USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 63
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In the excellent national schools of Derbyshire, James Shaw secured his education. For three years prior to coming to the United States, he was in the employ of the Midland Railroad as a freight clerk. In the fall of 1886 he embarked for America at Liverpool. on the steamer "Iowa," of the Warren
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line, and after a voyage of fourteen days was safely landed at Boston, Mass. From there he came to Dover, N. H., where, for 24 years he was employed in the different departments of the Cocheco Print mills, for 17 of these being shipping clerk of the works. In 1907 he gave up his connection with mill work and settled on his present farm which is located on the Middle road, Dover.
Mr. Shaw married Miss Annie Gardner, who was born at Dover, a daughter of the late James Gardner, who was a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have two children, Susan M. and Marian G. The family belongs to St. Thomas Episcopal church, Mr. Shaw being church clerk. In politics he is a Republican but his idea of good citizenship does not include the pursuit of public office. He is identified with the Royal Arcanum, at Dover.
LOUIS H. STEUERWALD, who carries on a manufacturing industry on his farm of forty-five acres in the town of Dover, producing cement build- ing blocks, bricks, posts, etc., is further well known at Dover, where he is a city employe, having served continuously since November 20, 1893, as steward and driver for Hose Company No. 3, in the fire department of this city. He was born at Dover, N. H., March 26, 1871, and is a son of Louis and Barbara Steuerwald, natives of Germany. The latter died in 1875.
Louis H. Steuerwald attended the public schools and remained at home with his father until he was fourteen years of age and then became self sup- porting. For a time he worked in the printing department of the Cocheco mills and afterward in the finishing department of a shoe factory in Dover, where he continued until 1893, when he assumed the duties of his present posi- tion. For a number of years he has carried on cement manufacturing and has developed a paying industry. In addition to the cement products above mentioned he makes porch and piazza columns, balusters, caps, steps, sills, water tables, coping and cornice. His works are located on the Garrison road, Back River, with office and samples at 40 Central avenue, Dover. He is quite active in public matters at Dover and so many of his fellow citizens place reliance on his honesty and good judgment that he has been sent as a delegate to im- portant bodies and tendered responsible political offices. He was a delegate to the convention at Manchester that nominated Hon. Cyrus Sulloway to Congress, and also was a delegate to the Counsellors' convention held at Dover that nominated Hon. Alonzo M. Foss for governor's counsellor. For six years he served as a member of the executive committee of the New Hampshire State Fireman's Relief Association, and has been a member of this association since its organization.
Mr. Steuerwald married Miss Margaret E. Neal, who was born at Kittery, Me., a daughter of Albert G. Neal, who is master mechanic of the Sawyer
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mills of the American Woolen Company at Dover, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Steuerwald have one daughter, Alberta N., who is a graduate of the Dover high school and at present is a student in the New Hampshire State college. Mr. Steuerwald and family attend the First Parish Congregational church at Dover. He is a member of Moses Paul Lodge No. 96, A. F. & A. M., and of Olive Branch Lodge No. 6, Knights of Pythias, both of Dover, and both he and wife are members of Calanthe Temple No. 27, Pythian Sisters. Mrs. Steu- erwald has been grand mistress of records for some years of the Grand Temple Pythian Sisters of New Hampshire and they also belong to Dover Grange No. 225, Patrons of Husbandry, of which Mrs. Steuerwald is secretary.
CAPT. LUTHER B. SAMPSON, living in retirement at Rochester, N. H., after many years of stirring activity in which he won success in busi- ness and glory on the field of battle, is a representative of prominent old New England families, tracing back to the Mayflower both paternally and mater- nally. He was born in Somersworth, N. H., September 1, 1841, and is a son of Luther and Mary E. (Leighton) Sampson. The Sampsons date their arrival in the United States as 1620, and the Leightons settled at Dover Point a little later. Descent is traced from Henry Sampson, an early arrival at Plymouth, and from Capt. Samuel Sampson, a New England ship master, who commanded a privateer during the Revolutionary War. The last named was born in Kingston, Mass., in August, 1736. As master mariner, he made numerous voyages for Plymouth merchants. In 1760, he was taken captive by the French, but by garbing himself as a woman effected his escape. He was one of the first captains appointed by Provincial Congress, and also the first regularly authorized privateer man. As captain of the "Independence," he succeeded in capturing five prizes. Tradition has it he was a man of unre- lenting sternness, and that upon two or three occasions he ran his sword through men for disobedience. He was married to Deborah Cushing. The family also numbered one, Deborah Sampson, who was born in 1760; during the Revolutionary War, in male attire, she enlisted for service as a private in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, under the name of Robert Shurtleff. Her service continued until she was wounded and the fact that she was a woman became known. She was afterward honored with a medal from Congress. She died in 1827.
