patrick and Margaret (Mahoney) Sweeney. The father, Patrick Sweeney, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country and engaged in mercantile business in Dover, N. H.
John L. Sweeney was educated in the parochial schools of Dover, graduat- ing in 1893. He continued his education in St. Anselm's College at Manches- ter, N. H., where he was graduated in 1899. and subsequently studied medicine and surgery in the McGill University of Canada, and the Queen's University, of Ontario, taking his medical degree at the latter institution in 1908. In the following year he located in Dover, where he has since remained, having already built up an excellent practice. He is a member of the Dover Medical
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Society, the Strafford County Medical Society, the New Hampshire State Med- ical Society and the American Medical Association, and thus keeps in close touch with the progress of his profession both in medicine and surgery. The Doctor is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and in politics is a Democrat. His office is located in the Bracewell Block, at 430 Central Avenue.
F. W. CLANCY, who is manager of the box department of the New England Cotton Yarn Company, at Rochester, with plant situated on Allen street, has held his present position since 1911, coming here from New Bedford, Mass. He was born at Santa Fe, New Mexico, December II, 1886, and is a son of H. S. and Susan ( Harrison) Clancy. H. S. Clancy was born in Phila- delphia, Pa. For many years he has been a member of the Santa Fe bar and is now assistant attorney general of New Mexico, his brother being attorney general of the state. He married Susan Harrison and they have five children.
F. W. Clancy attended school at Farmington, N. H., and later took a busi- ness course in the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, Boston. Before coming to Rochester he was in business as a broker, first at Fall River and afterward at New Bedford, Mass. The New England Cotton Yarn Company in its box department turns out wooden boxes and shooks and employment is given eighty men, it being an important industry here. Mr. Clancy married Miss Eda F. Barker, of Farmington, and they have one son, Frank B. In politics Mr. Clancy is a Republican.
ORRIN E. NASON, who is a member of one of the old families of Dover, has long been a representative citizen, deeply concerned in all measures that promise to be advantageous to his native section of the country. He was born at Dover, N. H., September 13, 1849, and is a son of Elisha and Julia A. (Jenness) Nason.
Elisha Nason was born at Eliot, Me., a son of James Nason, who was of Scotch ancestry. When a young man, Elisha Nason came to Dover and here followed his trade of carpenter and joiner more or less during his whole life. He owned a tract of land and made his home on it, having it under cultivation. He died in 1870, a man well thought of by his fellow citizens. Of his children there are three survivors: Elizabeth H., who is the wife of Rev. George H. Wallace, of Lawrence, Mass .; Orrin E., of Dover; and Clinton L., who is a resident of Nashua, N. H.
Orrin E. Nason attended the district schools in boyhood and afterward learned the shoemaking trade, which he followed at Dover for a number of years before turning his attention to his present industries, general farming, gardening and poultry raising. He owns seventeen acres of excellent land and
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Mr. Nason has found it profitable to devote a part of it to his fine poultry, his favorite breed being the Rhode Island Red. Mr. Nason has been very active in public affairs, although always independent in his political affiliations. For a number of years he served as road surveyor of his district and since the fall of 1905 has served continuously as selectman from the Fourth Ward.
On March 2, 1873, Mr. Nason was married to Miss Abbie F. Downes, who was born at Dorchester, Mass., September 25, 1849, a daughter of James M. Downes. As in many other old New England families, Indian treachery caused the death of one of the founders of the Downes family, Gershom Downes fall- ing a victim with a number of his neighbors many years ago. Mrs. Nason was a child when her father moved to Strafford county, where she has lived ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Nason have two children : Marcia N., who is the widow of Perley Sanders, of Durham, N. H,; and E. Leroy, who is a resident of West Lynn, Mass.
