USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 72
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
EUGENE S. HUNTRESS, M. D.,* who has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Farmington since 1911, was born October 20, 1858, at Portsmouth, N. H., the fifth child in a family of six born to his parents, Seth W. and Catherine H. (Palmer) Huntress. They were natives of New Hampshire and both are now deceased, the burial of the father being at Portsmouth and that of the mother at Farmington.
Eugene S. Huntress attended the public schools at Portsmouth, graduat- ing from the grammar school, after which he applied himself to medical study. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont and also of the Boston University, in medicine and surgery. His first 17 years of practice were spent at Wolfboro, N. H., then for two years he was in Boston, Mass., two more years he practiced at Keene, N. H., spent the following two years at Dairy, N. H., and from there, in September, 1911, came to Farmington, where his skill in the line of his profession has been speedily recognized.
In June. 1879. Dr. Huntress was married to Miss Flora B. Pinkham, who was born at Farmington August 30, 1860, a daughter of Frank B. Pink- ham. They had two children: Ida F., who is the wife of George Moses, of Lynn, Mass., and Frederick E., who also lives at Lynn, with wife and one child. On April 17. 1906, Dr. Huntress was married secondly to Mrs. Elise M. Caulstone, who was born in Switzerland, January 30. 1859, a daughter of Armand and Rosalie (Monod) Shopfer. They spent their lives in Switzer-
756
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY
land and their burial was in the cemetery at Vevey. By her former mar- riage Mrs. Huntress had five living children: Joliet Louise, who married Dr. Killory, then of Boston, now of Somerville, Mass .; Charles W., who lives at home; Pauline E., who is an employe of the Boston postoffice; and Emile A. and Albert R., both of whom reside at home.
In his political views Dr. Huntress has always been a Republican but has never desired any public office. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias. With his family he belongs to the Congregational church. Mrs. Huntress is a member of the Farmington Ladies' Club.
LESLIE W. GLIDDEN, mortician and funeral director, located at Nos. 20-26 Locust street, Dover, carries on business under the firm of Glidden & Glidden, the junior partner being his wife. Mr. Glidden was born at Dover, N. H., December 16, 1875, and is a son of George W. and Jennie A. (Winn) Glidden. The father was born also in New Hampshire and for a few years after marriage lived at Dover but died in a western state when his only child was young. The mother survives and resides at Wells, Me.
Leslie W. Glidden attended the South Berwick Academy and Bates Col- lege, afterward taught school for several terms, and then engaged in farming until 1906, when he embarked in his present business. In order to properly prepare for it, Mr. Glidden attended the Massachusetts College of Embalming at Boston and was then associated with his uncle, the late John A. Glidden, until the latter's death in February, 1913. For forty years he had been in the undertaking business and was a man well and favorably known all over this section.
John A. Glidden was born March 14, 1836, at Tuftonboro, N. H., the third child of John and Pluma (Dame) Glidden. A carpenter by trade, he came to Dover in 1868 and was employed as carpenter and general repair man in the Cocheco Mills until he severed that connection in 1869 and in 1873 established an undertaking and livery business. He was a Republican in poli- tics and while living at Barrington was superintendent of schools. At Dover he served on the board of aldermen, and in 1899 was a member of the lower house in the state legislature. He was a thirty-third degree Mason and since 1872 had been an Odd Fellow, belonging to all the branches of the order. He served with the rank of major on the staff of Gen. A. J. Farrington. In many ways the late John A. Glidden was one of the leading men of Dover. On May 12, 1860, John A. Glidden was married to Mary Addie Manson, a daughter of James and Sophia (Sherburn) Manson. Mrs. Glidden was a highly educated woman and even after marriage was her husband's assistant
LESLIE W. GLIDDEN
759
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
teacher in school work. She died September 16, 1891. John A. Glidden was a prominent member of the Advent church.
Leslie W. Glidden was married May 17, 1898, to Miss Ozza Noble, who is a graduate of the New England Institute of Anatomy and Sanitary Science of Boston, where she secured her diploma and is in full partnership with her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Glidden have four children: Robert L., Irma L., Earl E. and John A. In politics Mr. Glidden is a Republican. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and is very prominent in the latter organization, belonging to Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 16, Prescott Encampment No. 23 and Canton Parker No. 3, of which he is commander and is also district deputy grand patriarch. He is also a member of Olive Branch No. 64, K. of P.
