History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 60

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

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Mr. Kimball married Miss Ida F. Ham, a daughter of the late William Ham, and they have one son, Harold H., who is his father's capable assistant. having spent five years after his school days and prior to coming into the shop.

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with the New England Telephone Company. Harold H. Kimball married Miss Eva D. Hobby and they reside with his parents at 38 Cushing street. Both Mr. Kimball and son are Republicans in politics.

COL. ANDREW H. YOUNG. Among the representative men of Straf- ford county, whose honorable activities through a busy and useful life brought distinction to himself and his community, was Col. Andrew H. Young, who was born at Barrington, N. H., June 16, 1827, and died at Dover, December 10, 1890. He was a son of Aaron Young who was once a substantial farmer in Strafford county.

Andrew H. Young was reared on the home farm and attended school at Barrington, making such rapid progress that when but twenty-three years of age he was made superintendent of the village schools. He was ever in the forefront in movements of an educational nature, although the greater portion of his life was identified with military affairs. In 1855 he served as a member of the New Hampshire legislature and prior to 1861 served as register of deeds and clerk of the Supreme Court of Strafford county. When the Civil war broke out he became quartermaster in the 7th N. H. Volunteer Infantry, later was made captain, and in 1862 was advanced to major and paymaster in the United States army, and in 1864 was advanced to lieutenant-colonel by brevet. In 1869 he was appointed by President Grant, a collector of internal revenue and continued as such until 1881. In 1885 he was appointed quartermaster in the regular army and assisted in the construction of the United States barracks at Fort Thomas, Ky. He was personally acquainted with and enjoyed the friendship of many of the leading men of his day.

In 1854 Colonel Young was married to Miss Susan E. Miles, of Madbury, Strafford county, and they had four children: Hamilton, who is deceased ; Mary Hale; Haldimand Putnam, who married Marie Voorhees, of San Fran- cisco; and Richard Batchelder, who married Estelle Miller of Cincinnati and has one daugliter, Elizabeth.

COL. DANIEL HALL, of Dover, N. H., lawyer, business man, and Grand Army veteran, whose name for many years has been prominently connected with state affairs, was born in the beautiful town of Barrington, this county, February 28, 1832. His parents were Gilman and Eliza (Tuttle) Hall and he is a descendant in the 7th generation of John Hall, who appears to have come to Dover, N. H., in the year 1649, with his brother, Ralph, from Charles- town, Mass. Of this blood was the mother of Governor John Langdon, Tobias Lear (Washington's private secretary), and others of like energy. John Hall was the first recorded deacon of the Dover First Church (the first church established in New Hampshire) ; he was also town clerk, commissioner to

COL. DANIEL HALL

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try small cases, and a farmer, but mainly surveyor of lands. His spring of fine water on Dover Neck is still known as "Hall's Spring." His son, Ralph, was of Dover, a farmer ; whose son, Ralph, also a farmer, was one of the early settlers of Barrington; whose son, Solomon, also a farmer, was of the same town. Solomon's son, Daniel, also a farmer, was father of Gilman Hall (his ninth child), who, by his wife, Eliza Tuttle, was father of nine children, Daniel being the first-born. The picturesque old house in which he was born, located near Winkley's Pond, was torn down about 1900. It was an interesting and venerable landmark, but unoccupied and in a ruinous condition.

Gilman Hall was early a trader in Dover, but for twenty-five subsequent years was farmer and trader in Barrington, his native town, on the stage road known as the Waldron's Hill road. He was representative and for many years selectman. His wife, Eliza, was a descendant of John Tuttle, who was judge of the Superior Court for many years prior to 1700, residing in Dover.

Daniel Hall spent his boyhood on the farm, attending the district school, and by and by helping in his father's store. When fourteen years old he began driving a team to Dover, with wood and lumber, which he sold, standing on Central Square. By this time, however, he had formed a strong taste for books and had resolved to acquire a good education. Accordingly, when about sixteen, having mastered all that could be taught him in the district school, he secured two terms, about six months in all, at Strafford Academy-one term under Ira F. Folsom (D. C. 1848), and one under Rev. Porter S. Burbank. In 1849 he was one term at the New Hampshire Conference Seminary, in North- field, Rev. Richard S. Rust, principal. Then, for satisfactory reasons he gave up all academies, returned home, set himself down alone to his Greek, Latin, and mathematics, and with indomitable perseverance prepared for college. He entered Dartmouth in 1850, probably the poorest fitted in his class, but he had the fitting of a determined will, unconquerable industry, a keen intellect, and the fibre of six generations of open-air ancestors, and in 1854 he graduated at the very head of his class, and was valedictorian. As the eldest of nine children he had to practice economy. He taught district school five winters in his native town, and what small advances he had from his father were repaid, to the last dollar, from his first earnings.