Luther Sampson, father of the subject of this record, was overseer in the mills at Somersworth, and later continued the same business at Saco, Maine. He also operated mills at Oxford, Maine, and out in the wilds of the forest. Later he returned to New Hampshire and farmed until his death at the age of 75 years.
LUTHER B. SAMPSON
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Luther B. Sampson was attracted to the United States Navy when a mere boy, but owing to his youth his enlistment was refused. He was then employed in mills in the Alleghenies in Pennsylvania, until the Civil War broke out. October 3, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the 84th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, which history includes in the three hundred fighting regiments of the war. Twenty days later he was made a sergeant in his company, and was subsequently advanced to second lieutenant June 21, 1862; first lieutenant May 3, 1863; and to captain September 4, 1864. He was also for a time aide-de-camp. He was confined for about one month in Libby Prison, and in 1865 was honorably discharged from service, with a record of having been 222 days under fire. He returned to his home with a view to raising a battery, but the end of the war soon after prevented the carrying out of these plans. During the three years of service, Captain Sampson took part in the following engagements : Winchester, Port Royal, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Rap- pahanock Station, Kelly's Ford, Sulphur Springs, Thoroughfare Gap, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wapping Heights, Bristow Station, Jacob's Ford, Locust Grove, Mine Rune, Rapidan River, Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Jerricks Ford, Taylor's Bridge, Pleasant Hill, Talapotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Baylor's Farm, Walt- hall, Weir Bottom Church, Weldon Ridge, Davis Farm, Deep Bottom, Mal- vern Hill, Strawberry Plains, Ream's Station, Poplar Springs, and Hatchers Run. Captain Sampson served under General Sander, who died; under Gen- eral Shields when Stonewall Jackson was worsted at Winchester; under Gen- eral Pope, and under General Sickles. His service was in the Second and Third Army Corps, which historians place as the most famous of the war. The fol- lowing testimonials evince the esteem in which he was held by his comrades.
"Camp 84th Regt. Penn. Vols. Inf'y. "Near Patrick's Station before Petersburg, Va., Dec. 6th, 1864. "Luther B. Sampson, Capt. 84th P. V., Co. K.
"Sir: It is with feelings of regret that we are called upon to part with one who is endeared to us by one of the strongest ties of nature, the tie which binds us as soldiers in the cause of our Country.
"Having entered our regiment as a private, you have by your faithfulness in the discharge of your duties and your prompt obedience to the orders of your superior Officers, gained for yourself the honorable position of Captain.
"As an officer we have always found you to be zealous in the discharge of the duties which devolved upon you.
"As a company commander, your company will attest your faithfulness while acting in that capacity.
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"Receive this as the highest compliment we can pay to one who shall ever be held in dear remembrance by us, as a fellow officer in the gallant 84th.
"May you be as successful in private life as you have been faithful in the service of your country. Yours truly,
"Samuel Bryan, Capt. Comdg. 84th Pa. Vols.
"T. Edward Merchant, Ist Lieut. and A. Adjt.
"William Jack, Asst. Surg., 84th Regt. Pa. Vols.
"Joseph W. Dougherty, Capt. 84th P. V.
"Jos. H. Moore, Lt. 84th P. V.
"A. H. Taylor, Ist Lieut. 84th P. V.
"John C. Wolf, 2nd Lt. 84th Pa. Infty.
"James M. Lewis, 2nd Lieut. 84th P. V.
"John S. Jury, Lt. 84th P. V.
"C. W. Forrester, Adjt. and A. A. A. G. 2nd Brig.
"R. H. Shaw, Hospital Steward 84th P. V.
"Henry Hayden, 84th P. V.
"Jno. W. Rissel, Capt. Co. 'D' 84th P. V.
"Albert Smith, Lt. Co. 'B' 84th P. V.
"H. B. Loomis, Chief Clerk Clothing Branch, War Dept.
"J. B. Young, Ist Lt. 84th P. V. A. A. D. C. to Maj. Gen. Casey.
"G. S. Good, Lt. Co. 'T' 84th P. V."
"Camp Near Petersburg, Va., Dec. 8th, 1864.
"We, the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of Company K, 84th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, take this method of returning our sincere thanks to Capt. L. B. Sampson of Company K, 84th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for his kindness to us in camp and his bravery and gallantry on the battle field during his service with us for the past three years. It is with feelings of sadness that we are compelled to part with him. In retiring to private business we wish him the best success, trusting that the smiles of Providence will rest upon him and that he may be spared many years to his family and friends.
