USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 70
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Downing V. Osborne was born in a section of the country where several industries flourish and after completing his period of school attendance at the age of 16 years, decided to learn the carpenter's trade. He soon, how- ever, became more interested in the shoe business and entered a shoe factory at Rochester, where he remained one year, going from there to Wolfboro, where he was employed for one and a half years. For about 16 years Mr. Osborne worked as an operative in the manufacture of shoes, a period of training that prepared him for the responsibilities he now bears as one of the large manufacturers of this section. In 1902, in partnership with Elmer F. Thayer, he purchased a manufacturing concern at Alton, N. H., and the present firm style was adopted there in 1904, the same partnership continuing to the present. In 1906 removal was made to Farmington. The company was incorporated with a capital of $125,000, and employment is given 500 people. The two plants have 100,000 square feet of floor space and are equipped with machinery capable of turning out 5,000 pairs of boys' and youths' shoes a
DOWNING V. OSBORNE
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day. The rapid expansion of this business has been marvelous and its trans- actions at the present time represent a million dollars annually.
Mr. Osborne was married in 1887 to Miss Martha A. Tuttle. Mr. Osborne votes with the Republican party but has never been desirous of holding public office. He is a 32d degree Mason and belongs also to the Odd Fellows. In addition to his large business interests at Farmington, he owns valuable real estate at Rochester, N. H.
FRED F. SEAVEY, a partner in the lumber firm of R. F. & F. F. Seavey, of Rochester, with residence at No. 23 Woodman street, was born in Boston, Mass., August 16, 1879, a son of Joseph WV. and Nellie R. (Nowlin) Seavey. His father, a resident of Everett, Mass., is a cutter in a wholesale clothing establishment. Fred F. Seavey was the only child of his parents, his mother dying at his birth. He was educated in the schools of Everett, Mass., and sub- sequently found employment with the Batchelder & Lincoln Company, whole- sale boot and shoe dealers, of Boston, with whom he remained three years. He then came to Rochester, N. H., in 1901, and entered into the lumber busi- ness, which he conducted for about seven years for himself, becoming a part- ner in the firm above mentioned in 1908. He is an up-to-date business man, progressive, and of tried integrity. In politics a Republican, he served as a member of the State Republican committee from Rochester two years ago and did useful work for his party. Mr. Seavey married Miss Faye Woodruff, of Everett, Mass., and has two children-Dorothy and Samuel F. Mr. Seavey is a past master of Rochester Grange, P. of H., and is also a Mason, being thrice illustrious master of Orient Council and Captain General of Palestine Commandery. In addition to the political activities mentioned above he served for one term as a member of the school board. He attends the Congregational church.
WILLIAM H. WHITEHOUSE. The textile mills of New England are a source of great wealth to many communities and employment is afforded thousands of individuals in the various departments. Many of these must be expert along some certain line of the manufacturing process and the most expert are usually chosen for such positions as superintendents or overseers. Since May, 1903, William H. Whitehouse has been overseer of the dressing rooms of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company at Somersworth, known as No. I and No. 2 mills, and in this responsible position he is giving the utmost satisfaction. Mr. Whitehouse was born at Dover, N. H., August 31. 1855, a son of John H. and Mary A. ( Allen) Whitehouse.
John H. Whitehouse was born at Tamworth, N. H., and was a son of
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William Whitehouse, also of Tamworth. John H. Whitehouse enlisted for service in the Civil war and was a brave soldier, although he did not meet death on the field of battle, having been accidentally shot by a member of his own company, on January 1, 1862. He married Mary A. Allen, who was born at Wakefield, N. H., and survived until 1882.
William H. Whitehouse was an infant of three weeks when his parents moved to Great Falls, now Somersworth, and was seven years old when he lost his father. His mother subsequently married Phineas D. Hoitt and in 1864 the family moved to Portsmouth, N. H., where the youth attended school. In 1878 he came back to Great Falls and from then until the present, with the exception of nine years spent in the grocery business at Somersworth, has been connected with the departments in the Great Falls Manufacturing Company's mills with which he is yet identified.