The firm of Glidden & Glidden have every equipment for the proper and dignified conduct of their business, possess the confidence of the public and the esteem of a large circle of personal friends.
COL. FRANK L. KENDALL, who is proprietor of the largest insur- ance agency in Strafford County, has been established at Rochester since 1902. He was born in 1870, at St. Johnsbury, Vt., and is a son of L. L. and Maria A. (Poland) Kendall and an only child. The father passed his entire life in Vermont, where he was a merchant for many years and died when aged 76 years.
Frank L. Kendall was educated in the public schools at St. Johnsbury Academy, and for some years afterward followed railroading. In 1892 he embarked in the insurance business at Laconia in Belknap county, N. H., and from there came to Rochester in 1902, where he has built up an enormous volume of business, covering every line of insurance. He is a man of great enterprise and ready recognition of business opportunity and is additionally interested as secretary and treasurer of the Rochester Building and Loan Company. as a director of the Rochester Loan and Banking Company, as treasurer of the Rochester Fair Association and one of the organizers and a former president of the Rochester Country Club.
Mr. Kendall was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Kennett, and they have one son, Kennett Russell, now aged four years. In politics Mr. Kendall is a Republican and secured his military title as a member of the staff of Governor Batchelder. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and also an Odd Fellow.
CHARLES SIDNEY WHITEHOUSE * was born September 3, 1827, and died March 4, 1899. The interim of those dates marks the lifetime of a man whose great energy and boundless enthusiasm carried him into many
760
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY
fields of activity, aside from his private business. A leader in thought and action, he was always found in the front rank fighting for that which would benefit his home town, county, state or nation, and it can truthfully be said he left an impress on the community which time has not effaced. His chief business activity was in woolen manufacture at Gonic and Rochester, New Hampshire, along which line his father before him established a reput- tation which was by no means confined to this state.
Mr. Whitehouse was born in Gonic, N. H., and was a son of Nicholas V. and Susan ( Place) Whitehouse. The manner in which Hon. Nicholas V. Whitehouse won his way in the world from poor circumstances, with little education and no means, to a station of affluence and prestige, is told else- where. The Whitehouse family in America dates back to early colonial days, having come from Wales to New England, although the earliest names and dates have been obscured by time. The earliest of whom we have knowl- edge was Edward Whitehouse, whose name appears as a "third share pro- prietor" in the schedule of the original proprietors of Rochester, N. H., bearing date of May 12, 1722, under charter of that date granted by King George III. There were many families of the name in Rochester and sur- rounding towns, all people in moderate circumstances, given to farming, the trades and ordinary labor. At a later date we find some who developed ability along different lines and became influential, among whom may be mentioned Hon. George L. Whitehouse (born in 1797 and died in 1887), a civil engineer of Farmington, N. H., a builder of railroads, sheriff, registrar of deeds, and judge in the Court of Common Pleas. Turner Whitehouse, an ancestor to whom the last named directly traces, was one of the 198 citizens of Rochester who, on October 15, 1776, signed the declaration : "We, the subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and promise that we will. to the utmost of our power, at the risk of our lives and fortunes with arms oppose the hostile proceeding of the British fleet and armies against United American Colonies." Israel Whitehouse, father of Hon. Nicholas V. White- house, was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving for a time in Capt. Andrew Pierce's company, and later in the company of Capt. John Haven.
The Place family, from whom the subject of this sketch came on the maternal side, also had numerous representatives in and surrounding Roches- ter. The Rev. Joseph Haven, during a pastorate extending from 1776 to 1824, recorded the baptism and marriage of 72 persons of that name. Rev. Enoch Place (born in 1786 and died in 1865) was for 57 years a minister of the Free Will Baptist church. There were some of the name who partici- pated in the French and Indians war as early as 1748, also many of the name in the Continental army during the Revolutionary struggle. Mrs. White-
761
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
house was a great-granddaughter of Richard Place, who it is thought came from Devonshire, England, about the year 1688, with his father, John Place, settling in Newington, N. H. Richard Place married his cousin. Susannah Thompson, daughter of Noah Thompson of Berwick, Maine, and among their children was Col. David Place, of Revolutionary War distinc- tion, who was born in 1741 and died in 1824. David Place raised a company for the Second Continental Regiment, under Colonel James Reed, in 1776. He served first as captain and later as colonel, and after the war was a man of influence in all town affairs. His son, Stephen Place, married Elizabeth Chesley, a daughter of James Chesley, who lived to the remarkable age of 101 years. Of the seven children of this marriage, Susan Thompson Place ( Mrs. Whitehouse ) was the second in order of birth. She was born in 1803 and died in 1888.
