USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 87
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Howard M. Roberts attended the Dover schools and remained at home,
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assisting on the farm, until he was eighteen years of age and then went to Boston, Mass., and there served an apprenticeship of three and one-half years to the mason's trade and followed the same for several years. Early in the fifties he made the long trip by water to California. After reaching San Francisco he worked for a time at his trade, subsequently spent one year in the gold mines in Middle California and another year in northern Cali- fornia. He then returned to New England, locating in Chelsea, Mass., whence, late in 1861, he returned to Dover, where he has resided ever since. He owns an orchard of eight acres, growing peaches, plums and Baldwin and Ben Davis apples, but for forty years his main business has been brick manufacturing.
Mr. Roberts married Miss Sarah T. Roberts, a native of Dover Point and a daughter of Alonzo and Mary Roberts, who were well known people here. They have two children: Frederick H. and Stephen W. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat but has never accepted any public office.
WILLIAM WALMSLEY,* who is one of Strafford county's most re- spected citizens, resides near Dover and is engaged in gardening, fruit grow- ing and poultry raising. He has led a busy and useful life and has lived in different parts of the world, his travels exceeding those of the ordinary every- day man. He was born in Lancashire, England, June 25, 1850, and is a son of George and Alice (Smith) Walinsley. For generations the Walmsleys have belonged to Lancashire and both parents were born there. Their family consisted of four children : William; George, who is a resident of Passaic, N. J .; Mary A., who is deceased; and Alice J., who still lives in England.
William Walmsley was ten years old when his parents moved to Barce- lona, Spain, his father being called there to become overseer of the printing plant in textile works. The family remained in Spain for five years and then returned to England and William Walmsley completed his educa- tion in the schools of his native place. In the meanwhile he had worked in textile mills and learned the business and was able to command a fair salary when he made up his mind to come to America and seek employment in the great New England cotton mills. It was in December, 1869, that he secured passage on the steamship Palmyra, of the Cunard line, boarding the vessel at Liverpool, and after an enjoyable voyage of fourteen days was landed safely at Boston, Mass. Afterward he was employed at Pawtucket, R. I., and in the Crompton Print works at Crompton, R. I., and in other mills until 1900, when he came to Dover and entered the Cocheco Print works, where he continued until 1911, as a machine printer. In the above named year he retired from mill work and turned his attention to his present industries
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which bring him much pleasure as well as profit. He makes a specialty of growing White Orpington fowls.
On June 1, 1871, Mr. Walmsley was married to Miss Elizabeth Hall, who was born April 30, 1848, at Manchester, England, a daughter of James F. and Ann (Holt) Hall. She was reared in Lancashire and came to the United States in 1871, sailing from Liverpool and landing at Boston, as did her husband. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walm- sley : Elizabeth G., who is the wife of Arthur C. Lane, of Boston ; Lucy A., the wife of John H. Twombley, of North Andover, Mass .; William J., a resident of Boston: Alice, wife of D. L. Robinson, of Manchester, N. H .; James, who lives at Cambridge, Mass .; Ethel, wife of Clarence C. Bridge, of Haverhill, Mass .; Minnie, who resides at Haverhill; George, a resident of Norwich, Conn .; and Arthur, whose home is at Manchester. Mr. and Mrs. Walmsley are members of St. Thomas Episcopal church at Dover, of which he is a vestryman. Mrs. Walmsley belongs to the St. Thomas Parish Society and the St. Thomas Woman's Guild. Mr. Walmsley has never been active in political circles but has given support to various public spirited movements where he has had his home. He is a member of United Brothers Lodge of Odd Fellows, at Lawrence, Mass .; Washington En- campment No. 16, Manchester, N. H., and of Major Waldron Council No. 989, Dover, Royal Arcanum.
SAMUEL H. ROLLINS, who for many years up to his death, which took place March 22, 1911, was one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Rollinsford, N. H., was born in this town, January 17, 1842, a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Frost) Rollins. He was a descendant of an early settler of Rollinsford, which town was named in honor of the family. The father of our subject was born here, his wife Elizabeth coming from Durham, N. H., which was her native place.
