History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 59

Author: Scales, John, 1835-1928
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 988

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George N. Prescott was eight years old when his parents moved to Dover, where he had public school advantages and also spent some time as a student in Franklin Academy. He learned the trade of stone cutter, which he after- ward followed until he turned his attention to general farming. He now owns fifty acres of valuable land lying in the towns of Durham and Madbury near Little Bay. When not otherwise engaged Mr. Prescott works at the carpenter's trade, having a natural mechanical bent.

Mr. Prescott married Miss Ida B. Coleman, born at Dover, N. H., a daughter of Oliver W. and Emma (Davis) Coleman, natives of Durham but both now deceased. The Coleman family settled very early at Dover Point, N. H. In politics Mr. Prescott is a Democrat and in 1891 was elected a member of the New Hampshire legislature, representing the Fourth Ward of Dover and later was his party's unsuccessful candidate for the State Senate. His public spirit and good citizenship are universally recognized. He takes an active interest in the B. P. O. E., at Dover.

RAOUL ROUX, dealer in meats, fish and groceries, on the corner of Main and Portland streets, Dover, is one of the enterprising business men of this city. He was born in 1876 at Athabaska, Quebec, Canada, and is a son

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of Pierre and Cleopha Roux, natives of Canada and now residents, with their son, of Dover.

Raoul Roux attended school in his native place and was fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Dover. For a short time he worked in the Cocheco mills and then became a clerk for P. L. Charest, a merchant at Dover, with whom he continued until 1899, when he purchased Mr. Charest's stock and interest. Since 1899 he has been in business for himself, the location being the same all these years. He owns 150 acres of land in Dover which he devotes to general farming and dairying, and is numbered with the substantial and honorable business men of Strafford county.

Mr. Roux married Miss Flora Marcotte, who was born at Rochester, N. H., and they have the following children : Rita, Raymond A., Raoul L., Wilfred P., Valma, Anita, Mary J. and Edgar M. With his family Mr. Roux belongs to the Roman Catholic church. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, of the Association Canada-American and of the St. Jean Baptiste Society. In a general way he is a Republican in his political views but casts an independent vote when he believes himself justified in so doing.

CHARLES H. BURNHAM, one of the well established business men of Dover, located at No. 61 Stark avenue, is a wholesale dealer in confec- tionery and has a trade that covers a wide territory that makes his name in this line a familiar one all over Strafford county. He was born November 22, 1864, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Foye) Burnham, both natives of New Hampshire. Although Samuel Burnham was a resident of Dover for many years where he followed farming, he was born in Nottingham, in 1812 and died in Dover in 1884. He was son of Asa and Lois (Dame) Burnham. Asa Burnham was one of the prominent citizens of Nottingham and a wealthy farmer. He was seventh in descent from Robert Burnham who settled at Oyster River in Dover as early as 1650. He held various official positions in those early years of the history of old Dover which then included Durham which was separated from Dover in 1732. Robert Burnham's name fre- quently appears in the old town records. The Burnham family in succeeding generations in Durham were among its best and most prominent citizens.

Louis Dame, Samuel Burnham's mother, was daughter of Samuel and Olive (Tuttle) Dame. Mr. Dame was a tanner by trade, and a farmer and merchant in Nottingham, where he became a resident during the Revolution. He was born in Lee in 1746, and died in Nottingham in 1871. He was sixth in descent from Deacon John Dame, the second deacon of the First Church in Dover. He came here from England in 1633. The church was organized in 1638. Samuel Dame's mother was Anna Hunking, daughter of Capt.

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Mark Hunking of Barrington, N. H. Olive Tuttle, grandmother of Mr. Samuel Burnham, was fifth in descent from Judge John Tuttle, one of the first settlers and most prominent citizens of old Dover. Her father, Sergeant Stoten Tuttle, was a soldier in the French and Indian wars; he was with the army that captured Quebec from the French, and was one of the soldiers who climbed the steep side of fortress to the summit of the Heights of Abraham.

Eliza Foye, Charles H. Burnham's mother, is a lineal descendant, and of John Foye one of the early settlers of old Dover, who came here before 1680. The Foye family has an honorable record as farmers and business men. The late Mayor Solomon H. Foye of Dover was Mrs. Burnham's kinsman and one of Dover's honored citizens. Mrs. Burnham died in 1892 aged 67 years.

