USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 61
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John Howe settled first in Watertown. After several years' residence there he moved to Sudbury, Mass., where he was made freeman, May 13, 1640. Here his grandon built on his father's farm the tavern called first "Howe's Tavern," and later celebrated by Longfellow as the "Wayside Inn."
Abner Howe,4 the great-grandson of John, lived in Brookfield, Mass. Abner Howe served in the Revolution, as a muster roll dated December, 1776, shows, with rank of Corporal in Capt. Abijah Bangs Company, Col. Dikes' Regiment. After the death of his father the eldest son, Adonijah,5 born in Brookfield, Mass., in 1757, bringing his mother, settled in Jaffrey, N. H. There he practiced medicine for more than thirty years. For many years he was the
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moderator of the town meetings, town clerk and town treasurer. He repre- sented the town in the legislature for several years, and, what was a dis- tinguished honor in those days, was appointed a justice of the peace. Dr. Howe married Sarah, daughter of Noah and Lydia (Kent) Ripley, sister of Rev. Dr. Exra Ripley, of Concord, Mass. There he married the widowed mother of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Mrs. Dr. Howe died at the age of 40 years, December 13, 1800.
Their son Luke,6 born in Jaffrey, March 28, 1787, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1811, read law with Hon. Nathan Dane of Beverly, Mass. He began practice at Jaffrey. In 1814 he left this profession and studied medicine at Boston and at Dartmouth College, graduating M. D. in 1818. He settled in Jaffrey and became a distinguished physician in that place. He was presi- dent of the New Hampshire Medical Society, published essays on scientific subjects and introduced improvements in surgical instruments. He was super- intendent of public schools and many years postmaster. He married the widow of his brother, Mary Woodbury Howe, in 1819. Mary Woodbury was a daughter of Peter Woodbury and sister of the famous and successful states- man, Hon. Levi Woodbury. She was the seventh in descent from John Woodbury, who landed on Cape Ann, Mass., in 1624. Her grandfather at the age of 69 was sergeant of the company of minute men at the battle on Lexing- ton Green. She died in Westford, Mass., January 18, 1875. Their son, Adonijalı W.,7 born 1825, studied medicine and graduated M. D. at Dart- mouth, 1851; began practice at Dunstable, Mass. There he met his future wife, Martha Dunster Butterfield. He died in 1886. Martha Dunster Butter- field was seventh in descent from Henry Dunster, the first president of Harvard College.
The sixth child of Adonijah W. Howe and his wife Martha is Charles Luke Howe, the subject of this sketch. He married in 1893 Ellen A., the sec- ond child of Benjamin F. Vittum and Elizabeth J. Pierce. The Vittum gene- alogy is of considerable interest. The emigrant was William Vieuxtemp, who was driven from France by the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. He was one of those important emigrants who were known as French Huguenots, several thousand of whom settled in America. The name became Anglicized by the attempt of the natives in America to spell it in English as it was pronounced in French. When William 1 came to America he brought a son named William. This William 2 married in Hampton, N. H., Abigal Lane. Their fourth child was William.3 He married, December 17, 1747, Sarah Page. Their first child, William 4 married Elizabeth Jewell. Their seventh child was David,5 born January 29, 1790. He married Dolly Beede, of Sandwich, N. H., May 20, 1810 Their youngest child was Benjamin Franklin Vittum,6 born Sep-
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tember 5, 1827; married Elizabeth Pierce, July 25, 1851. Ellen A.,7 who mar- ried Charles L. Howe, was their second child.
There were several immigrants by the family name of Pierce and the same name was spelled in different ways. The first American ancestor of Elizabeth Pierce was John Pierce,1 who came to Watertown, Mass., from Norwich, Eng- land, in 1637. From him her line of descent is Anthony,2 Joseph,3 Benjamin.+ He was first of this family to come to Strafford county, where he married in Dover in 1705. It would be quite appropriate to call this one of the really old families of this county, since six generations have been born in the city of Dover-Benjamin,5 Andrew,6 Andrew,7 Elizabeth J.,8 the mother, Ellen A. Howe.9
Hon. Andrew Pierce 7 married Betsey Wentworth. By this marriage Betsey Wentworth was the grandmother of Mrs. Howe. Betsey Wentworth was the daughter of Thomas Wentworth and Mary Roberts; she, the daughter of Col. James Roberts, a soldier of the Revolution. The grandfather Went- worth (grandfather of Betsey), known as Col. Jonathan of the 2d New Hampshire militia, served as captain of a company in Col. Poor's New Hamp- shire regiment. After the Concord alarmı his regiment made a forced march from Dover to Chelsea. He served throughout the war, rising to the rank of major. He was fourth in descent from the famous Elder Wentworth, the immigrant of the Wentworth family in America.