"Sergt. Isaac Maine. "John H. Lubold.
"Sergt. Robert H. Jamison. "John B. Shankel.
"Sergt. J. H. Barger. "Uriah Hennigh.
"Sergt. J. N. Ferguson. "Geo. W. Coalmer.
"Corpl. Wm. B. Hemphill. "Joseph F. Stouffer.
"Priv. Robt. Graham. "John Grady.
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"J. L. Pownall. "John Mark.
"Perry Addleman.
"John Luzier.
"Orange J. Michael.
"A. B. Reams.
"H. C. Bowers.
"Adam Miller.
"John F. Weaver.
"W. H. Bennett.
"John B. Derrick.
"Chas. Snyder.
"Christopher Cassidy.
"Sergt. Wm. A. Nelson.
"Edward Barnes.
"J. S. Jury."
"Hd. Qr. 84th Batt. P. V. "Jan. 5th, 1865.
"In parting with Luther B. Sampson, late captain of this regiment, mus- tered out Dec. 4th, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service, I desire to state that it is with feelings of reluctance that the officers and men part with so valuable an officer, so much.esteemed and admired for his gentlemanly deportment, coolness and bravery displayed on many a hard fought battle field; that in losing him the regiment loses an efficient and accomplished officer who entered the army in the early part of the war entirely through a spirit of patriotism. He enlisted as a private in the 84th Penn. Vols. Oct. 3rd, '61; for his good conduct and ability was promoted Sergt. Oct. 23rd. '61; 2nd Lieut. June 21st, '61 : Ist Lieut. May 3rd, '63, and Capt. Sept. 3rd, '64; all of which were well deserved promotions. He has participated in many of the severest engagements of the war. Among the principal may be enumerated Winchester, Mar. 23rd. '62: Port Republic ; Bull Run No. 2; Chancellorsville ; Wilderness, etc., which in after years will live in history.
"Should he desire to again enter the service I would cheerfully recommend him to the trust of any position he may be called on to fill, and hope the service will not long be deprived of so valuable an officer.
. "Samuel Bryan, Capt. Comdg. 84th Batt. P. V. I."
"Hd. Qts. 2nd Brig., 3rd Div., 2nd Corps. "Jan. 5th, '65.
"I cheerfully endorse the above recommendations. This officer's record is sufficient to recommend him to favorable consideration in whatever arm of the service he may prefer.
"B. R. Pierce, Brig. Genl."
"James Hepburn.
"Samuel J. Retkey.
"James A. Mead.
"Theadore J. Garretson
"Samuel Snoddy.
"John H. Shimel.
"Nathan B. Trude.
"R. H. Shaw.
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"Head Quarters 3rd Division, 2nd Corps.
"Jan. 6th, 1865.
"I cheerfully concur in this recommendation and hope that the country will not long be deprived of the valuable services of Capt. Sampson.
"G. Mott, But. Maj. Genl."
For thirty years after the war, Luther B. Sampson was identified with the E. G. and E. Wallace Shoe Manufacturing Co., and from 1887 until 1912 was connected with the Rochester Carpet Company. He is now retired from business activity, making his residence at No. 73 Wakefield Street. March 4, 1864, he was married at Horseheads, N. Y., to Miss Susan E. Patterson, who was born in Milford, Pennsylvania, in 1846. They have had but one child to grow to maturity, John Calvin, who is with the Shamut National Bank in Boston. He married Ida Patterson of Denver, Colorado, and they have a son, John Bernard, aged 16 months. Captain and Mrs. Sampson have an adopted daughter, who was born in Wells, Me., and named Edith A. Ball, who is now known as Edith Ball Sampson. She is a very successful teacher of vocal and instrumental music in Dover, Rochester and Farmington, and is also lecturer for the Pomona Grange of New Hampshire, having been lecturer for the local grange. She is a member of Rebecca Lodge and of the Eastern Star.
Captain Sampson is a member of John C. Sampson Post, G. A. R., the Post having been named in honor of his brother, John C. Sampson, who gave up his life in charge after the mine explosion at Petersburg, Va. The last named was first lieutenant in Company H, 9th N. H. Volunteer Infantry. Our subject also is a member of the National Association of Ex-Prisoners of the War; of the Comrades of the Battlefield, in which organization he has held the highest state offices; and is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to the Commandery and Chapter. He has numerous interesting and highly prized relics of the war, among them being the old militia flag which was in service through the war: the pipe his brother carried at the time he met his death at Petersburg; the buttons from his uniform; and the old testament given Captain Sampson by his comrades, a book he carried with him through- out the war.