Mr. Whitehouse married Miss Annah M. Doe, and they have one daugh- ter, Annie V., who is an accomplished young lady, a graduate of the Somers- worth High school. Mr. Whitehouse is a member of the Baptist church at Somersworth, in which he is a deacon. He belongs to Libanus Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., at Somersworth, in which he is senior warden, and belongs to Washington Lodge No. 4, I. O. O. F., Somersworth, and for the past fifteen years has been treasurer of this lodge, and also is a member of Stephen J. Wentworth Camp No. 14, Sons of Veterans. Mr. Whitehouse has also passed the chairs in the Great Falls Encampment, No. 15, his interest in this fraternal organization having been continuous since early manhood.
ARTHUR L. FOOTE, a prominent member of the Strafford county bar, having an office in the Masonic Temple, Dover, was born in Lewiston, Me .. December 25, 1863, a son of. William L. and Elizabeth ( Meserve) Foote. The father of our subject, son of William L. Foote, was a blacksmith. A. L. Foote, who was one of six children, after graduating from the Great Falls high school in 1883, read law under George E. Beachem, of Somersworth, N. H., and was admitted to the bar March II, 1887. He immediately became Mr. Beachem's partner, this association being continued until the latter's death. From 1865 until November 22, 1886, he was a resident of Sanbon- ville and while living there practiced law at Somersworth until 1908, when he came to Dover. He was president of the bar there from 1904 to 1908. While residing in Carroll county, N. H., he served as county solicitor. On January 29. 1908, Mr. Foote located in Dover, of which city he has since been a resi- dent and where he has gained a high reputation as a capable attorney. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Masons, the Red Men and the Elks. In politics he is a Republican.
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Mr. Foote married Miss Carrie B. Sanborn, who died in the spring of the present year, 1913, leaving one child, Lowell S. The family affiliate relig- iously with the Episcopal church.
AUGUST G. BERNIER,* contractor and builder, is one of the repre- sentative business men of Somersworth, to which city he came in 1892 and is established at No. 45 Franklin street. He was born in the province of Quebec, near Quebec, Canada, August 22, 1859, and is a son of Damase Bernier, who died in Quebec when aged 74 years.
After his school days August G. Bernier assisted his father, who was a carpenter and builder, and under him learned his trade. At the age of 19 years he came to the United States and prior to locating at Great Falls, N. H. (now Somersworth), he worked in various places. He spent several years at Muskegon and Grand Haven, Mich., six years in the province of Quebec, on the river Du Loup, and four years in New Brunswick. In 1892 he came to Great Falls, where he has been in business for himself for the last 15 years, prior to this having been foreman for George E. Hanson, a well known builder at Somersworth. Mr. Bernier has been concerned in a large amount of building here and his reputation is that of a skilled workman, careful contractor and honest man.
Mr. Bernier was married January 14. 1884, to Miss Adalena Demers, who was born in the province of Quebec, and they have had six children: Joseph, who is a resident of Salem, Mass .; John C., Alfred, and Arthur, all of whom live at Somersworth; and two who are deceased. Mr. Bernier and family are members of St. Martin's Roman Catholic church at Somersworth and he is identified with several organizations. He has been quite active politically and at one time was the candidate of the Republican party for representative of the Third Ward in the New Hampshire legislature, failing of election by the small margin of 17 votes. He is a progressive, earnest and public-spirited citizen and as such reflects credit on the community.
JOHN R. PATTEE, M. D., physician and surgeon, of Dover, was born in Campton, N. H., December 22, 1860, a son of John W. and Charlotte Polly Pattee. He was educated in the public schools and gained his medical educa- tion in the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating there in :888. He began the practice of his profession in Canterbury, N. H., where he remained for ten years. Locating in Dover in 1896. he has since remained a resident of this city and by hard work and close attention to his profession. has built up a lucrative practice. While residing in Canterbury he served as county physician, also as chairman of the board of health. He has a con-
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venient office at 392 Central Avenue. He is a member of the Strafford County Medical Society and of the State Medical Society, and is affiliated fraternally with the order of Owls.
Dr. Pattee was first united in marriage with Miss Georgia E. Kimball, now deceased; they had two children-Ruth E. and John A. His present wife was in maidenhood Miss Alice Howarth, a daughter of Richard Howarth, they having adopted one child, Marion E. The family residence is located at No. 16 Second street. Dr. Platte is a close student of his profession, keeping well abreast of its progress in the various departments. As a citizen he is reliable and patriotic and always in favor of any movement calculated to pro- mote the general good of the community, along either moral or material lines.