Twenty-one years ago after having learned in Boston the trade of a florist and the art of floral design, as well as having had some practical experience in the business for himself in Nashua, for about three years, Charles Luke Howe came to Strafford county. Here in Dover he built on Rutland street a small greenhouse and started in a modest way as a florist. About a year after he had an opportunity to purchase what was then known as the "Johnson Greenhouse" at Garrison Hill. For several years he conducted both houses but finding such a plan divided his attention he consolidated the two houses at Garrison Hill. His expert knowledge of how to make flowers bloom under glass at the least expense and so enable him to supply them to the public at moderate prices, his executive ability by which he could find and teach men to do the work as well as he could do it himself, together with the careful personal supervision which he has always given the whole business, have all been factors in the development of his present extensive plant covering 17 acres. It includes 12 glass greenhouses, each about 125 feet long, their average width being about 30 feet. Here he raises all plants and flowers that there is a commercial demand for, having a large trade in fancy cut flowers, both wholesale and retail. These greenhouses are not only more in number but are better in construction and contain more stock than any other retail flower growing house in Maine, New Hampshire
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or Vermont. Since establishing his plant in Dover Mr. Howe has founded branch establishments at 631 Congress street, Portland, Me .; 221 Water street, Augusta, Me. ; 4 Market street, Portsmouth, N. H .; and 668 Main street, Laco- nia, N. H., all the latter being devoted to the retail trade. He has about 15 employees in his Dover plant and several in each of his other stores. Taken together the amount of cut flowers used by his branch stores require the services of about 20 men, six horses and two automobiles where the flowers are grown. As a florist Mr. Howe's reputation extends over several states. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Dover, to the Odd Fellows, the B. P. O. E., the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias, all of Dover. He belongs to the Congregational church and politically is a Republican.
JOHN Q. A. WENTWORTH, treasurer of the Rollinsford Savings Bank, and cashier of the Salmon Falls Bank, is a well known and popular citizen of Salmon Falls, N. H., where he has resided since 1872. He was born in the town of Rollinsford, February 20, 1849, a son of Samuel H. and Jane ( Walsh) Wentworth, the father being a native of Rollinsford, N. H., and the mother of Portsmouth. N. H. Samuel H. Wentworth was a son of John Wentworth, of Rollinsford, a descendant of William Wentworth, who was a descendant of one of the carly settlers of Rollinsford. John, the grandfather, was at one time a member of the New Hampshire legislature, representing the town of Somersworth. Samuel H. Wentworth also represented Somersworth in the legislature, in 1847 and 1848. He was originally a Whig and later a Republi- can. He was a farmer all his life in Rollinsford, where he died in 1870. The subject of this sketch was his only child.
John Q. A. Wentworth was reared in Rollinsford, N. H., beginning his education in the public schools and later attending South Berwick Academy at South Berwick, Me. In 1867 he graduated at Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, at Concord, N. H., after which he taught school for a short time. On the death of his father in 1870 he engaged in farming on the homestead and was thus occupied for two years. He then removed to Salmon Falls and entered the employ of the Salmon Falls Manufacturing Company as assistant paymaster, which position he held until 1891, when he was appointed paymaster with the same concern. In May, 1892, he was appointed treasurer of the Rollinsford Savings Bank, and some time thereafter was appointed cashier of the Salmon Falls Bank, both of which positions he has since continued to hold.
Mr. Wentworth is a Republican in politics and has taken a more or less active part in public affairs. For a number of years he served as tax collector of Rollinsford and in 1879 and 1880 was a selectman of that town. In 1876 he was a delegate to the New Hampshire State Constitutional Convention. He
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was representative from Rollinsford to the State legislature in 1883 and 1911. For over a quarter of a century he acted as trial justice for Rollinsford and for 25 years has been a notary public. Since 1896 he has served as town clerk and for a number of years has been a member of the school board of the same town. In addition to being cashier of the Salmon Falls Bank, he is also a director in the same institution, and is treasurer of the Episcopal Church of Salmon Falls; also a trustee of Berwick Academy. Fraternally he belongs to Granite Lodge, No. 65, A. F. & A. M., of Salmon Falls and to St. Paul Com- mandery, K. T., at Dover, N. H .; also to Salmon Falls Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F .; in the work of all these lodges he has taken an active and useful part. He occupies a prominent place among the enterprising and substantial citizens of Salmon Falls and has a wide and extended acquaintance throughout the county generally.