Charles H. Burnham was educated in the public schools of Dover. In 1880 he went to Boston and entered the employ of George W. Armstrong, the great newspaper agent. Mr. Armstrong set Mr. Burnham at work as newspaper distributor on the trains between Boston and Portland; he held this position four years, and then was placed in charge of Armstrong's news stand at the old Eastern Railroad depot on Causway street, being Mr. Arm- strong's most trusted and efficient assistant manager for six years and one year as manager.

In 1891 Mr. Burnham returned to Dover and engaged in the retail fruit and confectionery business on Central avenue. About 1901 he commenced the business of manufacturing confectionery at his present location on Stark avenue, and disposes of his product at wholesale in southern New Hampshire and York, County, Me.

Mr. Burnham married in 1890 Miss Ella Manock, a daughter of the late David Manock, of Dover, who was a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Burnham have four children: Mrs. Ethel M. Greenaway, of Portsmouth, N. H .; and Mildred, Ruth M. and Charles R., who reside at home. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Burnham is a staunch Republican, but has held no office, nor has he asked for any. He is a member of Mt. Pleasant Lodge of Odd Fellows and Prescott Encampment, and Canton Parker, Patriarch Militant. He is also a member of Kankamagus Tribe of Red Men. He has filled chairs in the lodge, and has passed through the chairs in the Encampment. He was also an officer on Major Samuel Abbott's staff in Canton Park. As a business man he possesses the full confidence of his fellow citizens.

CYRUS LITTLEFIELD, one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Dover, N. H., is a native of this city, having been born here January 27, 1837. His parents were James and Sarah C. ( Bean) Little-

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field, and he is a grandson of Nicholas Littlefield, a native of Wells, Me., who was a descendant of one of four brothers who settled in Wells, Me., at an early date.

James Littlefield, father of our subject, settled in Dover, N. H., when a young man and lived here all his life, dying in 1871. Of his children the following survives Cyrus, of Dover, N. H. ; Mary S., widow of Marcus Marx, late of Brooklyn, N. Y., where she resides; Fannie, widow of Dr. Carl H. Horch, late of Dover, N. H .; Sarah C., widow of Ephraim J. Deland, late of Dover, where she resides, and Emma, widow of Henry Chamberlain, late of Boston, Mass., she being now a resident of Dover. James Littlefield, the father, was a Republican in politics, having been orginally a Whig. He was in his 68th year at the time of his death.

Cyrus Littlefield was reared in Dover, N. H., acquiring his education in the public schools of this city and at Wolfboro Academy. He was for many years a prominent business man of Dover, though now retired. He is a Civil War veteran, having been a member of Company K, which became a part of a Rhode Island cavalry regiment. While serving at Warren Junction his horse fell on him and he was seriously injured, owing to which he received an honorable discharge in June, 1862, having served from December, 1861. Returning to Dover, he re-engaged in business and soon became one of the prominent citizens of the town. He served as county commissioner for two terms (four years), being chairman of the board during his last term. He also served ten years as assessor of Ward I of Dover. He was a member of the school board two years and was moderator of political meetings in Ward I on various occasions. Late in the sixties he represented Ward I in the State Legislature, serving two terms. In politics he is a Republican and is a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. Littlefield married in 1860 Harriet J. Webster, who was born in Dover, a daughter of William Webster, formerly a well known citizen of Dover, N. H. Of this marriage there have been five children, namely: Mortimer C., who resides in Virginia; Nettie, who is now deceased; Sarah C., wife of Frederick Coffin, of Dover : James, residing in Dover, and Nettie E., wife of George R. Williams, who is superintendent of the Kidder Press Company, of Dover, N. H. Mrs. Cyrus Littlefield died May 4, 1910. Mr. Littlefield is a man widely known throughout the county and as widely esteemed. He is public spirited and progressive and both his word and actions can always be relied on.

HON. FRED PLUMER, who served as a member of the New Hampshire legislature from Rollinsford in 1897, is a leading man of Strafford county

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and a substantial farmer, owning seventy-five acres of excellent land at Rollinsford Station. He was born on the farm on which he lives, April 8, 1852, and is a son of William and Permelia (Waldron) Plumer. The father was born at Rollinsford and the mother at Dover, N. H., and the paternal grandfather, Ebenezer Plumer was also a native of this state. William Plumer during life served frequently in local offices and was a man of sterling character, a liberal supporter of the Baptist church at South Ber- wick, Me.

