USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 73
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Mr. Whitehouse recognized the influence of church for good in the community, and while he subscribed to no creed was a friend and liberal supporter of all. He was a regular attendant at the Congregational church until 1840, in which year he was instrumental in building the Free Will Baptist church in Gonic. He thereafter attended the latter, and whenever rebuilding or other heavy expense were to be met his subscription was always liberal and among the first given. He carried his religion into his home and business. Considerate and self-sacrificing, he was an ideal man in his family
VALENTINE MATHES
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relationships and friendships. To know him was to love him, and this does not too strongly state the regard the people of Gonic had for him. His death on November 21, 1878, was a distinct shock to the general public, as well as to his devoted family. His widow, to whom he attributed much that was best in his nature and always his loving help-meet, survived him nearly ten years, dying in May, 1888. The following children blessed their union : Elizabeth Ann, Charles Sidney, deceased; Enoch Freeman; Emily J .; Albert M., who died in infancy ; and Arthur D.
VALENTINE MATHES, who is credited with being the largest realty owner in the city of Dover, has been for many years a very active factor in business circles in Strafford County. He was born at Durham, this county, in February, 1847, and is a son of John and Permelia Mathes.
John Mathes, the father of our subject, was engaged during his active period in farming and brick manufacturing, and was a man of business en- terprise and personal integrity. He died at the age of 73 years. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, of whom the present survivors are Valentine, subject of this sketch; John of Portsmouth, N. H .; Benjamin F., of New York; Charles A., of Dover, N. H., and Dorothy C.
Valentine Mathes during his boyhood attended the schools of his native town. His first employment was in railroad work, which he followed for one year, after which he was engaged in freighting on the river for three years. He then embarked in a general store business at Durham, which he conducted for ten years, and during this time was also interested in brick manufactur- ing. While engaged in the latter occupation he saw the need of adequate water transportation and was a prime mover in the organization of the Pas- cataqua Navigation Company, capitalized at $100,000.00, of which he has for some time been one of the directors, his brother, now deceased, having for- merly been its president. This company owns two steamships and twelve barges which were first used for the transportation of brick but are now en- gaged in hauling lumber between various points on the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire.
From Durham Mr. Mathes subsequently came to Dover, this city present- ing a more favorable business field, and here he expanded his activities until his business interests included coal, wood, lumber, grain and groceries. In 1906 he disposed of all his local retail business interests but continued his wholesale lumber interests and since then has given his attention largely to manufacturing lumber, operating and being interested in the manufacture of lumber in Maine and New Hampshire, and owning extensive tracts of timber land. His undertakings, being directed by a keen business sense, backed by ripened judgment and experience, have brought him satisfactory results, and
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he is now one of Stafford County's leading capitalists. During his entire life his attention has been turned to the improvement and upbuilding of Dover, having erected altogether some sixty business blocks and tenement houses, all of which he still holds as investment.
Mr. Mathes married Miss Mary E. Pendexter, of Durham, N. H., and they have five children-John R., Morris Everett, James Monroe, Fannie P. and Margaret J. The three sons are graduates of Dartmouth College. The eldest son, John R., married Lona DeWitt, and has three children-Valentine, De Witt, Thomas DeWitt and Lona Joy. Of the daughters, Fannie P. is a graduate of Bridgewater Normal School, and Margaret J., who was a student for two years at Smith College, is now attending the Sargent School of Physi- cal Training at Cambridge, Mass.
Mr. Mathes and family attend the Congregational church. He is a Re- publican in politics, has served in city offices, was postmaster at Durham for ten years, and member of the legislature two years. For a long time he has been identified with the leading fraternal organizations, belonging to Moses Paul Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Mt. Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., together with the Encampment and Canton; and also to the orders of Red Men, Elks and the local Grange. While his personal interests have absorbed much of his time, he has never neglected to identify himself with public movements prom- ising to benefit his town and section.
HON. WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, a prominent attorney of Dover, N. H., clerk of courts of Strafford County, was born in Rollinsford, N. H., April 20, 1866, only son of Moses and Lydia (Hussey) Roberts. His earliest paternal ancestor in this country was one Thomas Roberts, who came to America from England in 1640, taking up his residence at Dover Point. Many of the latter's descendants settled in this county, among whom was the great- great-grand-uncle of William H., who took up a tract of timbered land in the town of Rollinsford, and there cleared and improved a homestead, upon which resides Moses Roberts, who belongs to the fourth generation of the family.