In the fall of 1854 young Hall was appointed a clerk in the New York custom house, which position he held for some years. He had taken an early interest in politics, being by education a Democrat. But he had always been positively anti-slavery in sentiment. He was dissatisfied with the Kansas- Nebraska bill, and alone of all the clerks in the custom house, and fearless of · the probable result to himself, he openly denounced the Lecompton Constitu- tion policy of Buchanan, and supported Douglas. In consequence he was re- moved from office in March, 1858.

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Returning to Dover, he continued the study of law-which he had com- menced in New York-in the office of the eminent lawyer, Daniel M. Christie, and on that gentleman's motion was admitted to the bar at the May term, 1860. He afterwards well repaid Mr. Christie's kindness by a eulogy upon his decease, delivered before the court and subsequently printed. It was re- garded as an eloquent and appreciative tribute to Mr. Christie's remarkable qualities of manhood and extraordinary powers as a lawyer.

Mr. Hall, upon his admission to the bar, opened an office in Dover, and commenced practice. In the spring of 1859, just before the state election, in view of the great crisis coming upon the country, at an immense meeting in Dover, he (as did also Judge Charles Doe) withdrew from the Democratic party and cast in his allegiance with the Republicans. With them, where his conscience and political principles alike placed him, has his lot been cast ever since, and it is not improbable that that one addition in later and critical years turned the scale in New Hampshire's political destinies.

It was an episode in his life that in 1859 he was appointed by the Gov- ernor and Council school commissioner for Strafford county and reappointed in 1860. His early training in the country district school, his work as master in the winters, and his hard-earned higher education qualified him eminently for the practical duties of this office.

In the autumn of 1861 Mr. Hall was appointed secretary of the United States Senate committee to investigate the surrender of the Norfolk Navy Yard. This committee consisted of John P. Hale, Andrew Johnson and James W. Grimes. Soon after he was appointed clerk of the senate committee on naval affairs at Washington, of which Mr. Hale was chairman. He served in this capacity until March, 1862; but he wished for more immediate partici- pation in the great struggle then in progress. The conflict, which had its symptoms in the Lecompton strife, had become war, and the young man who had then sacrificed office for principle was ready for a still greater sacrifice. In March, 1862, he was commissioned aide-de-camp and captain in the reg- ular army of the United States. He was assigned to duty with Gen. John C. Fremont, but before he had time to join that officer, Gen. Fremont had retired from command, and Capt. Hall was transferred to the staff of Gen. A. W. Whipple, then in command at Arlington Heights of the troops and works in front of Washington on the south side of the Potomac. In September, 1862, a few days after the battle of Antietam, Gen. Whipple joined the Army of the Potomac, and eventually marched with it to the front of Fredericksburg. On the 13th of December, 1862, he was in the battle of Fredericksburg, cross- ing the river with the Third Corps and taking part in the sanguinary assault upon the works which covered Marye's Heights.