CHARLES WESLEY TASKER, D. D. S., one of the first and most prominent dentists in Dover, having handsomely furnished offices in the Union Block, 123 Washington street, was born in Rochester, Strafford County, N. H., September 17, 1845, a son of Thomas J. and Comfort ( Bickford) Tasker. The father, who was a native of Madbury, this county, worked at the carpenter's trade in various places during the earlier years of his manhood. Afterward he turned his attention to agriculture, purchasing a farm in Rochester, where he resided until his death, December 4, 1886, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, Comfort, who was a native of Rochester, survived him but two weeks, passing away December 19, 1886, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. They were the parents of seven sons, namely: George H., John C., Charles W .. Enoch O., Thomas J., Jr., Eli B. and James F. George H., Thomas J., Jr., and James F. are now deceased. George H., who was the eldest son, served in the Civil War with the Forty-first Massachusetts Infantry under General Banks, and died of fever at Baton Rouge, La.
Charles Wesley Tasker lived on the home farm during his boyhood, attend- ing successively the district schools of Rochester and Franklin Academy in Dover. When about twenty years old he began business life as a clerk in a boot and shoe store in this city, continuing thus employed for three years. Having saved some money, he then began studying with Dr. Murphy, a well known dentist, and a year later he completed his dental education in Boston. Thereupon, returning to Dover, he opened an office here in April, 1869. He has since continued in the practice of his profession, building up an extensive and finely paying patronage, and acquiring among his regular customers some of the leading families of Dover and vicinity. In politics he is a Republican,
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but has never sought official honors, the duties of his profession requiring his entire time and attention.
On October 9, 1869, Dr. Tasker was married to Miss Maria B. Newcomb, a native of Haverill, Mass., and a daughter of Captain Jesse S. Newcomb, who was a sea captain for many years. Of the three children born to Dr. and Mrs. Tasker, two successively named Grace, are deceased. The elder died in infancy and the second daughter at the age of six years and six months. Both parents are members of the First Congregational church.
HON. J. FRANK SEAVEY, president of the Dover Co-operative Bank, and head of the J. Frank Seavey Lumber Company, manufacturers and deal- ers in pine, hemlock and hard wood lumber, is one of the best known citizens and leading business men of Strafford County, of which he is a native son. His parents were Samuel F. and Eliza K. (Ham) Seavey, and his paternal grandfather, Samuel Seavey, was a Rochester farmer, who served in the War of 1812-15. The maternal grandfather of our subject was also a soldier in that war.
Samuel F. Seavey, father of J. Frank, was born in Rochester, this county, and spent his active years in farming. He was quite successful and at his death, which took place when he was seventy-two years of age, he left a considerable property. A stanch Democrat politically, he took an active part in local affairs. He was a man of firm religious principles and he and his wife were active and valued members of the Free Baptist church. The latter -in maidenhood, Eliza K. Ham-was, like himself, a lifelong resident of Rochester, N. H. They had a family of seven children, namely: James Frank, subject of this sketch; Mary J., Elizabeth A., Albert F., Joseph W., Charles, who died in infancy, and Charles H.
J. Frank Seavey was born in Rochester, N. H., August 14, 1838. He spent his early years on the home farm and began his education in the public schools, subsequently attending the private school of Miss Caroline Knight, of Rochester, and later the Franklin Academy, of Dover. Leaving home at the age of nineteen years, he began his business career in Dover as clerk in a drygoods and grocery store, in which occupation he continued for eight years, learning every detail of the business. He was for some years subse- quently engaged in the clothing business, in partnership with his brother, Albert F., now deceased. Afterwards he became associated successively with various business enterprises, either as projector or director, and, as already stated, is now head of the well known lumber firm-the J. Frank Seavey Lumber Co. In these various positions he has shown large business capacity, evincing accurate foresight of probable conditions, comprehensive knowledge
J. FRANK SEAVEY
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of detail, and firm executive ability-qualities that spell success. Always a man of his word, he has the confidence both of his patrons and of his business associates.