Mr. Wentworth was married, in June, 1872, to Lillia E. Russell, of Salmon Falls, and they have one son, Ralph, who is now paymaster of the Salmon Falls Manufacturing Company.
COL. CHARLES CARPENTER GOSS, of Dover, N. H., banker, and one or the leading financiers in southern New Hampshire, was born in Gass- ville, this state, February 9, 1871. He is one of a family of three children born to John A. and Electa A. (Carpenter) Goss. His financial ability may have come to him partly through inheritance, as both his father and maternal grand- father-after the latter of whom he was named-were bankers of renown. The father died February 4, 1903, and Chas. H. Carpenter in 1910.
The subject of this sketch after attending school in Pittsfield, went to Phillips Exeter Academy and in 1889, entered Dartmouth College, from which institution he was graduated in 1893 with the degree of B. S. He had literally grown up in the banking business, having been busy in the National and Savings banks from boyhood during vacations in his school life.
The following summer he entered the banking business with the Shawmut National Bank of Boston. After remaining there awhile he returned to Pitts- field because of his father's failing health in the bank where for many years his father was cashier and his grandfather the president, remaining there until 1900. During that time he was town treasurer and treasurer of other business companies in the town, when he came to Dover, and organized the Merchants' National Bank, with Charles H. Carpenter, president; John A. Goss, vice president, of which he became cashier and vice president, positions which he now holds. In the following year, 1901, he organized the Merchants' Savings Bank, of Dover, both banks ranking among the foremost in the state. Of the Merchants' Savings Bank he is now trustee and treasurer, and directing
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the affairs of both banks. In addition he is president of the Pittsfield National Bank, of Pittsfield, N. H., taking his grandfather's place there. He has also other important business interests, being president of the Lothrops-Farnam Clothing Company, of Dover, and a director of the New Boston R. R. His business and financial ability is widely recognized throughout the state, and in the southern part of the county his connection with any enterprise is of itself sufficient to inspire general confidence in its success. He served as treasurer of Strafford County for six years, making an ideal official. He belongs to the Masonic order, to the Knights of Pythias and to the Bellamy Club. In politics he is a Republican, and for two years he served as a member of Gov. Henry B. Quimby's personal staff.
Mr. Goss married Miss Winifred Lane, born April 30. 1875, a daughter of Charles H. and Lorena A. (Perkins) Lane, of Pittsfield, N. H., and he and his wife are the parents of a son, Charles Lane Carpenter Goss, born February 24, 1903. Mrs. Goss is at present state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of other patriotic and social organiza- tions. The family are affiliated with the First Congregational church and are prominent members of the best society of Dover. As business man and citizen Mr. Goss is a potent factor in the life of Dover and vicinity, his character uniting in happy proportion those two most desirable qualities of progress and conservatism so pithily enjoined in the famous saying of Davy Crockett- "Be sure you're right, then go ahead."
GEORGE W. NUTTER, M. D., formerly a member of the New Hamp- shire legislature, and in 1900 a member of the New Hampshire State Con- stitutional Convention, has been engaged in medical practice at Salmon Falls since 1891 and is owner and proprietor of a drug store here, a second store at Somersworth, and a third store at Concord. Dr. Nutter was born at Barn- stead, N. H., June 21, 1858, and is a son of William S. and Mary E. (Culins) Nutter. The founder of the Nutter family in New England came from Eng- land in 1630, settling in what is now Newington, N. H., the family removing to Barnstead when the great-grand father was a young man. Both the father and grandfather were born and raised at Barnstead where William S. Nutter passed his life, being a man of substantial standing and serving at times in the office of selectman. His death occurred some years ago about 1898.
George WV. Nutter was reared in his native place where he first attended school, later becoming a student at Pittsfield Academy and subsequently at Dartmouth Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in 1883. He entered into practice at Manchester and won political and professional prominence there, coming from that city to Salmon Falls in 1891, as stated
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above. He has always been an active citizen with a feeling of responsibility. For several years he served as selectman of Rollinsford and at present is tax collector of the town, elected on the Democratic ticket. Dr. Nutter is a trustee of the Rollinsford Savings Bank and a director of the Salmon Falls Bank.