Following his school days, during which he attended an academy at South Berwick, Fred Plumer has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and has taken much interest in public affairs. In the General Assembly he lent support to measures of a beneficial character and cast his vote fairly and honestly. He has served two years on the board of selectmen, being chairman of the same. He is a Republican in his political views.

Mr. Plumer was married first to Miss Mary A. Yeaton, and they had one son, Harold E., who lives at Buffalo, N. Y. On January 28, 1887, he was married secondly to Miss Wilhelmina Horne, who was born in Rollinsford, August 2, 1860, and is a daughter of Luther P. and Abbie (Downing) Horne, the father a native of Wakefield and the mother of Somersworth, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Plumer have two children : G. Everett, who lives in Rollinsford; and Helen W., who is studying art and science in the New Hampshire State College at Durham. Mr. Plumer and wife are members of the Baptist church at South Berwick and for a number of years she has had charge of the primary department in the Sunday school, possessing the rare gift of being able to interest and hold the attention of a body of children. Mr. Plumer is a member of the Hiram R. Roberts Grange No. 192, one of the charter members, and has served as master. He belongs also to the Odd Fellows and has served in the office of noble grand in Lodge No. 30 at Salmon Falls and additionally has held offices in Agamenticus Encampment No. 15, of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Plumer are members of the O. N. E. Club, of Rollinsford and both take part in the pleasant social life of the community.

JAMES H. JOYCE, who is engaged in business at Somersworth along the line of insurance and real estate and is a notary public and a justice of the peace, was born in Somersworth, September 4. 1860, a son of James and Elizabeth ( Parsons) Joyce.

James Joyce, the father, was born in Ireland and came to America in early manhood. During the Civil war he served as a private soldier in the Twenty-second New York Heavy Artillery until the summer of 1864, escaping all injury except a wound in the ankle. He was an industrious man and

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immediately resumed work after returning home, but three weeks later, in August, 1864, met death from a stroke of lightning. He had married Elizabeth Parsons, also a native of Ireland, who lived to extreme old age, passing away June 20, 1911, in her ninety-seventh year. Of their children, J. H. Joyce is the only survivor.

Bereft of his father in childhood, J. H. Joyce missed many of the privileges that he would otherwise have enjoyed. As soon as his age and strength per- mitted he went to work in a mill and continued in wool and cotton mills at different points until he was twenty-two years of age, when he engaged with a grocery house at Berwick, Me., and remained for two years. Mr. Joyce then embarked in a grocery business of his own, in the old Union store build- ing on Washington street, Somersworth, and for a short time also dealt in meats, but two years later disposed of his stock when elected to the office of deputy sheriff for four years. For the first time in his life he found leisure to devote himself to the study of law, for which he had an inclination, and pursued his studies in the office of Mr. Pierce. He still had one more year to serve in office when he went to Concord to take his examinations and made such a favorable impression on Judge Doe, that, on the advice of the jurist, he entered the Boston University Law school. His close application, however, had affected his eyes to such an extent that five week later he was obliged to limit his ambition and return home. After he had succeeded in bringing his eyes to a normal condition he went into his present business. He handles both farm and town property and has the reputation of selling more first class real estate than all the other dealers combined. One of his holdings is the old residence of Charles Blaisdell, who was his first employer. He represents many of the old line insurance companies and maintains his office at No. 6 Orange street.

Mr. Joyce was married first to Miss Amie Barrett, a daughter of Robert Barrett. She died nine years later, the mother of two children: Mary A., who died aged four years; and Elizabeth, who is an expert stenographer employed in Boston. He was married secondly to Miss Hannah Lawlor, daughter of Fenton Lawlor, and they have had the following children : Helen, a stenographer; Catherine, a student in a business college; Margaret, a high school student; and Alecia, James, Fenton, Lawrence and Nora, the last named dying when aged 4 years. Mr. Joyce and family belong to the Catholic church. Formerly he was a Democrat but is now a Republican. He has served as overseer of the poor of Somersworth. He belongs to the Hibernian Society and to the Sons of Veterans and has been state commander of the latter organization.

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KIRK WORSTER, who resides on and is owner of the old Worster homestead farm of 100 acres, situated in Somersworth, N. H., was born in Somersworth, July 14, 1870, and is a son of George and Augusta (Hayes) Worster.