At the battle of Chancellorsville he was in the column sent out to cut Jack-

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son's line as he moved in front of the army, and in the gallant action of the Third Division of the Third Corps, under Gen. Whipple, of whose staff he was a member, and was with that lamented officer when he fell mortally wounded. Capt. Hall was then assigned to the staff of Gen. Oliver O. Howard, commander of the Eleventh Corps, and with him went to Gettysburg. His position in that action was important. When Gen. Reynolds, commanding the First Corps, had advanced through the town and encountered the enemy, Gen. Howard, then moving up and about five miles to the rear, hearing the heavy firing, ordered Capt. Hall to ride forward as rapidly as possible, find Gen. Reynolds, ascertain the condition of affairs, and obtain his orders. Capt. Hall's fleet horse soon covered the distance, and he found Gen. Reynolds himself in an advanced and exposed position from the enemy's fire. He did his errand. Gen. Reynolds said he had met the enemy in force, and sent the order to Gen. Howard to bring up his corps with all possible dispatch. Scarcely had Capt. Hall got back through the town when he was overtaken by the intelligence that Gen. Reynolds was mortally wounded, and near the cemetery he met Gen. Howard impatiently coming up in advance of his corps. Passing Cemetery Ridge, Gen. Howard said, "That is the place to fight this battle," and directed Capt. Hall to take a battery from the leading division and place it in position on the crest of the hill. This was done, and that bat- tery, the first planted on Cemetery Hill, remained on that spot through the three days of the conflict. When Gen. Howard took his own place there, Capt. Hall was of course with him, and on the second day of the engagement was slightly wounded by a shell. These details are given simply to place on record, in this permanent form, his testimony to the justice of the claim made by the friends of Gen. Howard that he was fully entitled to the thanks voted him by Congress for selecting Cemetery Hill and holding it as the battle- ground of the great and glorious battle of Gettysburg.

In the latter part of 1863 his health suffered, and he was forced to leave the service in December of that year. But in June, 1864, he was appointed provost-marshal of the First New Hampshire District, being stationed at Portsmouth, and here he remained until the close of the war. The affairs of the office were in sonie confusion, but his methodical habits soon reduced it to order. During his term of service he enlisted or drafted and forwarded over 4,000 men to the army. This service ceased in October, 1865. "He was one of the men," said a substitute broker to the writer of this sketch, "that no man dared approach with a crooked proposition, no matter how much was in it."

Mr. Hall resumed the practice of law in Dover, but in 1866 was appointed clerk of the Supreme Court for Strafford County, and in 1868 became judge of the Police Court of the City of Dover, serving from 1868 to 1874 and 1876 to

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1877. The duties of these offices were performed with his usual sense of justice, but in 1874 the Democratic party being in power, "addressed" him out of both offices. In the meanwhile he had been judge-advocate, with the rank of inajor, in the military of New Hampshire, under Governor Smyth, and held a position on the staff of Governor Harriman, which gave him his usual title of colonel.

Col. Hall had long taken a deep interest in political affairs. To him they represented principles. In 1873 he was president of the Republican State Convention at Concord. He had been for some years a member of the Repub- lican State Committee, when, in December, 1873, his abilities as a leader and executive officer were recognized in his selection as chairman of that commit- tee. He so remained until 1877, and conducted the campaigns, state and na- tional, of 1874, 1875, and 1876. These were critical years for the Republican party. The nearly even balance of parties in New Hampshire, the vigor and intensity with which the battles are always fought, and the skill necessary in every department, demand abilities and energies of the highest order. The years mentioned surpassed ordinary years in political danger to the Repub- licans. It is sufficient to say that Col. Hall conducted the last three campaigns (previous to 1882) to a triumphant issue. So decisive were the successive victories that the tide was turned, and from that time the state swerved not from Republican allegiance until the Democratic landslide in 1912.

In 1876 Col. Hall was chairman of the New Hampshire delegation to the Republican National Convention at Cincinnati, being chosen at large, un- pledged, and with scarce a dissenting vote. Seven delegates voted from first to last for James G. Blaine, but Col. Hall, with ex-governor Straw and Hon. Charles H. Burnes, voted six times for Mr. Bristow, and on the decisive ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes.

In 1876 and 1877, Mr. Hall was, by appointment of Governor Cheney, reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire, and in that honorable position published volumes 56 and 57, New Hampshire Reports.

In 1877 he succeeded Gov. Harriman as naval officer at the port of Boston, serving till 1886. This office is co-ordinate with that of collector, upon which it is a check. Mr. Hall's business habits, his keen insight, his perfect accuracy, and the ruling principles of his life to do everything well and thoroughly, there came into operation. He quietly mastered the details as well as the general work of the department. Regularly at his post, his office became a model in its management and was commended in the highest terms by the proper officers. When, therefore, his term expired he was reappointed for another four years by President Arthur, with no serious opposition.