William H. Roberts began his education in the district schools of his native town, at the age of fifteen years becoming a pupil of the Salmon Falls High School. Entering Berwick Academy two years later, he graduated therefrom in 1886. He then engaged in the study of law under the mentor- ship of Hon. Joshua G. Hall, of Dover, in whose office he remained for two years. His legal studies were finished in the Boston University Law School, where he graduated in the Class of 1890. Admitted to the bar in July of the same year, he began the practice of his profession in Dover, of which city he has since remained a resident. He is a Director in the Merchants' Na- tional Bank and Trustee of the Merchants' Savings Bank.
Mr. Roberts has always taken a strong interest in local affairs and at times
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has been more or less active in politics. In 1893 he was elected to the legis- lature from his native town and was made a member of the important Com- mittee on Revision of Statutes. In the following year he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for solicitor of Strafford County, and although de- feated in the following election -- the district being a Republican stronghold- he ran ahead of his ticket, receiving many Republican votes. He was appointed clerk of courts of Strafford County in 1904. Mr. Roberts is a 32d degree Mason and belongs to the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His residence is at No. 125 Silver Street, Dover. Few of Dover's citizens enjoy a more wide- spread popularity.
MAURICE N. LAYN, street commissioner of the city of Dover, is well known all over Strafford county, for many years having been active both in business and public affairs. He was born at Lee, N. H., September 26, 1865, and is a son of Samuel W. and Susan (Durgin) Layn.
Samuel W. Layn, father of Maurice N., was a son of Samuel Layn, and both were born at Lee, N. H. Samuel W. Layn is still a resident there, being now in his 82d year. He has been a very prominent man in his day, in 1872 and again in 1873, serving in the New Hampshire legislature, being elected to that body on the Democratic ticket. He married Susan Durgin, who was born at Nottingham, N. H.
Maurice N. Layn attended the public schools of his native place, Frank- lin Academy at Dover, and Northwood Seminary, at Northwood, N. H. For 14 years he conducted a general store and meat business at Lee, in ad- dition to paying attention to farming and lumbering. He was also engaged for some time in contract work for the Boston & Maine Railroad. His con- tracting business expanded and he subsequently constructed miles of state roads. For several years before coming to Dover, in 1906, he was a meni- ber of the school board at Lee. In Mr. Layn Dover has secured a capable street commissioner, he entering upon his duties on January 1, 1914.
Mr. Layn was united in marriage with Miss Annie B. Harvey, of Not- tingham, N. H., a daughter of Daniel O. and Elizabeth N. Harvey, the for- mer of whom is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Layn have two children: Lois E. and Mark H. Mr. Layn belongs to Sullivan Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Durham, N. H., and to the U. R. K. P., at Dover. In his political views he is independent.
ALBERT DODGE JONES, attorney at law, with offices in the Dodge Building, Rochester, N. H., is additionally interested in real estate and, as a public official, is serving in the office of auditor of Strafford County. He was born in Dodge's Hotel, on the present site of the Dodge Building, Rochester,
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N. H., June 28, 1875, and is a son of Frank H. and Martha A. (Dodge ) Jones.
Frank H. Jones was born February 1, 1846, at North Hatfield, Mass. He was an employe of the United States Custom Office at Boston, and so con- tinued until his death, which occurred July 11, 1885, when he was 39 years old. He was married at Rochester, N. H., to Martha A. Dodge, a daughter of Jonathan T. and Sarah Dodge, an old New Hampshire family, and they had two children -- Charles T., born May 11, 1884, who died August 12, 1884, at the age of three months, and Albert D., the subject of this sketch.