Thus richly endowed, it is but natural that Mr. Seavey should have been called on at various times to take part in public life. In 1867, when he was twenty-nine years old, he was elected a member of the common council of Dover, in which he served with credit for two years. For two years also he was selectman of his ward, and for the same length of time ward clerk. From 1869 to 1872 he served as county treasurer. In 1878 and for three years thereafter he was a member of the Legislature, and in 1881 was chosen a member of the State Senate, in 1883, receiving the unusual honor of a re-election. He was for two years-1903 and 1904-a member of Gov. Na- hum J. Backelder's council.
He is a Knight Templar Mason; belongs also to the Knights of Pythias, of which order he was grand chancellor in 1876, and in 1878 and 1879 supreme representative; and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, hav- ing passed all the chairs of Wechohamet Lodge of Dover, and being also a member of the Encampment.
James Frank Seavey was married, April 20, 1863, to Sarah F., daughter of Daniel K. and Hannah (Ham) Webster, of Dover, N. H. Of this mar- riage there have been two children, namely: Grace W., the wife of Montgom- ery Rollins, and Walter H., who married Mabel Foster. Mrs. Sarah F. Seavey died in 1900. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Seavey is a regular attendant, and to the support of which he is a generous contributor. He takes a great interest in anything pertaining to the good of his home town and county.
J. HERBERT WILLEY, postmaster at Milton, N. H., and proprietor of a drug store, was born at Salmon Falls, N. H., May 27, 1875, and is a son of James P. and Frances P. (Davis) Willey, and a grandson of A. C. Willey, of English and Scotch ancestry, on the paternal side, and of John B. Davis on the maternal side. James P. Willey was born at Wakefield, N. H.
J. Herbert Willey was reared at Salmon Falls, where he attended school and also at the South Berwick Academy. He was graduated from the Massa- chusetts College of Pharmacy at Boston, after which he came to Milton to go into business. He bought the drug store of Henry Hayes, renewed his stock and made the improvements which have converted this into one of the most modern drug stores in the state. In politics he is a loyal Democrat and on August 13, 1913, he was appointed postmaster to succeed Joseph H. Avery. Milton is a thriving village and is constantly growing so that there is consider-
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able business done here and its volume is reflected in the postoffice. Mr. Willey has H. D. Coles as his assistant. Mr. Willey is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Knight Templar. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church and is a member of Christ church at Salmon Falls, N. H.
CHARLES H. BRADLEY, who for some years has been successfully engaged in the real estate business in Dover, N. H., was born in Danville, N. H., March 3, 1863, a son of Jolin C. and Mary (Emerson) Bradley, the father being a well known merchant. After graduating from the New Hamp- shire Literary Institute in 1884, the subject of this sketch began his business experience in his father's store, where he remained from 1884 until October, 1893. He then came to Dover and organized what was the C. E. Brewster Company, now the C. E. Brewster Drug Company, which he carried on until about 1898. He then went to Boston, where he was engaged for some years in the brokerage business. Returning to Dover in 1909, he here entered into the real estate and fire insurance business, in which he has been since engaged. He is affiliated with the Dover Grange, and was one of the organizers of the Grange in his home town of Danville. He also belongs to the Masonic order, having membership in the Blue lodge at Kingston, N. H. ( No. 84, F. & A. M.). the Chapter, and St. Paul Commandery, Dover. He is a member also of the Bellamy Club of Dover.
Mr. Bradley married Miss Mary Spaulding, of Northampton, Mass., the wedding taking place in September, 1893. One child was the result of this union-Josephine May, who is now attending high school. Mrs. Bradley died March 28, 1897. She was an estimable lady, a consistent member of the Con- gregational church of Northampton, Mass., and a good wife, mother and neighbor. Mr. Bradley is a progressive, up-to-date citizen, who takes a lively interest in the welfare of his adopted city, and whose aid and influence can always be enlisted in behalf of good government, or any practical movement for the moral or material betterment of the community.
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