Charles Sidney Whitehouse attended village school from the time he was old enough until he was thirteen years of age, then in 1840 began attendance at the academy of Centre Strafford, where he remained two terms under the instruction of Francis W. Upham, a native of Rochester, N. H. During the simmers of 1841 and 1842 he attended the academy at Durham, N. H., and during fall and winter of those years attended academy at Rochester, under Harrison C. Hobart, to whom he was much indebted for his high ideals and the moulding of his future life. In 1843 he entered Phillips Exeter Acad- emy, which he attended two years, lacking little of being prepared for col- lege when ill health brought his schooling to a close. Mr. Whitehouse first began work as clerk in the store of E. & W. Andrews at Dover, with whom he remained a little more than a year. Early in 1846 he entered the employ of Benjamin T. Hardy in the dry goods business at Lowell, continuing at this occupation until January, 1848. He returned to his home at Gonic and entered the mill of his father to learn the woolen manufacturing business. which was to be his field of operations for the following 30 years. Through his personal efforts, a postoffice was established in Gonic in 1851 and he was installed as the first postmaster, an office he filled efficiently for 26 years. In 1858 the Gonic Manufacturing Company was incorporated with his father as agent, and he, himself, as superintendent and clerk. He discharged the duties of these positions until the fall of 1875. In 1862 he had joined with his father, Nicholas V. Whitehouse, John Hall, Samuel B. Rindge of Boston, and a few others, in the organization of the Cocheco Woolen Com- pany at East Rochester, N. H., and during that and the following year he superintend the construction of the large brick mill of the Gonic Manu- facturing Company, and improved its water power. In August, 1875, he severed his connection with the Gonic Manufacturing Company and assumed
762
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY
management of the Cocheco Company at East Rochester. During his five years' tenure of that position, he evidenced exceptional executive ability and caused many improvements to be made, not alone in the matter of com- pany property, but in the beautifying of the streets with shade trees and the encouragement he gave toward the erection of a new schoolhouse on an enlarged lot. In 1880 Colonel Whitehouse retired permanently from the woolen business.
Charles Sidney Whitehouse evinced a deep interest in political affairs from his earliest manhood. He was a firm believer in protection to home industries and was an ardent Whig. His first vote, cast when he was 21 years old, was for Zachary Taylor for president. In 1849 he, with others, organized the Rochester Phalanx, a military organization which included in its roster many of the prominent young men of the town and existed until 1856. In 1852 he was the leading spirit in organizing the Tiger Engine Com- pany, of which he was treasurer for many years. In 1854-1855, years in which politics grew to fever heat, he was a potent factor in the political evo- lution which gave rise to the Republican party in New Hampshire and ended the rule of the Democratic party in town and state in 1855. Ralph Metcalf was elected governor, and the subject of this record received appointment as one of his aides, receiving the honorary title of colonel. When the Fremont campaign opened at Wolfboro, September 8, 1856, he, in association with his brother, Freeman Whitehouse, George and Smith Scates and William Beedle organized a glee club. In terms of the present day, their entrance into the campaign was a decided "hit," and instantly their services were sought for all mass meetings, flag raisings and other patriotic gatherings. Many of the songs sung were composed by Colonel Whitehouse. When the time came for the raising of companies for service in the Civil war, he encouraged with earnest speech and money, and during the war he gave aid, advice and care to the families of those patriots who had gone to the front He gave invaluable assistance to the Sanitary Commission, raising money by means of public entertainment to be used for the comfort of those at the front. In 1862 he served as a representative in the New Hampshire Legis- lature, and during 1863 and 1864 was a member of the State Senate. In 1868, combining with the Gonic Fire Engine Company, and the people of the village, he caused to be built the Gonic Hall. which was properly arranged for the giving of public entertainments, shows, etc., being fully equipped with scenery. Well did it serve its purpose until January 6, 1885, when destroyed by fire. There was no public improvement in which he was not interested. In 1858 he enthusiastically lent his efforts toward the erection of a new school in the village, and in 1872 toward the remodeling of the church. He was an
763
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