George Worster, the father, was a son of Oliver Worster, of Berwick, Me., who was town clerk and kept a general store for many years. George Worster came to Somersworth, N. H., in early manhood and settled on the farm above mentioned and here resided until his death, which occurred in 1902. He was a Democrat in politics and was held in high regard as a citizen. He was a well educated man, having enjoyed early advantages at Brewster Academy, at Wolfboro, N. H. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity. George Worster was married (first) to Augusta Hayes, who was born at Farmington, N. H., and of their five children three survive: Kirk, Mrs. Bradley Thurston, of Berwick, Me., and Mrs. Samuel Waldron, of Farmington, N. H. His second marriage was to Eliza Hartford, and they had four children: Herbert H., Henry, Moses J., and Mrs. Arthur Jones, all of Farmington, N. H.

Kirk Worster secured his schooling at Somersworth and then learned the shoe-making trade and followed the same for several years in Massachusetts and in New York. After the death of his father he took charge of the home- stead farm and purchased it and has continued to carry on general farming here ever since. Mr. Worster married Miss Harriet Perkins, of Exeter, N. H., a daughter of the late Woodbridge O. Perkins, and they have two children : George W. and Harold O. Mr. Worster gives his political support to the Democratic party and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Berwick, Me. He is one of the respected and representative citizens of this part of Strafford county.

KINGMAN FERNALD, one of Dover's well known citizens who is now engaged in agricultural pursuits on his farm of sixty-five acres in the town of Dover, was born at Barrington, N. H., June 14, 1847, and is a son of William H. K. and Martha S. (Perkins) Fernald.

William H. K. Fernald was born at Kittery, Me., and was a son of Tobias Fernald, who was a soldier in the War of 1812-1815, in which he lost a leg and subsequently his life; his burial was in the sea. William H. K. Fernald was young when his parents removed from Kittery to Barrington, N. H., where he lived until 1859, when he came to the town of Dover and settled on the farm that his son now owns. Here his death occurred in 1884. He was a man of public importance, serving as tax collector while living at Barrington and in 1875 was elected on the Republican ticket a member of the New Hampshire legislature, representing the Third Ward of Dover. In

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1838 he married Martha S. Perkins, who was born in South Berwick, Me., in 1818 and died in 1894. Of their children the following survive : Kingman; Charles W., who is a resident of Newton, N. H .; Chapley T., a resident of Lynn, Mass. ; Curtis D., who lives at Haverhill, Mass. ; and Oscar L., of Lynn, Mass.

Kingman Fernald was fourteen years of age when his parents came to Dover and since 1888 he has been a continuous resident on his farm, which he successfully devotes to general agriculture. For two years he was a mem- ber of the Dover city police force, for seven years he was driver of Steamer No. 2 at the Orchard street station of the fire department, and for sixteen years he engaged in general teaming for Mayor J. S. Abott, of Dover.

On March 15, 1871, Mr. Fernald was married to Miss Isa B. Caswell, who was born at New Market, N. H., in 1846, a daughter of George W. and Mary A. Caswell, former residents of New Market. Mrs. Fernald died May 10, 1913, survived by one son, Percy W., of Dover. Mr. Fernald has always been affiliated with the Republican party.

REV. ONESIME J. DESROSIERS, pastor of St. Martin's Catholic church at Somersworth, N. H., was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, April 6, 1851, and is a son of Onesime and Catherine ( Brouillard ) Desrosiers. Both parents were born in Canada, and both are now deceased. Of their eleven children Father Desrosiers was the first born. He attended school in his native place and afterward taught in the college at Sorel, where he subsequently studied for the priesthood, and on August 14, 1877, was ordained. After fourteen months as an assistant in parishes in Canada, he came to Salmon Falls, N. H., December 16, 1882, where he remained in charge of the church until January 10, 1883, when he was transferred to St. Augustine, at Manchester. There he continued until September, when he was recalled to Canada to become a superintendent in a college. On August 14. 1886, he returned to St. Augustine, Manchester, as assistant priest, and in July. 1888, became the parish priest at Greenville and in 1895 was transferred to Suncook, in Merrimac county, where he remained until April, 1907, when he came to St. Martin's at Somersworth.

St. Martin's church edifice is a beautiful Gothic building, the largest church at Somersworth and the most complete in all its appointments in Strafford county. The parsonage is also a pleasing structure, of brick construction. Both were erected by Father C. Demers, who established the parish October 15, 1882. The congregation of St. Martin's includes 654 families or about 3750 people. To this large assemblage Father Desrosiers faithfully devotes himself, ever making the interests of his people his own, with Christian zeal

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directing them spiritually and with sound judgment advising them in many material things. He is a factor in everything that promises to be beneficial to the community.