WILLIAM E. RINES, assessor of Ward No. I, Dover, who operates 35 acres of land in Dover devoted to dairying and poultry raising, was born in Bath, Me., June 20, 1846, a son of William H. and Roxana (Tibbetts ) Rines. Both his parents were natives of New England. William H. Rines, the father, carne with his family from Bath to Dover about 1848. He served in the U. S. Navy for three years during the Civil war and subsequently resided in Dover until his death, which took place about 25 years ago. He was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the work of which society he took much interest. Of his children three are now living : William E., whose name begins this sketch; Annie S. and Nellie M., both of whom also reside in Dover. The father, William H., was a member of the Free Will Baptist church and a Republican in politics.
William E. Rines was a child but two years old when he came with his parents to Dover and here he was reared to manhood, attending the public schools of the city, in which he gained his literary education. This he has since enlarged by reading and study. After leaving school he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for some years in and around Boston, Mass. Later returning to Dover, he engaged in farming in which line of business he has since continued. He is a Republican in politics and is now serving his eighth year as assessor of Ward I, and has just been re-elected for another term of two years, being very popular both as a man and public official. He belongs to Mt. Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Dover, and to Major A. J. H. Buzzell Camp, Sons of Veterans, at Dover, N. H., of which he is a charter member. Mr. Rines married Ellen M. Russell, of West Cam- bridge, now Arlington, Mass. They have a pleasant home and a wide circle of friends throughout this section.
COL. HORACE L. WORCESTER
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F. K. STEVENS, who conducts a grocery and feed store and also operates a grain elevator at Lebanon, Me., has long been ranked among the fore- most citizens of East Rochester, N. H. He is a native of Maine, having been born in the town of Industry, and is a son of James Madison and Velsonia (Freerick) Stevens.
James Madison Stevens was born in Green township and was reared at Lewiston. He followed farming some five years prior to the Civil war, in which he served most creditably, and upon his return from the front worked in the Androscoggin Mills at Lewiston, as machinist, 10 years. He then went to Madison, Me., where he lived until his death at the age of 63 years. He and his estimable wife became the parents of three children: F. K., sub- ject of this record; Nellie and Grace. The two last named are deceased.
F. K. Stevens was reared in Maine until his nineteenth year, when he crossed the line into New Hampshire. Here he has since lived, except for a period of four years when he was engaged at Keene as overseer of spinners for the Faulkner and Colony Company. He then returned and after farming about two years started his present business operations, which he has been carrying on for five years. He carries a complete general line of merchan- dise, also hay, grain and wood. He purchased the buildings of Charles Brad- ley, but in the main he has made the improvements himself. He has the only business of the kind at this point, and is meeting with success.
Mr. Stevens was joined in marriage with Miss Hamie A. Canney of Dover, and the following children have blessed their home: Harold, Carl, Grace, and Florence Maybelle. Fraternally Mr. Stevens is a member of the Knights of Pythias at East Rochester. He is a Republican in politics.
COL. HORACE L. WORCESTER, one of Rochester's best known resi- dents, who has honorably filled many public positions, retired from active iner- cantile life in 1900, but continues to be closely interested in all matters affect- ing the general welfare of the city. He was born March 28, 1846, at Lebanon, York county, Me., and is a son of Lemuel and Margaret (Pray) Worcester. His parents were natives of Maine, where the father, a farmer, lived to the age of over 80 years. `Of their four children two died in infancy. The sur- vivors are Horace L. and Mrs. Mary A. Wallingford, the latter a resident of North Berwick, Me.
Col. Worcester, after leaving school, learned the trade of shoemaker and followed it for many years in Rochester, Dover, Farmington and Natick. In 1864, although but 18 years of age, he enlisted at Portland, Me., on the U. S. ship Sabine, for service in the Civil war, but served on the U. S. S. Lacka- wana. His manly appearance, together with his story that he was 21 years of
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age caused him to be accepted without the consent of his father. He served in the West Gulf Squadron under Admirals Farragut and Thatcher until the close of the war. He is Past Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic of New Hampshire, and a member of Sampson Post No. 22 of Rochester. During the administration of Governor Jordan he was appointed a member of the Governor's staff with the rank of colonel, a title he still retains and prizes.
