History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 77

Author: Scales, John, 1835-1928
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 988

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Mr. Springfield married Miss Carrie E. Hall, a native of Rochester, and they have three children: W. Eugene, Jennie E. and Grace M. Mr. Spring- field has additional interests and is identified with the Rochester Loan and Banking Company. Politically he is a Democat and formerly for three years was a member of the city council. He belongs to the Odd Fellows at Roch- ester. With such important personal affairs to interest him, Mr. Spring- field finds little leisure but he is never too busy to fail to assist a neighbor or perform some public service for the general welfare.

CHARLES D. FOX, a successful business man of Milton Mills, New Hampshire, is engaged in the undertaking business. He comes of a well known family of this vicinity, where for several generations it has been active in business and civic affairs. Mr. Fox was born in Milton Mills, March 6, 1856, and is a son of Asa A. and Hannah (Howe) Fox, and a grandson of Asa Fox.

Asa Fox, the grandfather, was born in Acton, Maine, and early in his career moved across the line to Milton Mills, New Hampshire. He estab- lished a general store which was conducted with much success for a period of over fifty years, the firm name being Asa Fox & Son, a son Elbridge W. being the partner. After the death of Asa Fox, the son continued the business until he in turn died, when a third generation of the family succeeded to it, namely, Everett F. Fox, a son of Elbridge, who discontinued it after a time. Asa Fox married Harriet W. Wood of Sharpleigh, Maine, and they became parents of three children, one of whom died of typhoid fever at the age of eighteen years. The two who grew to maturity were Elbridge W. and Asa A. The former was a Republican and served in all of the town offices, also as state senator. The death of Elbridge W. Fox occurred in his seventy-seventh year, and his burial was in the Milton Mills Cemetery. He was a leading member of the Congregational church, and for many years was superinten- dent of the Sunday school.

Asa A. Fox, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Milton Mills, where his schooling was acquired in the public schools. After his marriage he worked in and was a foreman in the rebuilding of the Pemberton Mill, and

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for a time worked at carpentering. He became interested in the manufacture ot sail clothing, in connection with which he conducted a general store busi- ness. He finally closed out that enterprise to start up in undertaking, in which line he built up a lucrative business. He was succeeded in the man- agement of the business in April, 1913, by his son, Charles D. Fox, and the business has been continued with the same success it previously enjoyed. The patronage of this firm extends over a radius of fifteen miles, including Wakefield, Milton, Brookfield, Lebanon, Acton and Newfield. They manu- facture caskets to a limited extent, and carry a complete stock of caskets and robes. Asa A. Fox married Hannah Howe, who was born in Newfield, Maine, and was next to the youngest of eight children. Her father, Sam- uel Howe, died at Newfield, Maine. This marriage was blessed with but two children : Etta, who died at the age of two years and was buried at Milton Mills; and Charles D.

Charles D. Fox was educated in the New Hampshire schools, after which he was a traveling salesman for several years. He married Hattie M. Fox, daughter of Alfred and Elvira Fox of Acton, Maine. They have an accomplished daughter, Edwina, who attended the Nasson Institute and for the past two years has been an instructor in the schools. She also is a graduate of the Nute High School at Milton. Mr. Fox is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, also of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed through all the chairs. He was formerly president of the New Hampshire Licensed Embalmers Association. In national politics, he is a Republican.

HON. ALONZO TAYLOR PINKHAM, deceased, passed out of life while serving in the highest municipal office to which his admiring fellow citi- zens of Dover could elect him. He was a man of unblemished character, both in private and public life, and on many occasions had been honored with tokens of public confidence and esteem. He had served as a member of the state legislature, as city treasurer and as county treasurer, and at the time of death, on August 22, 1906, was mayor of Dover. He was born at Madbury. Straf- ford county, N. H., and had academic advantages there and at Dover, and afterward took a course in the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York.

After completing his education he chose the drug business as his line of work and when he came to Dover he entered into partnership with Dr. Lothrop, under the firm style of Lothrop & Pinkham. The business is continued under the same name, Mrs. Pinkham retaining her husband's interest and having a manager. This drug business is one of the oldest in Dover and to its exten-

ALONZO T. PINKHAM

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sion, solidity and usefulness, Mr. Pinkham devoted himself closely. He was, however, a man of such strength of character and practical efficiency that public demands were made on his time and many honors tendered him. He belonged to many benevolent organizations and headed public movements, a case in point being the Dover Hospital, in which he was greately interested. He had promised to dedicate the same when completed but did not live to fulfil his word. In large measure he was a self-made man.