Dr. Nutter was first married to Miss Josie M. Lord, of Salmon Falls. His second marriage was to Miss Bertha A. Johnson, of this place, and they have two daughters, Ruth and Dorothy. The family attends the Congregational church. He is well known in fraternal life, being a thirty-second degree Mason and a "Shriner," belonging to Granite Lodge, A. F. & A. M. at Salmon Falls; the Chapter at South Berwick, Me .; the Council and Commandery at Dover ; Aleppo Shrine at Boston and other branches at Portsmouth and Nashua, N. H. He belongs also to Ridgley Lodge of Odd Fellows, at Manchester.
WILBUR M. WENTWORTH, who follows farming and dairying near Rollinsford, N. H., was born on the place on which he lives, January 6, 1863, and is a son of John H. and Mary J. (Stockpole) Wentworth, and a grandson of John Wentworth. Grandfather Wentworth was seven years old when he accompanied an uncle who settled on the farm that is now owned by Wilbur M. Wentworth, this land never since having passed out of the family.
John H. Wentworth was born at Rollinsford, N. H., and lived there all his life, his death occurring in 1903. He married Mary J. Stockpole, who was born at Somersworth, N. H., and died in 1888. Of their numerous children the following survive : Charles T., who lives at Rollinsford; Ella C., who is the wife of Frank L. Quint, of North Berwick, Me .; John B., who live sat South Berwick, Me .; Orion A., who is of Rollinsford; Emma C., who is the wife of Alfred J. Foss, of South Berwick, Me. ; Mabel, who is the wife of Edward H. Spurling, of Dover; Wilbur M .; Lizzie A., who is the wife of Charles E. Quint, of South Berwick; Alvah D., of South Berwick ; Herbert T. and Elmer N., both residing at Rollinsford. In politics John H. Wentworth was a Repub- lican. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist church at South Berwick, Me.
Wilbur M. Wentworth was reared on the home farm and was educated in the public schools. He owns sixty acres of excellent land and here carries on general agriculture, including dairying. This property possesses much more than a money value to him as it has been the family heritage for generations, each owner making improvements and adding to its value.
Mr. Wentworth married Miss Florence M. Ford, of South Berwick, who died early. His second marriage was to a lady born in Connecticut. In politics he is a Republican. He is interested in the Patrons of Husbandry and is a member of the Hiram R. Roberts Grange and belongs also to the lodge of Knights of Pythias at Portsmouth, N. H. Mr. Wentworth stands well with his
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fellow citizens and is numbered with the solid and substantial men of this section.
GEORGE BENNETT WRIGHT, general agent of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Springfield, Mass., was born in Brad- ford, N. H., July 8, 1866, a son of George J. and Sarah F. ( Barnard) Wright. The father was a railroad engineer. Mr. Wright attended the public and high schools at Claremont, N. H., and subsequently the New Hampton Insti- tute at New Hampton, N. H. He was then employed in the railroad offices for eight years, after which he entered the life insurance business, beginning as agent in the employ of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In this position he did so well that he was soon promoted to that of assistant super- intendent. He was then given supervision of one of the ordinary depart- ments, and in 1910 was made superintendent of the Dover District, one of the most important positions which the company has to bestow in this state. Here also Mr. Wright "made good," his natural business ability and thorough training standing him in good stead. In 1913 he was made general agent for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company with headquarters at Dover, the eastern part of New Hampshire being under his supervision.
Mr. Wright is a Free Mason of high standing, having attained the 32d degree, and also belongs to Bektash Temple, Mystic Shrine, of which he is past potenate; and to Lodge No. 184, B. P. O. E. His social affiliations also include membership in the Bellamy Club, the Portsmouth Country Club and the Middlebrook Golf Club. In 1889 Mr. Wright married Miss Jennie M. Jones, of Concord, N. H., and he and his wife are the parents of two children -Dorothy, the wife of William Woosnam of Lawrence, Mass., and James J. who is attending Colby College, at Waterville, Me. Mr. Wright is a trustee of the Merchants' Savings Bank, of Dover and is a man whose opinion on business matters carriers weight throughout this part of the state.
GEORGE FREDERICK SYMES, who is one of the substantial business men of Somersworth, conducts a first class grocery store at No. 70 High street, being sole proprietor of the oldest grocery house in the place, the old firm name of William Symes & Son being retained. G. F. Symes was born at Somers- worth in 1860 and is a son of William and Nancy (Hanson) Symes. The father was born in West Newfield, Maine, and the mother at Newmarket, N. H. In 1844 William Symes came to New Hampshire and for thirty years afterward was engaged in a manufacturing business. He then embarked in the grocery business at Somersworth and continued until his death, at the age of eighty-seven years. His children were five in number, two of whom died
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in infancy and one, William, later in life. There are two survivors, Mrs. Harry V. Moore and G. F. Symes. For over fifty years William Symes was a deacon in the Congregational church.