CAPT. S. S. SANDERS, one of the best known citizens of Dover, where, for seventeen years he has been gate tender for the Boston & Maine Railroad at Ford's Crossing, Dover Point, spent a large part of a busy life as a sailor on the high seas, beginning as a cabin boy and terminating his maritime career as master of his own vessel. Captain Sanders was born in the historic city of
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Warsaw, Poland, May 8, 1849, and is a son of Dietrich and Anna Sanders, the former a native of Bremen, Germany, and the latter of Warsaw. While living at Warsaw the father conducted a cigar factory.
S. S. Sanders was two years old when his father returned to Bremen with his wife and son. The lad had few educational opportunities as the question of self support early became an insistent one. When thirteen years of age he became cabin boy on a German bark bearing the name of "Caroline," which was in the merchant trade out of Bremen. Misfortune fell upon this bark as later it was run into by a British vessel in the English Channel and sunk. Mr. Sanders had served seven months on this bark and when the accident occurred barely escaped with his life. The English ship took him to an English port and from there sent him back to Bremen. This experience did not cure him of his love for the sea and he shipped on many other vessels in all capac- ities until he won his papers as an able seaman. In 1869 he came to the United States on a German vessel and later shipped with Capt. James H. Card of Dover Point, sailing with him for six years, in the brick carrying trade, and during a part of this time was mate of different schooners. Several years afterward he became part owner of the schooner J. Chester Wood, of Dover, of which he was master for seven years, being engaged mainly in carrying brick to Boston and nearby points. After leaving the sea, over which he had trav- eled to many parts of the world, Captain Sanders accepted his present office. He owns a comfortable home place where he has enough land to enable him to engage in market gardening and poultry raising, and he makes it a rule to keep about 150 birds, his choice being the Rhode Island Red strain.
On December 28, 1877, Captain Sanders was married to Miss Clara M. Cousens, who was born at Eliot, Me., a daughter of Amos and Hannah (Lord) Cousens. The father of Mrs. Sanders was born at Kennebunk, and the mother at Eliot, Me. Captain Sanders is a Mason and also an Odd Fellow. He is a Democrat in politics.
JAMES F. WHITEHEAD has been identified with the Sawyer Woolen Mills of Dover, now operated as the American Woolen Company, of which he is paymaster, since 1878, when he entered in the capacity of a clerk and was steadily advanced until, in 1905, he was made paymaster of the entire plant. He was born March 24, 1855, at Quechee, town of Hartford, Vt., and is a son of Francis and Mary ( Hunter ) Whitehead.
Francis Whitehead and wife were born in Scotland and soon after mar- riage came to the United States and located first at Quechee, Vt., from there moving to Woodstock and several years later to Gaysville, in the same state. Still later the family moved to Lawrence, Mass., the father's business
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all this time being connected in some way with factory work, and in 1878 Dover, N. H., became the permanent home. For many years Francis White- head was overseer of the spinning department in the Sawyer Mills and con- tinued in that position until he retired from active service, in 1904. His wife died in 1880. He was a man of reliable character and in every relation of life was the object of respect. He died 1911. Both he and his wife belonged to the Peirce Memorial church at Dover. Of their four children there are two survivors, James F. and Mary C. The latter, after creditably grad- uating from the Lawrence ( Mass.) High school, entered the medical depart- ment of the Boston University, where she spent four years and is a graduated physician. She is not, however, engaged in the practice.
James F. Whitehead attended school in different places, mainly at Gays- ville, Vt., where he completed the high school course. Following the settle- ment of the family at Lawrence, Mass., he became a clerk in a mercantile house and so continued until 1878, when he came to Dover and entered the employ of the Sawyer Woolen Mills, as stated above, remaining in the office of the company when, in 1899, the American Woolen Company became the owners of the plant. His fidelity and efficiency received gratifying recogni- tion in his appointment to his present responsible position in 1905. Aside from being a reputable and stable business man of Dover, Mr. Whitehead is a public spirited and useful citizen in regard to public matters. In his political affiliation he has always been, like his late father, a Republican and on nummer- ous occasions has been called upon to serve in public office. In 1888 and 1889 he served as a member of the city council, from the Fourth Ward, Dover, and for a quarter of a century has been a member of the ward Republican com- mittee and has also been secretary of the same until recently. During the session of 1901 of the New Hampshire legislature he served in the office of doorkeeper of the lower house. He has been interested for a number of years in several fraternal organizations, particularly in the Improved Order of Red Men, in which he is a member of the Great Council of the United States, a past great sachem, and has been a member of the Wanalanset Tribe and its secretary, at Dover, since it was instituted in 1886. He belongs also to Mt. Pleasant Lodge, Odd Fellows, and to Prescott Encampment and is a past chief patriarch. He is identified also with the Dover Lodge of Elks.