Albert D. Jones, after graduating from the Rochester high school in 1894 entered Dartmouth College, where he was graduated in 1898. In college he was a member of Psi Upsilon and also the Sphinx Senior Society. He then studied law in the office of Daniel Hall, Elmer J. Smart and William Wright, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1905, immediately entering into prac- tice at Rochester. He is engaged in general law practice, including probate court work, and is recognized as an able and honorable attorney and counsel- lor
Mr. Jones was united in marriage September 21, 1898, with Miss Sarah A. Warren, the only daughter of Joseph and Addie G. Warren, and they have one son, Warren Dodge, who was born October 16, 1899 and is now a student in the Rochester high school. Mr. Jones and his family attend the Congre- gational church. He is a 32d degree Mason and affiliates politically with the Republican party but he has always kept aloof from political activity, attending strictly to his large business interests.
HON. CHARLES HENRY SAWYER, formerly for many years one of Dover's leading citizens, a successful manufacturer and business man, and one time governor of the state, was born in Watertown, N. Y., March 30, 1840, eldest son of Jonathan and Martha (Perkins) Sawyer. His ancestors on both sides were among the early settlers of Massachusetts. He attended the schools of Watertown until he was ten years of age, when the family re- moved to Dover, and he completed his education in this city. At the age of seventeen he entered the Sawyer Woolen Mills, the plant then being engaged in the manufacture of flannels. By the time he was twenty-six he had ac- quired a thorough knowledge of the business and was then appointed super- intendent of the mills. In 1881 he became president of the company, and the general management of the mills remained in his hands subsequently until 1898. His business career was concerned with many other interests than that above mentioned. He was a director in the Strafford National Bank, a trustee and vice-president of the Strafford Savings Bank, and a director of the Dover Gas Light Company. At one time or another he also held the posi- tions of president of the Dover Horse Railroad Company, director and ex-
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ecutive member of the Granite State Insurance Company, president of the Elliott Bridge Company, and director in the Dover & Portsmouth, in the Portsmouth, Gt. Falls & Conway, and in the Wolfboro Branch Railroads.
An ardent Republican, he worked hard for the success of his party and on various occasions was elected to public office. He served in both branches of the city council of Dover, was representative to the legislature in 1869, 1870, 1876 and 1877, a member of the staff of Governor Charles H. Bell in 1881, and a delegate to the national Republican convention in Chicago in 1884. In 1886 he was elected governor of New Hampshire, which office he administered with ability and fidelity to the public interests. While governor he represented the state in many centennial celebrations that were held dur- ing that period, notably at Philadelphia on the occasion of the 100th anni- versary of the promulgation of the Constitution of the United States, and that in New York of the inauguration of President Washington. Mr. Sawyer was a Mason, was twice chosen master of his lodge, and for many years was the eminent commander of the St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar. His death, which took place January 18, 1908, removed from early scenes one of New Hampshire's foremost men, who had done much to foster her business and industrial interests and keep her abreast of her sis- ter states in those things that make for the public weal.
Mr. Sawyer was married February 8, 1865, to Susan Ellen, daughter of Dr. James W. and Elizabeth Cowan, of Dover. Their children: William Davis, who married Susan Gertrude, daughter of Hon. Joshua G. Hall, of Dover; Charles Francis, who married Gertrude Child, daughter of Hon. Henry W. Severance of San Francisco; James Cowan, who married Mary Pepperell, daughter of Judge George Seward Frost of Dover; Edward, who married Leslie, daughter of the late Phineas Sprague Tobey of Boston, and Elizabeth Coffin Sawyer. The last mentioned, Elizabeth, resides at No. 90 Stark Avenue, Dover. She represents the Sawyer family in the fine farm known as the Sawyer farm, of which W. D. F. Hayden is manager. The Middlebrook farm at Dover is one of the finest pieces of agricultural prop- erty in the state. It holds diplomas (for third position) gained at the Na- tional Dairy Show, held at Chicago in 1910 and again in 1911, and at the International Dairy Show, at Milwaukee, in 1911, in the certified milk class.
Mrs. Charles H. Sawyer died April 20, 1899. She was a lady of culture and refinement and her loss was deeply felt by scores of admiring friends.
JAMES A. GRIMES, one of Dover's well known retired citizens, who has occupied his present residence at No. 22 Broadway for the past forty years, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in August, 1826. His parents
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were Robert and Ann (Donnely) Grimes and they came to the United States with their three children, two sons and one daughter.