Col. Hall has been trustee of the Strafford Savings Bank since 1883 and

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is now its vice-president. Among other offices he has held and the duties of which he has ably performed, are: trustee and secretary of the Soldiers' Home from 1889 to date; department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, 1892-1893; trustee of the Dover Public Library, 1895 to date; trus- tee of Berwick Academy from 1895 to date, and director of the Strafford National Bank from 1897 to date. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Legion of the United States, the New Hampshire Historical Society, the Bar Association of Southern New Hampshire and the American Bar Association. He has made many public addresses on subjects political, military, literary and miscellaneous. A volume entitled "Occasional Addresses" was published by him in 1892. He was president of the Historical Society three years and officiated at the dedication of the fine building at Concord presented to the Historical Society by Hon. Edward Tuck of Paris. It is the finest building in the state, having cost half a million dollars.

Col. Hall married, January 25, 1877, Sophia, daughter of Jonathan T. and Sarah (Hanson) Dodge, of Rochester, N. H., and has one son, Arthur Wellesley Hall, born August 30, 1878, who married Inez Bunker, daughter of F. H. and Frances Bunker. They have one son, Daniel Hall, born February 12, 1909, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. The beautiful house erected and occupied by him in Dover, and adorned with cul- tivated taste, has not its least charm in the steadily increasing library of care- fully selected literature to whose study he devotes the hours not required by official duties. His early ancestors were members of the Congregational Church-where they held office two centuries and a half ago, but he is himself a liberal and free thinker. He is a radical teetotaler and deeply interested in the cause of temperance. He is fond of animals and, in particular, has a great love for the horse.

Col. Hall's gentle, courteous and unassuming manners do not meet the con- mon idea of the bold and sagacious politician. His modest conversation will suggest scholarly instincts, but requires time to show the breadth of his culture. Public addresses have, as occasion demanded, exhibited the thoughtful polit- ical student, a patriotic love of country, and the ripeness of the accomplished scholar. Fidelity to every engagement, good faith to every principle espoused, firmness in determination, and usefulness in every work undertaking have in- sured him success, and won for him the high regard and esteem of his fellow citizens throughout the State.

FRANK R. SPIERS, vice president of the Spiers-Fish Brick Company, who have a large plant at Pickering, Strafford county, N. H., of which Mr. Spiers is also local superintendent, was born at Chicopee, Mass., April 12.

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1871, a son of John and Christina (Shaw) Spiers. Both parents were natives of Scotland, but resided for many years at Chicopee, Mass., where they died.

Frank R. Spiers began his education in the public schools of Chicopee and later attended school in Worcester, Mass. Learning the machinist's trade, he worked at it for eighteen years in Worcester, and then, in 1907, engaged in the brick-making industry. After awhile he became one of the owners of the business now carried on under the style of Spiers-Fish Brick Company. In May, 1909, he was elected vice-president of the corporation, and since then has also been superintendent of the plant at Pickering. The concern manu- factures face, common, stiff mud and hollow brick, also "Harvard" brick, of which they make a specialty. They have an office at No. 79 Milk street, Boston, and their sales amount to from 30,000,000 10 35,000,000 brick per annum, though the capacity of their yard at Pickering amounts to but 10,000,- 000, the remainder being purchased from various other brick yards in New England, the company in this case acting as jobbers. About 100 men are employed at the Pickering plant, the yards covering about 120 acres. The president of the company is W. A. Spiers, who resides in Boston.

Mr. Spiers has resided in Rochester, N. H., since 1907. At the time the present company purchased the Pickering plant it was turning out about 1,500,000 brick per annum, the output having been since increased, as above shown. The business is one of the most extensive of its kind in New England, and it is one of the most important industries in Strafford county.

Mr. Spiers belongs to Homane Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & .A. M., of Roches- ter, and to Ancora Lodge, No. 142, I. O. O. F., of Worcester, Mass. He has a high reputation throughout this section as a progressive and reliable business man and a public-spirited citizen. In politics he is a Republican. He married Miss M. Penny, of Union, N. H.

JOHN C. TOWNSEND, a highly respected resident of Milton Mills, now living retired and occupying his comfortable residence on Church street, was born September 17, 1871, at East Welton, Me., and is a son of Joseph and Ruth P. (Wentworth) Townsend.