Mr. Pinkham was married to Miss Elizabeth Frye, a daughter of James N. and Elizabeth (Burroughs) Frye, an old family of Dover. Her father was a shoe merchant of Dover. Mr. Pinkham attended the Universalist church. He was a man of social inclinations and belonged to the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and in his death each fraternity felt the loss of a valued member.

PAUL HURLBURT, attorney at law and a member of the law firm of Jackson & Hurlburt, at Rochester, with offices at No. 8 Hanson street, comes naturally by his legal ability, his father, a man of public distinction and once attorney general of Massachusetts, being a prominent member of the Boston bar. Paul Hurlburt was born at Lynn, Mass., in 1889, and is a son of Henry F. and Fannie (Thompson) Hurlburt, natives of Massa- chusetts and parents of six children.

Paul Hurlburt enjoyed rather exceptional educational advantages, attend- ing first the Lynn schools, later St. Paul's Boys' School at Concord, afterward Princeton University and subsequently the Boston University Law School. After graduating he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar and nine months later to the bar of New Hampshire. He chose Rochester as his field of prac- tice and entered into his present partnership. He takes a hearty interest in public matters and gives his political support to the Democratic party.

Mr. Hurlburt married Miss Ethel MacMillan, of Brookline, Mass., and they have one daughter, Paula, who has celebrated her first birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt have many pleasant social connections in Boston, Brook- line and Rochester.

FRANK E. MARTIN, who is a substantial and well known resident of Somersworth, where he has been engaged in general farming for more than a quarter of a century, owns 150 acres of land. a part of which is cov- ered with a valuable timber growth. He was born in the province of St. Anne, Pocatiare, Canada, November 17. 1852, and is a son of Ferdinand and Angelina Martin, who were natives of that place.

In the neighborhood in which he was born, Frank E. Martin attended school and remained until he was 18 years of age. Being ambitious and

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enterprising but largely dependent upon his own efforts, he then left home and entered the United States, remaining in the state of New York for a short time and then going to Manchester, N. H., where, for about 15 years he was a wood chopper. Circumstances led him to visit Butte, Montana, where he was interested for a time and then returned to Manchester but later went back to Montana and remained for one year. Mr. Martin has vivid recollections of the comparatively uncivilized state of society in the Mountain state at that time and when he felt ready to settle permanently, he chose to establish his home among the peaceful hills of old New Hampshire and in 1887 purchased his farm in the town of Somersworth.

Mr. Martin was married in November, 1887, to Miss Mary L. Martin, who was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, and is a daughter of Henry and Frances Martin. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, the survivors being: Mary L., who is the wife of Arthur L. Douglas, and they have had two sons, Arthur L., deceased, and Laurence M .; and Adolph J. Frederick A., Wilfred J. and Annie M. Mr. Martin and family are members of St. Martin's Roman Catholic church at Somersworth. He takes no decided interest in politics but votes with the Democratic party and in all local matters may be counted on to do his full duty as a citizen.

ARTHUR H. WIGGIN, who is engaged in the practice of law at Farm- ington, was born November 30, 1865, at Ossipee, Carroll county, N. H., and is a son of Charles F. and Arvilla (Beachman) Wiggin. The father was also a native of Ossipee and spent his life there. The mother was born at Wolfboro and died at Farmington, N. H. Arthur H. was the younger born of their two sons, George A., the elder being now a resident of Westboro, Mass.

From the public school Arthur H. Wiggin entered Wolfboro academy and later the New Hampton Literary Institute, after which he began the study of law in the office of his uncle, George Edwin Beacham, at Somersworth, N. H. In 1889 he was admitted to the bar, in September of the same year opening his law office at Farmington. With the exception of two years he has been in continuous practice here ever since, and on July 1, 1913, was appointed judge of the District Court of Farmington.

In 1893 Judge Wiggin was married to Miss Harriet Bradeen, who was born in February, 1873, the elder of two children born to her parents, William H. and Sarah F. Bradeen, of Waterboro, Me. One daughter was born to this marriage, Esther Beatrice, who lived but six years. Judge Wiggin and wife attend the Baptist church. His political identification is with the Republican party. As a citizen of public spirit Judge Wiggin has not been unmindful of the general welfare and for twelve years accepted the responsibilities of

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membership on the board of education, during eight years of the time being chairman of the board. He is a Mason, being senior warden of Fraternal Lodge No. 71 at Farmington, and belongs also to Harmony Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and to Woodbine Lodge of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Wiggin is a member of the Order of Rebekah.