On October 18, 1910, Mr. Whitehead was married to Miss Maud C. Grant, of Dover, who is of Revolutionary ancestry on both paternal and maternal sides. He and his wife attend the Peirce Memorial Universalist church at Dover.
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WILLIAM CHARRETTE, whose undertaking establishment is at No. 49 South street, Somersworth, is one of the stable young business men of this city, where public confidence and regard have been gained through his honor- able business methods. He was born in Western Michigan, November 26, 1880, and is a son of Lazzer and Mary Charrette. They were natives of Quebec. The mother survives and makes her home with her son, but the father died at Somersworth in 1905.
William Charrette was two years old when his parents returned to the province of Quebec from Michigan, and two years later came to Somersworth, where he grew to manhood and secured a public school education. For seven years he was employed in the dye house of the Great Falls Bleachery at Somersworth, after which he went into the undertaking business and also operates a hack and dray line. He has occupied his present quarters since April 1, 1908, where he has excellent facilities for meeting every demand likely to be made in this line.
Mr. Charrette was married August 4, 1902, to Miss Alphonise Lapointe. They are members of St. Martin's Catholic church at Somersworth, and he belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, to the Societe St. Jean Baptiste, to the Eagles at Somersworth and to the Canado-American A. C. A. In politics he is a Republican.
THEODORE WILMOT, whose expert technical knowledge has advanced him to the important position of boss spinner and foreman of the spinning department in the Gonic Manufacturing Company, of Gonic, N. H., was born at Theatford, Vt., January 10, 1864, and is a son of Harry Dennis and Harriet (Newcomb) Wilmot. The parents were natives of Vermont. In 1849 the father went to the gold fields of California and after his return to his native section of the country resumed farming. He married Harriet Newcomb and they had three children, Theodore being the youngest born. Theodore Wilmot is a direct descendant of Timothy Wilmot, who served in the American Revo- lution. He saw continuous service from 1776-1781, being at New York city, Long Island, West Point, Montreal, White Plains, Lake Champlain and the siege of Yorktown.
Theodore Wilmot attended the public schools and the Theatford Academy, after which he entered a woolen mill and has continued his connection with the mill industry ever since. For fourteen years he was in the employe of the Concord Manufacturing Company, at West Concord. In September, 1906, he came to Rochester, N. H., and for three years was with the Rochester Woolen Company, then became overseer of the spinning department in the Gonic Manufacturing Company, and since then has occupied his present posi-
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tion, one in which he has 25 spinners under his supervision, and is held respon- sible for the quality and volume of the output.
Mr. Wilmot married Miss Mary S. Moore, who was born at Lakeport, in Belknap county, N. H., a daughter of Royal Moore. They have two chil- dren : Maud M., a graduate of the Rochester High and the Plymouth Normal schools, who is a teacher in the Gonic public schools; and Roland Theodore, who is a graduate of both the Rochester High school and the Dover Business College. Mr. Wilmot and family attend the Congregational church. He is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Eureka Lodge No. 70, A. F. & A. M., at Concord; Temple Chapter at Rochester, and Palestine Commandery at Rochester.
LEVI C. COOPER, deceased, was a prominent citizen of Dover for many years, a man stable in business and reliable in public and private life. He was born in South Berwick, Me., February 24, 1824, and died at his home in Dover, N. H., January 15, 1907. He was a son of Moses Cooper, also a native of South Berwick.
Levi C. Cooper was fifteen years old when he accompanied his father and step-mother to Dover, and here he practically spent the remainder of his life. After completing his education in the Dover schools he entered the Williams Belt Factory at Dover, and continued with this same company for 45 years, justly securing recognition as one of the most reliable employes of this con- cern and the personal confidence and regard of his employers. Mr. Cooper found time also to look into civic affairs and in his desire to improve condi- tions looking to the general welfare, accepted offices in which he could exert more influence than as a private citizen and served acceptably and usefully both as councilman and as alderman. He united early with the Free Will Baptist church and his subsequent life was lived consistently with his pro- fession therein. He was also active in the Masonic fraternity, with which he was long officially connected.
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