Joseph Townsend was born in England and after coming to New Hamp- shire was connected with the mill industry, being agent for twenty-five years of the Waumbeck at Milton Mills and Moosehead Woolen Mills of East Milton, Me. He died at Milton Mills at the age of sixty-four years, and his burial was in the cemetery at this place. He married Ruth P. Wentworth, who survived until January 15, 1901, dying in her seventy-third year. Of their eleven chil- dren there are three survivors: Mrs. J. M. Brooks of West Medford, Mass .; Mrs. J. R. Brown, of Oakland, Me .; and John C., the youngest of the family.

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The father and mother were members of the Free Will Baptist church at Milton Mills and for twenty years he was superintendent of the Sunday school. He belonged to the Masons and was a member of the Chapter at Farmington, Maine.

John C. Townsend passed his boyhood at East Wilton, Me., attended the academy at Wilton and then returned to Milton Mills. Following his mar- riage he settled with his uncle at Saugus, Mass., where he was connected with him in the grocery business. Fifteen years afterward he came to Milton Mills, where he has resided ever since.

On June 17, 1896, Mr. Townsend was married to Miss Grace M. Town- send, a daughter of Henry H. and Agnes (Briarley) Townsend, and it was while living at Saugus, Mass., that their son, Frank Herbert, was born. Mr. Townsend is prominent in Masonry and is an Odd Fellow. He belongs to the Blue Lodge at Saugus; Chapter and Palestine Commandery at Roches- ter; New Hampshire Consistory ; and Bektash Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He belongs also to the Eastern Star and is past noble grand of the Odd Fellows, at Milton Mills. In politics he is a Republican but has never desired public office.

REV. JAMES H. BRENNAN, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic church, at Somersworth, N. H., was born at Rochester, Strafford county, N. H., in 1869, and is a son of Philip and Catherine (Farrell) Brennan. The father followed no trade, being a general laborer, and was an industrious, self-respect- ing man. Both he and wife were born in Ireland. They reared a family of three children.

James H. Brennan attended the public and parochial schools of Dover, to which place his parents moved during his early youth, and his training and discipline for the priesthood were secured in Holy Cross College, at Worcester, Mass., and the Montreal (Canada) Seminary. He was ordained to the priest- hood in 1894 and his first charge was at Manchester and his second at Con- cord, N. H. A second time he had charge at Manchester and from there came to Holy Trinity in 1909. Father Brennan has inaugurated many improvements since he took charge of his present parish and has not only won the confidence and esteem of his own congregation but also the respect of the whole com- munity.

HON. WILLIAM F. McNALLY, a well known man in Strafford county, treasurer of Rollinsford and a prosperous merchant at Salmon Falls, was born December 2, 1874, at Salmon Falls, N. H., and is a son of Edward and Cath- erine (Murphy) McNally. Both parents are deceased.

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William F. McNally was reared and educated in his native place. After the termination of his school days he entered a local business house as a clerk and thus learned the practical details of merchandising which he turned to excellent account, in February, 1905, embarking in a mercantile business of his own. As a reputable, just and public spirited citizen, Mr. McNally long since satisfied his friends and neighbors as to his qualifications for public office and he has been many times elected to exceedingly responsible positions on the Democratic ticket. At present he is serving as chairman of the Democratic committee of Rollinsford; he served one term as selectman and one term as supervisor of the check list of Rollinsford ; for seven years has been a member and chairman of the school board; for fourteen years has been treasurer of Rollinsford, and in 1905 and 1906 represented Rollinsford in the New Hamup- shire legislature.

Mr. McNally married Miss Margaret Buzzell, and they have two children, Roland W. and Gertrude E. The family belongs to the Catholic church, Mr. McNally is identified with the I. O. R. M. and the A. O. H., both at Salmon Falls, and the Knights of Columbus and the Merchants' Protective Association at Dover.

CHARLES LUKE HOWE. New Hampshire has many wonders. Among them are the White Mountains and Lake Winnepesaukee. Among the won- ders of Strafford county are the Garrison Hill Greenhouses. The success of this large enterprise is due entirely to the energy and resourcefulness of its sole proprietor, Charles Luke Howe. There were several early immigrant ancestors by the name of Howe, but John Howe, of Warwickshire, England, son of John, was one of the earliest, if not the first of this name, in New England. The most famous of the descendants of John was Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine. But quite a number have developed remark- able mechanical ingenuity and several are distinguished for their intellectual attainments and philanthropy.

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History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 60

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