earnest church worker, serving as superintendent of the Sabbath school, teaching the children to sing, and planning and conducting festivals. His interest being enlisted in any project or movement, he knew no fatigue until success was attained and the object accomplished. In 1872 Colonel White- house was chosen by the Republican party as one of the delegates to the Phila- delphia convention which nominated General Grant for his second term in 1874. In conjunction with I. W. Springfield and a few others, he started the Rochester Town Fair Association, the success of which institution has been made apparent with each succeeding fair since. In 1875 he received the nomi- nation for member of congress after a hard fight, in which he was contested by some eight or ten other influential Republicans. However, he was defeated by the Democratic candidate, Mr. Frank Jones, after a vigorous campaign in which he added many friends. He declined the nomination for that office at the succeeding convention, although victory was certain. In 1882 Colonel Whitehouse was appointed weigher in the Boston custom house, of which Roland Worthington was then collector, and for three years he continued as such. In the meantime he had been appointed by Governor Charles H. Bell as the first state auditor under the new law. He was re-appointed in 1883, and the same year again represented Rochester in the State Legislature. In 1888 he was elected presidential elector and in the electoral college cast his vote for Benjamin Harrison and Levi P. Morton for president and vice-presi- dent, respectively. For several years prior to 1891 the expediency of chang- ing the town to a city organization had been discussed by leading men of Rochester, but no one had appeared to direct the movement or to attempt to crystalize public sentiment in its favor. Colonel Whitehouse took command of the situation and with Henry Kimball, a lawyer of Rochester, formulated a charter, which was approved and passed by the legislature of 1891. In December following he was elected and on January 6, 1892, was inaugurated as the first mayor of the city. In 1893 he was elected councilman, represent- ing the third ward in the council for three years. January 1, 1897. he announced his retirement from all further participation in public affairs.
September 30, 1852, Charles Sidney Whitehouse was joined in marriage with Ellen Frances Foster of Norway, Maine, and they reared two children : Walter Barker Whitehouse, born September 25, 1854, and Alice Atherton, born November 9. 1862. The last named was married to Mr. W. C. Sanborn, by whom she has four children: Alice Louise, whose profession is that of a trained nurse ; Marion F .; Charles Sidney ; and Joseph M. Mrs. Whitehouse, a lady of culture and refinement, resides in Gonic, where she 'is surrounded by friends of long years' standing.
764
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY
HON. NICHOLAS V. WHITEHOUSE,* who passed from this life more than thirty-five years ago, still lives in the memory of the people of Strafford county, New Hampshire, who were living in his time, and of younger generations who have had recounted to them his greatness and his achievements through a long and honorable career. It was the village of Gonic, New Hampshire, which claimed his residence and was the chief seat of his business operations, but the county and state also knew him well and were pleased to honor him. He was born in Gonic, October 22, 1802, and was a son of Israel and Olive (Varney) Whitehouse. His father was born in 1778 and died March 1, 1841, whilst his mother was born in 1775 and died March 10, 1839.
Coming of a family but little blessed with worldly goods, struggling hard to eke out a living, with few pleasures and no luxuries, it is small wonder that Nicholas V. Whitehouse's schooling was but meager. He attended the common school during the winter and summer terms, each of six weeks' dura- tion, until he was twelve years of age, and thereafter only during the winter term, as he was kept busy with such work as he could do for his father and neighboring families. When fifteen years old he learned something of the shoemaking trade from his father in trips among the neighboring farmers, as was the custom in those days. When seventeen years old he left the parental roof, walking to Boston, Mass., a journey which consumed two days' time. Arriving at his destination he found work with a man named Griggs who lived at Brookline, Mass., and continued with him for two years. His remun- eration was ten dollars per month and found. He was a lad who inspired con- fidence, both as to ability and integrity, and it was but a short time until young Whitehouse was intrusted with driving the market wagon to Boston every other morning, there selling the product of the farm. At the end of two years he returned to Gonic, and the following spring went to Salmon Falls, where he was employed in the wheel pit and trenches of a factory then in course of construction. It was heavy work and his constitution, far from rugged, did not stand the strain more than a few weeks. He again returned to Gonic and accepted employment as clerk in the general store of John Plummer. It was the village store conducted in a cheap frame building on what now is the village square. He displayed considerable aptitude for the business, and when 23 years old embarked in the business for himself in a brick store which he had erected. He put in a complete stock of goods, and also fitted up the second story of the building as a residence. This he fur- nished in modest fashion, and on July 31, 1825, did what he often said was "the best day's work of my life," that is, married Susan Place, a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Chesley) Place.