REV. FABIEN GEDEON DESHAIES, pastor of St. Charles Catholic Church, Dover, N. H., was born September 27, 1863, at St. Damien, Berthier County, Province of Quebec, Canada, one of the 13 children of Augustin Deshaies and Marine Gareau. He made his first course of study at Joliette Seminary and was subsequently ordained priest by Archbishop Fabre at Montreal, February 14, 1892. On October 22, 1893, he was stationed at Somersworth, N. H., where he served as assistant priest for eight years under the Rev. C. Demmers. On February 14, 1902, he was appointed pastor of the Holy Angels Church at Westville, N. H., and remained there for a period of five years, after which he was transferred to the St. Joseph Church at Epping, N. H., 29th of April, 1907. From August, 1908, to January, 1911, he was obliged to take a vacation on account of ill health. He was next, on January 29th, 1911, appointed to his present charge as pastor of St. Charles Church, Dover, N. H.

St. Charles parishi was founded by Rev. J. J. Richard. The first Mass was celebrated in the Lowell Hall (now Lyric Hall), November 11, 1893, 235 people being present, besides children. On the Ist of May, 1896, Father Richard began the construction of the present church, the contract for the building being $9.400.00. The total cost, with pipe organ, vestments, etc., was about $20,000.00. The first Mass in the present church was celebrated November 8, 1896. The attendance is now, besides children, 700. Beginning with 124 families, it has increased to 300 families. The school, built in 1901, opened with 212 pupils and six sisters; it has now 361 pupils, and ten sisters of Presentation, all being under Father Deshaies' supervision.

E. J. YORK, an extensive dealer in lumber, grain and coal, at Dover, with office at No. 121 Washington street, yard on Locust street and grain elevator on Folsom street, was born at Greenland, N. H., in 1858. His parents were Jeremiah and Evaline (Bennett) York. His father was a resident of Dover for fifty years and during his active life followed farming.

E. J. York was one of a family of five children born to his parents and is largely a self made man. After his school period, which included several terms at Franklin Academy in Dover, he went to the New Hampton Institute, and was subsequently engaged in farming in Strafford County until about

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1893, when he started his present business in Dover. Beginning with one horse and delivering his own commodities, he now has twenty-eight men on his payroll and keeps a number of teams in continual use. Thrift and good judgment have marked his undertakings and under such conditions success is not unusual. Mr. York is credited with being the largest dealer in his line in New Hampshire.

Mr. York married Miss Addie Wenell, of Dover, and they have two children, Grace and Charles. In politics he is a Republican. He is a thirty- second degree Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, and belongs also to the Grange.

ROBERT A. PARRY,* who is manager of the Gonic, N. H., brick plant of the Boston Brick Company, and part inventor of the new coal system of burning brick, is well known in the brick manufacturing industry, with which he has been identified since youth. He was born at Cambridge, Mass., June II, 1865, and is a son of C. E. and Susan ( Porter ) Parry.

C. E. Parry, who was long connected with brick manufacturing, was a native of Canada. He died at Cambridge, Mass., in 1878, at the age of 49 years. He married Susan Porter, who passed away in 1891, when aged 66 years, the mother of five sons.

After his school days were ended, Robert A. Parry went into the brick manufacturing business with his father and has since continued in it. The Boston Brick Company has its main offices at Boston, Mass., with branch offices at Somersworth and at Gonic. The latter place is the site of the plant started in 1902, located one mile south of Gonic, the company purchasing 150 acres and leasing an additional 100 acres. The product is sandstruck, waterstruck and Harvard brick and employment is afforded 110 men. The officers of the Boston Brick Company are : George A. Parry, treasurer ; J. O. Bennett, who is manager of the Chelsea yard; and Richard H. and Robert A. Parry. The Parry Brick Company is the sales company of the Boston Brick Company and its officers are : G. A., R. H. and R. A. Parry, Robert A. being manager from Lowell to Portland. The Parry Brick Company owns the large part of the Boston Brick Company and manufactures all special shapes of brick. The Parry Brick Company sold and supplied brick for the Great Falls construction, nearly 4,000,000 brick being used in building that manufacturing plant; the Dover Storage plant, of Pacific Mills and the Laconia Car Builders' works, and is just completing the delivery of 4,000,000 brick for the new freshman dormitory at Harvard College. The Boston Brick Company own the coal system of burning brick, which was invented

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by Robert A. Parry and J. Q. Bennett, which system has proved cheaper and productive of better results than any former method.