Owing to ill health Col. Worcester retired from the shoe business and accepted a position that would give him a more active life and for three years was baggagemaster on the Great Falls Railway. He was for 20 years engaged in the book and stationery business, 12 years of that time being a co-partner with Frank Greenfield. For many years he has been connected officially with the Norway Plains Savings Bank, being a trustee and during a part of the time president, which office he resigned in 1902 on account of his prolonged absence in the west.
For a long period Col. Worcester has been actively interested in public affairs. From 1880 until 1884 inclusive he was town clerk. He served as a member of the New Hampshire Legislature of 1903, resigning to accept the position of U. S. Consul to Saltillo, Mexico. Among other positions filled efficiently by him were those of city clerk, clerk and collector for the water works, clerk of the police court, and at present time is clerk of the district court for Rochester, and trustee of the Rochester Public Library, and in 1900 he was elected mayor of Rochester, serving two years, after which he spent some time in the Black Hills region, Dakota. The Colonel is a Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the Farragut Associates (composed of officers and men who served in Farragut's Fleet ).
On June 27, 1872, Col. Worcester was married to Miss Millie A. Green- field, daughter of the late Charles Greenfield, formerly president and a director of the Norway Savings Bank. Mrs. Worcester was very prominent in social life and of rare executive ability. She was one of the honorary mnem- bers of the Board of Women Managers of the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, N. Y .; was the first president of the Rochester Woman's Club and one of its managers; a member of the Margery Sullivan Chapter of the D. A. R. of Dover; past department president of the Woman's Relief Corps of New Hampshire; grand treasurer of the order of Eastern Star, and later assistant matron and matron of James Farrington Chapter of the order of Eastern Star ; she was also the organizer and first regent of Mary Torr Chapter, D. A. R., of Rochester.
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ALEXANDER STEWART,* who carries on a large business at No. 44 Orange street, Somersworth, as a contracting house painter and paper langer, is well known in this city, where his work meets with general approval. He was born in Leath, Scotland, in June, 1846, and is a son of John and Agnes Stewart.
In 1854 Alexander Stewart accompanied his parents to the United States and the family settled at Somersworth, N. H., where he grew to manhood and learned his kindred trade. In May, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company K, 2nd N. H. Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Potomac. He saw hard service, participating in 32 engagements from the first battle of Bull Run to the surrender of General Lee, many of them being the greatest battles of the war, including Bull Run (1), siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Strawberry Plains, Malvern Hill, Bull Run (2d), Malvern Hill (2d), under General Hooker, Kettle Run, Chantilly, Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Shortly before the battle of Chantilly he was transferred to Company K, 4th U. S. Artillery. Having completed all the terms of his first enlistment, he reenlisted February 1I, 1864, for three years more and was honorably discharged February II, 1867. After the surrender of General Lee he was stationed at Washington, D. C., and after- ward, for one year, was at Fort Delaware, where he received his second honorable discharge and then returned to Somersworth.
Mr. Stewart married Miss Ellen Carbry, a native of Scotland, who died November 13, 1909. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to Washington lodge of Odd Fellows at Somersworth. Now one of the busy, useful and respected citizens of Somersworth, he has won through his own perseverance and honesty this place of high standing and he has proved that a faithful soldier in times of war may be a valued citizen in days of peace.
ROBERT H. GODDARD,* one of Dover's well known and respected citizens who is engaged in farming and stock raising to some extent, has been a resident of New Hampshire since the spring of 1888 and of the town of Dover since 1895. He was born April 26, 1861, at Durham, Me., and is a son of James and Jane (Douglass) Goddard. James Goddard was a native of Brunswick and his wife of Durham, Me. The paternal grandfather, Robert Goddard, was also born in Brunswick.
Robert H. Goddard is a self made man in the sense of having had to depend upon his own efforts and judgment from boyhood. He was but six years of age when his father died and only twelve years old when his mother passed away. He remained in the vicinity of Durham until he was 18 years
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old and then went to Amesbury, Mass., and prior to coming to New Hamp- shire, spent one year in Michigan. Mr. Goddard lived at Madbury, Strafford county, for twelve years and then settled on his present farm in Dover town where he has been engaged in agricultural activities ever since. He is deemed a very capable farmer and is held in esteem by his fellow citizens as a dependable and honorable neighbor.