Robert Grimes served almost through the entire Civil war, entering Company I, roth N. H. Volunteer Infantry, and participated in a number of important battles, including Antietam and Fredericksburg. He returned then to Dover, where he had previously established the family home and sub- sequently died there. One of his sons, Frank Grimes, was also a soldier in the Civil war and is now deceased. The mother of James A. Grimes died when he was young.
James A. Grimes grew to man's estate in Dover and here attended school until old enough to learn the shoemaking trade, which, he subsequently fol- lowed at Barrington and other places. For a number of years, although not continuously, he was employed in the print works of the Cocheco Manufac- turing Company, at Dover, and for some twenty years was in a general team- ing business for himself. In 1878 Mr. Grimes embarked in the grocery business on Third street, Dover, later removing to Nos. 495-496 Central ave- nue, where he continued until within recent years.
Mr. Grimes married Miss Bridget Grimes, a native like himself of County Armagh, Ireland, and of their seven children five are living-Robert, of Dover; Catherine, wife of Thomas McKone, of Dover ; James H., of Dover; Mary, wife of John Rogers, of Dover, and Frank E., also of Dover. John and Lizzie B. are both deceased. The mother of the above family died in April, 1913, her memory being tenderly cherished by those left behind. Mr. Grimes has been a valuable citizen, ever ready to do his full share in bear- ing responsibilities and he is held in respect and esteem. He served four terms as a member of the city council, representing the Second Ward. He was also vice president of the local branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for a number of years and treasurer ; was first assistant and captain of Tiger Engine Fire Company No. 2. With his family he belongs to St. Mary's Ro- man Catholic church.
JOHN S. KIMBALL, "The Village Postmaster" at Rochester, N. H., was born Dec. 29, 1859, in the town of Alton, N. H., and the son of Joseph P. and Lucy M. (Freeman) Kimball, both of whom died in 1863, within a few weeks of each other, leaving three sons, Charles N., Arthur Dorman, and John Sinclair, the subject of this sketch.
The three fatherless and motherless boys, Arthur D., eight months old, John S., three years, and Charles N., six years, were adopted into the family of Dr. Nathaniel Dorman of Alton, N. H., who in March, 1867 moved to Rochester, N. H., in order to secure better educational advantages for his
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three wards, and to retire from active practice. The two brothers, Charles N. and the Rev. Arthur Dorman Kimball, died in 1885.
John S. Kimball, after completing the public school course, entered the employ of the Messrs. E. G. & E. Wallace, shoe manufacturers, and served in various capacities, the last being shipping clerk. In August, 1885, he re- ceived the appointment of assistant postmaster under the late Charles W. Howe, P. M., during President Cleveland's first administration, and was retained successively by Postmasters John Greenfield, Charles W. Bickford, and Osmon B. Warren, succeeding postmaster Warren at his death, Jan. 25, 1908, as postmaster, making a long period of continuous service to his credit, an evidence of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, irrespective of party politics, and his eminent fitness for the position. In national politics he is a Republican, though the Civil Service rules prevented any political activity.
Mr. Kimball is an attendant of the First Congregational church. He is a 32d degree Mason, and Past Master of Humane Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M., of Rochester, N. H., Past Patron of James Farrington Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and is active in all the Masonic bodies. He joined Motolina Lodge, No. 18, I. O. O. F., in 1880, having been a member for 34 years, and is Past Noble Grand of that body, also an honored member of the Patrons of Husbandry, having taken the State and National degrees. Mr. Kimball was married Nov. 27, 1882, to Lydia Flora Allen, by the Rev. Ezekiel True, pastor of the Free Baptist Church. She died Oct. 25, 1899, after a long illness. In his long career in public life and fraternal circles, he has made a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and may be well classed amongst our list of self made men.