SAMUEL C. FISHER, for many years one of the most substantial citi- zens of Dover, N. H., vice president of the Strafford Bank, and owner of valuable real estate in different parts of Strafford County, was born at Francestown, N. H., in 1817. He came to Dover when a young man and up to the Civil War period conducted a dry goods business in this city. He sub- sequently went to Newbern, N. C., where he engaged in farming and was interested for some years in various other industries. Later returning to Dover, he acquired financial and real estate interests here, becoming the heaviest tax payer in Strafford County and the largest owner of realty. It was a matter of justifiable pride with him that he was the builder of his own fortune, from early youth having been dependent upon his own resources. He was a man of keen business foresight with a high sense of integrity and his success was as great as it was well earned. He was a member of the Congregational church and a liberal giver to charitable enterprises. In politics he was a Republican, although never active in public affairs.

Mr. Fisher died at Dover in 1909, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends. His widow-in maiden- hood Miss Emily Bacon-still survives, and during a part of the year is a resident of Dover.

CHARLES E. BACON, who for a number of years was associated in the jewelry business with the late Mr. Nutter, at Dover, N. H., was born in Biddeford, Me., March 1I, 1833. . Succeeding Mr. Nutter at the latter's death, he continued the business alone until one year before his own decease, which took place July 10, 1902, when he was sixty-nine years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Clark, was a native of Dover. There were four children, two of whom survived-Dr. Edmund Sawyer Bacon, of Provi- dence, R. I., and Emily B. Fisher, wife of Sam'l C. Fisher, of Dover, N. H.

ERNEST R. ROBERTS, postmaster at Salmon Falls, N. H., was born at South Berwick, York County, Maine, October 30, 1883. He is a member of one of the old pioneer families of this section, being a direct descendent of Gov. Thomas Roberts, a family that settled in New Hampshire as early as 1623. He is a son of Simeon B. and Lydia (Shackford) Roberts, and a grandson and great-grandson of Aaron Roberts.

In early childhood he accompanied his parents from South Berwick, Maine.

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to Rollinsford, N. H., to the old homestead, where he has since resided, being the eighth generation to reside thereon. He was graduated from the public schools of the town, and later entered the New Hampshire State College at Durham, N. H., where he spent one year.

In 1907 he was appointed postmaster at Salmon Falls, having previously served as assistant postmaster. As a public official he is entirely satisfactory, and as a citizen he commands the respect of the community. His political affiliation has always been with the Republican party. He is a member of the Hiram R. Roberts Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of Rollinsford, N. H.

Simeon B. Roberts was born at Rollinsford (Somersworth), N. H., in 1850 and the greater part of his very active life has been spent in the same place. For many years he has been more or less active in Republican politics, served for a time as postmaster at Salmon Falls and also represented Rollins- ford in the state legislature. He has taken marked interest in agricultural development, has given active support to the order of Patrons of Husbandry and is serving as master of the local grange at the present time. In 1871 he married Lydia Shackford who was born at Eaton, N. H., in 1851, and they have seven children : Mayhew T., who is a resident of Alberta, B. C .; William E., who is a resident of Rollinsford, N. H .; Lena M., who is the wife of Herbert F. Berry, of Lawrence, Mass .; A. Milton and Herbert A., both of whom live at South Berwick, Me .; and Ernest R. and George R.

W. A. KIMBALL, one of Dover's well known business men, is estab- lished at No. 27 Locust street, where his line of work covers almost all kinds of ornamental wood manufacturing. He was born at Dover in 1858 and is a son of Alonzo E. Kimball.

W. A. Kimball attended school in Dover and afterward spent one year as a clerk in a grocery store and following this was with I. C. Connor, who con- ducted a picture and music store. His next employer was Winslow Hall, who was in the loom harness and reed business and he continued there eighteen years, and afterward for ten years had charge of the harness and reeds in the Cocheco Mills. In 1906 Mr. Kimball started his own business, which includes reproducing and restoring antique furniture, band sawing and wood working and all kinds of jobbing along this line, also fine cabinetmaking. He has mod- ern machinery, his shop being equipped with electric power circular and band saws and turning lathes and the work turned out is both beautiful and artistic. Mr. Kimball has long been identified with both the Masons and Odd Fellows.

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History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 59

Author: Scales, John, 1835-1928 Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Number of Pages: 988

Author: Scales, John, 1835-1928
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 988