In March, 1881, Mr. Goddard was married to Miss Hattie Chambers, who was born at Bath, Me., a daughter of the late William Chambers, who was a native of Nova Scotia. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard have had eight children : Herbert H .; Jennie E., who is the wife of Ernest W. Pickens, of Lawrence, Mass .; Bertha M., who is the wife of Henry J. Tetreau, of Lawrence, Mass. ; Fred C., who is a student in the medical department of Tuft's College, Boston, Mass .; May E. and Malissa M., who reside at home; and William and Doris A., who are deceased. Mr. Goddard has never been very active in political affairs but always casts his vote with the Republican party.
EVERETT A. PUGSLEY, superintendent of the public schools of Rochester, N. H., is a well known educator of Strafford county, a man of acknowledged scholastic attainments who since completing his education has devoted his whole life to teaching. He was born at Rochester, in 1858, and is a son of Frank and Mahala ( Hamilton) Pugsley.
Frank Pugsley was born at North Shapleigh, Me., and his boyhood and youth were spent there and at Acton. In early manhood he engaged in the shoe trade at Lynn, Mass., later he moved to Great Falls, N. H., and sub- sequently came to Rochester. He married Mahala Hamilton, a native of Rochester, and they had four children: Alvin L., now deceased; Everett A .; Fremont L., who is an attorney at law, residing at Melrose, Mass .; and Bertha, who is a resident of Rochester.
Everett A. Pugsley attended the public schools of Rochester and Austin Academy at Strafford, N. H., and still later the New Hampton Literary Institute at New Hampton, N. H., subsequently graduating from Bowdoin College. In the course of his busy life he has been engaged in teaching a wide range of subjects and has filled several important educational positions for long periods. For some time he was a principal of the Northwood Academy at Northwood, N. H., then was instructor in history and English at St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y. For a time he was principal of the schools of Salmon Falls, N. H., and for the past four years has been superintendent of the Rochester schools. He is connected with numerous educational bodies and is a recognized force in school advancement in this section of New Hampshire.
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Mr. Pugsley married Miss Elizzie D. Felker of Rochester, N. H., of the family from whom comes the present governor, Samuel D. Felker, of New Hampshire, and they have one son, Raymond F., who is a pupil in the Rochester High school. Mr. Pugsley and family attend the Congregational church. Politically he is affiliated with the Republican party. Mr. Pugsley takes a deep interest in all movements for the benefit of his city, state and the country at large; he belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry, being a member of the Hiram R. Roberts Grange of Rollinsford, N. H.
CHARLES H. HUSSEY,* a well known resident of Dover and the owner of 140 acres of excellent land, 100 of which comprise his home farm, was born in Somersworth, N. H., March 1, 1861, and is a son of John and Sallie Hussey, and a grandson of John S. Hussey. No family in the town of Somersworth stands higher in public regard and it is one of the old pioneer ones of that section. John Hussey and wife were residents of Dover for many years, he being an extensive farmer during middle life.
Charles H. Hussey attended the public schools during boyhood, after which he learned the carpenter's trade, which, in conjunction with farming, he has carried on ever since. Since 1911 he has lived on his present place. He takes only a good citizen's interest in public affairs, not desiring office for himself, and gives his political support to the candidates of the Democratic party. He is well known in many parts of the county and enjoys the respect and friendship of all who have done business with him.
HON. JAMES A. LOCKE .- On Friday, January 19, 1912, there passed from earth's scenes one of Somersworth's most honored sons, James A. Locke, a man well loved and held in deep regard not only by his immediate family, in which he was a model husband and father, but by practically the entire community, which he had often served faithfully and efficiently in public affairs.
Mr. Locke was born on Fayette street, this city, February 8, 1847, a son of Howard and Eunice (Wentworth) Locke. After acquiring his education in the public schools of Somersworth, he enlisted, on August 16, 1862, at the age of 15 years, in the U. S. navy, from Portsmouth, N. H., as a first class boy. He was drafted to the U. S. school ship "Macedonian," under Captain Stone, and was honorably discharged March 10, 1863. Ten days after he re-enlisted on the "Ohio" at Portsmouth, as landsman. This time he was drafted to the U. S. bark "Restless," and was honorably discharged May 6, 1864. He enlisted for the third time on August 22, 1864, on board the receiving ship, "Vandalia," lying at Portsmouth, and was drafted to the
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