JOHN H. NEALLEY, one of Dover's most enterprising business men, prosperously engaged in the dry goods business, who has also served well in public office, was born August 4, 1853, in South Berwick, Me., the son of Benjamin Mason and Abbie ( Pray) Nealley. Acquiring his elementary edu- cation in the public schools of Biddeford, he subsequently attended Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Portland, Me, where he prepared for a business career. After working for two years as clerk in a wholesale and retail grocery and grain store in Saco, Me., he came in 1871 to Dover, where he found employment in the dry goods establishment of his brother, the Hon. B. F. Nealley, for whom he clerked several years. In 1893 he purchased the entire business from his brother, and has since been proprietor of the store in which he was formerly an employee. The establishment is one of the most extensive of its kind in this part of the state and includes a com-
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plete stock of dry goods and fancy goods, together with the latest novelties in this line. By enterprise and honorable business methods, Mr. Nealley has built up a large and lucrative trade both in Dover and in many of the sur- rounding towns.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Nealley has been often solicited to accept responsible positions in the town or county government, but has generally de- clined because of the engrossing demands of his business. He served, however, as representative in the State legislature in 1889 and 1890 as representative from Ward three. He is a member of Strafford Lodge, F. & A. M., of Dover; St. Paul's Commandery, K. T., having held office in the last named body for thirty years, and of the order of Elks of this city.
Mr. Nealley was married September 12, 1877, to Miss Emma C. Cushing, a daughter of the late Thomas H. Cushing, of Dover. He attends the First Parish Congregational Church, of which his wife is a member. Their resi- dence is at No. 230 Washington Street.
RALPH A. WARREN*, superintendent of the Rochester Lumber Com- pany, located at No. 37 Autumn Street, was born in Chichester, N. H., in 1877, a son of Charles A. and Mary L. (Marston) Warren. His father, a native of the same place and a shoemaker by trade, died at the age of fifty- seven. He and his wife were the parents of two children, Arthur C. and Ralph A.
Ralph A. Warren after completing his schooling entered the lumber busi- ness as an employee of ex-governor Tuttle. He then went to Exeter, N. H., where he conducted a retail lumber business until 1909, when he came to Rochester to assume the duties of his present position. In politics he is a Republican, while his fraternal affiliations are with the I. O. O. F. He married Winifred Davis, of Pittsfield and they have two children-Ruth and Eugene. Mr. Warren has made many friends since coming to Rochester and his popularity is well deserved.
ERNEST DUVAL, M. D. Among the men who have contributed worthily to the development of Rochester along various lines should be mentioned the late Dr. Ernest Duval, a man of various gifts and talents, united with an un- selfish disposition that made him an active and useful citizen and a marked philanthropist. He was born at St. Jean, Port Joli, Canada, and died at Rochester, N. H., November 23, 1912. His father was Louis A. Duval, and his mother, a woman of superior and scholastic attainments, belonged to a French-Canadian family by the name of Veireau. There were six children born to them-Salute. Arthur, Hospice, Anetha Eunice, Alice and Ernest, of
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whom Ernest, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest. Both parents were attorneys at law.
Ernest Duval was liberally educated, attending school at Montreal, Lavalle University and the University of Quebec, completing his medical course in the latter institution. For one year he practiced his profession in Canada, subsequently coming to the United States. A couple of years later, owing to the passage of a law regulating medical practice, he was obliged to take an examination, which he passed successfully. In 1887 he came to Rochester, which place was his home until the end of his life. He became so well and favorably known to his profession that he was frequently called in consultation to various parts of this state and also to Canada. His chari- ties were manifold, but cannot be definitely mentioned, as no one but him- self knew of their extent. A broad minded citizen, he entered into public life from a sense of duty and served faithfully and efficiently in numerous offices of responsibility. He was a valued member of many medical organi- zations, both in Canada and the States, and his name became well known in connection with scientific investigations. A lifelong member of the Catholic church, for 25 years he gave freely of his great gift of music, serving as organist with no thought of remuneration.
In 1898 Dr. Duval was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Fortier, who was born in Rochester, N. H., a daughter of Appolinare and Sylvia (Bisson) Fortier. Both her parents were natives of Canada and both are . now deceased. Their children were six in number-Ovide, Peter, Delvina, Sadie, Mary C. and Jane. Mrs. Duval resides in Rochester and has many close friends among the best society of the city and town.
FRANK E. BRIGHAM, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Salmon Falls since 1883, was born at Fitchburg, Mass., Sept. 25, 1845, and is a son of Dr. Hamilton H. Brigham, and a grandson of Dr. Henry Brigham. Both father and grandfather were natives of Fitch- burg, the family being of English extraction and somewhat noted for lon- gevity, the grandfather living to the age of 100 years and the father dying in his 98th year.
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