765
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Mr. Whitehouse continued his store some three or four years, when hard times came, finding him with much of his stock disposed of on credit. The result was that creditors took the remainder of his stock. Nothing daunted or discouraged him and we find him setting out with enthusiasm to find something to do in New York. Becoming homesick for his young wife after an absence of three weeks, he returned home. His stability of character stood him in good stead in this hour of need, and a friend, whose good will and confidence he enjoyed, assisted him to get started, and in 1830 he was once more established in trade. He continued until the fall of 1833, when he closed out his business in Gonic and moved to Dover, New Hamp- shire. There he opened a store in the Sawyer Block, a brick building at what was known as "The Landing," but the surroundings being distasteful to him he did not continue the business beyond the following spring, at which time he returned to Gonic. He then proceeded to put life into the village such as it had not yet known. He bought the old saw mill and privilege, together with the grist mill attached, both of which he enlarged and improved. and built an addition for making linseed oil, also an addition for the manu- facture of plow handles and plow beams. He improved the process of flour making, along which line he developed considerable business. He also dealt in wood lots, and manufactured lumber, dealing largely in wood with parties at Dover. He manufactured bricks, ground plaster, and also began wool carding and cloth dressing. Although he did not then realize it, the Ist named industry was destined to become the leading occupation of his life and give him a reputation and prestige by no means local. His mill was esteemed the best equipped in Strafford county, and its reputation having become established it drew from all parts of the county and adjoining counties. He began woolen manufacture in 1838 and carried on the business without interruption until 1848, when his plant was destroyed by fire. The follow- ing year he had a new mill, with four sets of machinery, in successful opera- tion. In 1859. with Parker, Wilder & Co., he helped to organize the present Gonic Manufacturing Company, of which he was made president, agent and manager. He continued to act in these several capacities until 1877, when he withdrew from the company. In the meantime, in 1863, he, in association with John Hall, Samuel B. Rindge of Boston and four others, obtained the charter for the Cocheco Woolen Manufacturing Company at East Rochester, of which concern he was president until his death. His interests were varied and important. In 1856. he was largely instrumental in found- ing the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Rochester, and he also established the Gonic Five Cent Savings Bank. He was one of the original directors
766
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY
of the Nashua and Rochester Railroad and continued on that board up to the time of his death.
Mr. Whitehouse was a man of the broadest vision, an optimist and an enthusiast, one who did not confine his energies to his own private interests, but gave liberally of his time and means to enterprises and organizations whose ultimate aim was the public good. As a young man he took great interest in military affairs, and was always an earnest advocate of citizen soldiery, which has proved our bulwark of defense in time of stress. In 1826 he was made quartermaster of the 39th New Hampshire Regiment, and in 1829 was commissioned captain and adjutant by Governor Benjamin Pierce. He in early manhood began taking a deep interest in the politics of our country, and in time became exceedingly active in his town and state. He was strongly imbued with the ideas of protection to home industries, following closely the views of Henry Clay. In 1837, he took a prominent part in ousting the Democratic party from the control it had held for so many years. He was a Whig. He was elected moderator and representative to the State Legislature, and the following year was re-elected to the latter office. Upon the advent of the Know Nothing Party, he adopted its principles and entered heartily into the campaign of 1855. He was a candidate before the conven- tion for the nomination for member of Congress, but instead was honored with nomination and later election to the governor's council. The following year he was defeated for that office, but again won the election the next year. He served under Governors Ralph Metcalf and William Haile. During the Civil War, he took an important part in raising the town's quota of troops, and gave one hundred dollars to the first twenty men who enlisted in Rochester. His keen perception of political affairs of the time, combined with excellent judgment of men, qualified him as one of the factors in preparing the way for the Republican party. From its very inception to the day of his death, he remained an ardent Republican, believing that in its principles lies safety to the country and prosperity to its people. He was a member of the state constitutional convention, and was not infrequently talked of most favorably for governor.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.