Mr. Parry was married November 13, 1889, to Miss Maria G. McGlear. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally a Mason. No name in business circles is held in higher regard in New England than is that of Parry and it is perpetuated in the present generation by two sons of Mr. Parry, Robert E., who was born April 3, 1891, and is a member of the present senior class of Harvard College; and John E., who was born January 28, 1894, and is em- ployed in the shipping office of the Boston Brick Company, at Somersworth, N. H.

WILLIAM L. MCELWAIN,* who fills the responsible position of boss dyer for the Gonic Manufacturing Company, of Gonic, N. H., is an experi- enced man in this line of mill work, having been identified with the industry since early manhood. He was born November 11, 1869, at Somersworth, N. H., and is a son of George B. and Marian (Lee) McElwain.

George B. McElwain was born in Ireland. His parents being Joseph and Charlotte (Lenox) McElwain, in the direct line of Robert Bruce of Scot- land and the De Vaux family of France, and was 20 years old when he came to the United States and located at Somersworth, N. H., where he lived for 23 years. For 24 years he was boss dyer of the Great Falls Woolen Com- pany and then moved to Gonic, here becoming boss dyer of the Gonic Manu- facturing Company, after 20 years resigning on account of ill health and being succeeded by his son, William L. McElwain. He now lives retired at Gonic. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and is a charter member of the Masonic lodge at Dover. He married Marian Lee, still living, who is a daughter of William Lee, a native of England and a stone cutter by trade, who came to America and lived first at Boston, Mass., and later at Somers- worth, N. H.

William L. McElwain attended school at Somersworth and then spent 18 months learning the trade of a jeweler. Opportunity then being given him to enter the dye house of the Great Falls Woolen Manufacturing Company, he spent one year there and in the Sawyer Mill, and then worked for two years in a mill at Gonic. Mr. McElwain was then called to North Berwick, Me., and for 17 years was boss dyer for the North Berwick Woolen Com- pany, coming from there in 1908 to succeed his father as boss dyer with the Gonic people. Mr. McElwain is one of the representative citizens of Gonic, an honorable, reputable and reliable business man.

Mr. McElwain was married to Miss Mary A. Varney, a daughter of the late Philander and Laura (Ricker) Varney, of Gonic. They have two chil-

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dren : Helena Vance and Rhona Ames, both of whom are attending school. Mr. McElwain is an advanced Mason, belonging to the Commandery and to Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Republican and is serving as a member of the city council, representing the Third Ward. The family residence is on Church street, Gonic.

NATT BROWN, head designer for the American Woolen Company at Sawyer Mills, Dover, has been so identified with this plant for the past 42 years. He was born at Barrington, N. H., a son of Andrew H. and Catherine S. (Smith) Brown.

Andrew H. Brown was born at Barrington, N. H., and lived in Straf- ford county for many years, moving to Dover about 1871. His father, John Brown spent the greater part of his life as a farmer near Barrington, the family being one of the old and stable ones of Stafford county. Andrew H. Brown served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, participat- ing in numerous battles, and after his return engaged in farming until he accepted a position in the Sawyer Mills, which he still fills.

Natt Brown was about twelve years old when his parents came to Dover and here he was reared and attended school and when fifteen years old became an employe of the Sawyer Mills. Here he has passed from one department to another and thoroughly understands every detail of manufacturing. A period of 42 years is a long one to hold, in face of competition, so important an office as head designer and the fact proves Mr. Brown's thorough qualifi- cations. In politics he is a Republican but public office has never had an attraction for him. He is interested in several of the leading fraternal organizations, including the Masons and the Improved Order of Red Men.