G. F. Symes obtained his education in the schools of his native place and began to assist his father in boyhood, in 1888 becoming his partner, under the style of William Symes & Son, this caption continuing. Mr. Symes car- ries a full line of staple and fancy groceries and leads the trade here. He is on the directing board of the First National Bank of Somersworth.
Mr. Symes married Miss Stella Hunter, of Topsham, Me., September 12, 1893, and they have one daughter, Margaret, born October 19, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Symes attend the Congregational church. In politics he is a Republican and at times has served as a member of the city council. He is justly proud of the fact that he is a direct descendant of Zachariah Symes, minister of the first church in Charlestown, Mass., from 1634 to 1671. Through the maternal line, Mr. Symes is a lineal descendant, in the ninth generation, of Governor Thomas Dudley of Massachusetts.
ALPHONSO E. LITTLEFIELD, for many years was one of the highly respected residents of Dover, N. H., a man noted for business integrity and one who was esteemed in his family and neighborhood. He was born at Eaton Center, Carroll county, N. H., April 1, 1850, and died at Dover, Febru- ary 13, 1912. His parents, John and Polly (Williams) Littlefield, were born in Maine and it is not unlikely that the maternal line included Roger Williams, the founder of the state of Rhode Island and the noted advocate of freedom of conscience in religious belief.
Alphonso E. Littlefield probably enjoyed the usual school advantages of other youths similarly situated, but as soon as old enough began to provide for his own support by working in the cotton mills at Somersworth, Dover and Manchester, at the last named place being for a time a mill overseer. In the eighties he settled permanently at Dover and liere was engaged in gar- dening and dairying during the rest of his life, operating a milk route for many years. His good judgment was recognized by his fellow citizens and lie was elected a member of the city government for four consecutive years, serving two years as councilman and two years as alderman.
At Manchester, N. H., January 8, 1881, Mr. Littlefield was married to Miss Mary Perry, who was born June 18, 1851, in Franklin county, N. Y., a daughter of Peter and Huldah ( Dustin) Perry, both of New York. Among her ancestors on the maternal side was Hannah Dustin. Mr. and Mrs. Little- field had one son born to them, Erwin M., who is engaged in steel mill engineering. He completed his education in the New Hampshire State College
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at Durham. In politics Alphonso E. Littlefield was a supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He was a man of high morality and was a member of the Adventist church. Mrs. Littlefield owns and resides on the home place, a highly cultivated tract of thirteen acres. For over a quarter of a century she has lived in this section and is very highly esteemed.
HON. ISAAC L. LUCAS, who for many years has been a highly re- spected resident and active business man of Dover, N. H., was born in Aire- shire, Scotland, February 22, 1846, and is a son of James and Ann (Lee) Lucas, and a grandson of Rev. Robert Lucas, who for nearly a half century, was a preacher in the Methodist faith in Ireland and Scotland. James Lucas was born in England but his wife was a native of Scotland.
Isaac L. Lucas reached the age of eighteen years with little capital except good health and a fair knowledge of books acquired in the schools near his home. With his sister, Mary A. Lucas, he then decided to emigrate to Amer- ica, possessing ambition and having enough confidence in himself to feel sure that he could make his way in a land where chances for advancement seem to lay largely on industry and perseverance. The brother and sister embarked at Greenock, Scotland, in 1864, on the sailing ship, the White Star, and after a pleasant and uneventful voyage of twenty-seven days, the travelers were landed in the harbor of New York. From there they came to Dover and here the sister of Mr. Lucas died in August, 1883. Mr. Lucas found no obstacles in his path toward independence that he could not overcome and for the past forty years he has been engaged in brick manufacturing, being one of the most prosperous in this industry at Dover Point. Early accepting civic responsibilities, Mr. Lucas became a leading force in public matters in Strafford county and has been a very useful and influential citizen. For seventeen years he served the city of Dover in the office of street commissioner, for two years was alderman from the Fourth Ward and for two more years was selectman and chairman of the board, and for four years served as a representative from the Fourth Ward, town of Dover, in the New Hampshire legislature. In his political views he is a Republican.
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