Mr. Brown was married first to Miss Ella M. Hussey, of Dover and they had three sons : Charles H., who is assistant designer for the American Woolen Mills at Dover; Arthur R., superintendent of the Metcalf Bros.' Wanscott Mill, at Providence, R. I .; and Leroy H., advertising agent for the Simplex Heating Company at Cambridge, Mass. Mr. Brown's second mar- riage was to Phebe J. Haley of Dover. Mr. Brown and family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOSEPH E. PEASLEE, late a well known and prominent citizen of Dover, N. H., was born February 25, 1842, in the famous Garrison House, on the Garrison road, this county, a son of Joseph T. and Elsie (Drew) Peaslee. His father, Joseph T., and his grandfather, Nicholas Peaslee were both natives of Dover, in which town the great grandfather, Amos, settled at an early date. The last mentioned was the son of Robert Peaslee,

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of Haverhill, Mass. Amos was a prominent citizen of Dover in his day, residing on the farm on which our subject now lives. He was the owner of a large tract of land.

Joseph T. Peaslee was a lifelong resident of Dover, as was also his father Nicholas. He was known as Captain Peaslee, which rank he held in the militia, and he also served one or more terms in the legislature, being elected as a Republican. By his wife Elsie he was the father of five children, of whom three are still living, namely: Joseph E., the subject of this sketch; Martha A., a resident of Dover, N. H., and John T., who also resides in this city.

Joseph E. Peaslee was reared in Dover, acquiring his education in the public schools and, subsequently, in the broader school of life. He was a Civil war veteran, having enlisted in August, 1862, in the U. S. navy. He was engaged for a year in blockade duty on the coast of Florida and, sub- sequently receiving an honorable discharge, returned to Dover, where he resided until his death, November 14, 1913. He was a member of the G. A. R. post here-C. W. Sawyer Post, No. 17, and belonged also to the Grange at Durham. In politics he was a Republican. As a public- spirited citizen he was widely known and respected.

LOUIS M. RICHARDSON, one of the most competent men in the employ of the Gonic Manufacturing Company, at Gonic, N. H., where he is foreman of the weaving department and electrician, was born in the city of Rochester, N. H., April 18, 1860, and is a son of Jeremiah D. and Mary (Hopkinson) Richardson.

Jeremiah D. Richardson was born in 1809 and died in 1885. He was a son of Thomas Richardson and a grandson of Benjamin Richardson, the family being one of age and standing in New Hampshire. Jeremiah D. Richardson married Mary Hopkinson, who was born in 1822 and died in 1909. She was the eldest of a family of eleven children born to her parents, who were Moses and Elizabeth Hopkinson.

Louis M. Richardson was reared and educated at Rochester and Tilton Seminary, graduating from that institution in the class of 1878. He spent the following year in Massachusetts but on June 29, 1879, came to the East Rochester mill and remained at work in East Rochester until May, 1880, when he entered the employ of the Gonic Manufacturing Company, being engaged by S. C. Meader, the agent. Mr. Richardson proved a faithful work- man, learning the intricacies of all the machines and becoming expert in operating them, advancing step by step until he has reached a very respon- sible place in this great industrial plant. He has had entire charge, also, of

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the electrical department since the introduction of electricity, in August, 1892. Mr. Richardson has 84 employes, under his personal direction, and been employed at this factory 34 years.

Mr. Richardson was united in marriage with Miss Lillian M. Rust April 16, 1887, and they have had three children : Lucia M., a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College and a talented young lady, who is a teacher of mathematics in the public schools of Plymouth, Mass .; Jeremiah Edward, who died at the age of seven years; and Louisa M., who attends the Gonic school. Mr. Richardson is a public-spirited and earnest citizen, ever ready to lend his influence to advance useful public movements and to contribute to worthy charities. In his political views he is a Republican and is a prominent party man, serving as a member of important committees and being clerk of his ward organization. In Masonry he is a "Shriner" and belongs to the lodge, Chapter Council and Commandery at Rochester, being a past official of the lodge and chapter, and present eminent commander of the commandery. The family attend the Church Society of Friends.

REV. HORMISDAS TETREAU, pastor of St. Leo's Roman Catholic Church at Gonic, N. H., came to his present charge October 9, 1913, from Nashua, N. H. He was born in the historic old town of St. Charles, Canada, May 15, 1876, and was early dedicated to the church. His education was accordingly directed along this line and for eight years he attended St. Hyacinthe College, was afterward a student for three years at Grand Semi- nary, Montreal, Canada, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1904. After spending eight months in connection with the hospital at Farn- ham, Canada, he became chaplain of St. Peter's Orphanage, at Manchester, N. H., where he remained for almost four years.

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History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 77

Author: Scales, John, 1835-1928 Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Number of Pages: 988

Author: Scales, John, 1835-1928
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 988