Samuel H. Rollins was reared to man's estate in Rollinsford, in his boyhood attending the public schools and South Berwick Academy. From an early age he was trained to agriculture and stock raising, which occupa- tions he followed for over a quarter of a century, being a member of the former well known firm of stockraisers, W. H. and S. H. Rollins. He was also a director of the Salmon Falls Bank. The Rollins Stock Farm con- tains about 300 acres of land devoted to fine stock raising together with dairying and has long been recognized as one of the flourishing industries of the county. A Republican in politics, Mr. Rollins took an active part in public affairs, serving for a time as a member of the school board, for two years as selectman of Rollinsford, and for one term as representative from
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this town to the New Hampshire legislature, in all of which official positions he showed a high degree of efficiency. He attended the Episcopal church at Dover, and was known far and wide as an upright man and a useful and public-spirited citizen. His death was the cause of much sorrow in the community.
Samuel H. Rollins was married December 5, 1875, to Susan R. Rob- erts, a native of Rollinsford and a daughter of Hiram R. Roberts, formerly a well-known citizen of this town. Mrs. Rollins is a member of the South Berwick Baptist Church, and is a lady highly esteemed throughout this vicinity, having numerous friends and moving in the best social circles.
ELBRIDGE G. GAGE, a prominent business man and substantial citizen of Dover, N. H., has been engaged in the manufacture of brick for the past twenty-nine years and now controls three different yards, making a specialty of the celebrated water-struck brick. Mr. Gage was born February 15, 1856, in the town of Dover, N. H., and is a son of Gerry R. and Abigail B. (Tuttle) Gage, both parents being natives of Dover.
Gerry R. Gage was a carpenter by trade and an expert workman. For many years he was with the Governor Sawyer firm, became superintendent and acted as such until his death, which occurred in recent years. He mar- ried Abigail B. Tuttle and they had ten children, of whom the following survive : Elizabeth, who is the wife of George Card, of Dover Point; Thomas F. of Portsmouth; James M., who is a resident of Milton; John P., who lives at Dover; Ida F., wife of Charles S. Roberts of Dover; Carrie R., who lives at Dover; and Elbridge G. This family was founded in Dover by the grandfather, Jonathan Gage, who was a well-known man in his day.
Elbridge G. Gage attended the public schools in Dover and his interests have always been mainly centered here. He owns a fine farm of ninety acres, which he devotes to market gardening. In early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade with Hanson Bros., of Dover and worked at it until he embarked in brick manufacturing, in which industry he has prospered. In the operation of his three yards, during the busy season he requires the help of fifteen men, his annual output aggregating 2,000,000 brick, Boston, Mass., taking almost the entire amount.
Mr. Gage was married December 25, 1875, to Miss Laura J. Coleman, who was born in Dover, a daughter of the late Henry Coleman, and they have three children : Albert H., of Dover; Edith M., wife of Charles Hutch- ings, of Dover; and Annie B., wife of John Colwell, of Dover. Mr. Gage is a member of the Free Will Baptist church. He is identified with the fra-
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ternal order of Odd Fellows, and in politics, like his late father, is a Repub- lican. He is recognized as a man of sterling integrity in his business tran- sactions and of useful activity in other circles.
EDGAR J. HAM, who is a prominent citizen of Strafford county, a member of the board of county commissioners, resides on his farm of 175 acres, situated two miles south of Gonic, in the town of Rochester. He was born on this farm April 13, 1870, and is a son of Joseph W. and Sarah H. (Roberts) Ham.
Joseph W. Ham was born on the above farm and was a son of James Ham, who was the founder of the family in Strafford county. Joseph W. Ham carried on farming until his death in 1891, at the age of sixty-five years and his burial was in the cemetery at Rochester. In politics he was a Demo- crat but never desired public office. He was a man of correct life and high character and for a number of years belonged to the organization known as the Good Templars. He married Sarah H. Roberts who survived him, and they had seven children, of whom the eldest and the youngest yet survive.
Edgar J. Ham was 21 years of age at the time of his father's death. He was the youngest of the family and remained with his mother on the farm which he has never left. He carries on a general line of agriculture on fifty acres of his property. Mr. Ham was married June 10, 1900, to Miss Mattie Roberts, who died in August, 1913. She was a daughter of Levi and Rachel Roberts, of Rochester, N. H. Since early manhood Mr. Ham has taken an interest in public matters and has become one of the political leaders in Strafford county. He is now serving in his third term as a county commissioner, enjoying the distinction of being the first man honored by a third election to this office and receiving the highest vote that was ever cast for any official in Strafford county. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and is a Knight Templar of Palestine Commandery, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Rochester. He belongs also to the Odd Fellow's lodge in that city. For 23 years he has been a member of the Grange and on many occasions has been an official in this organization. He is a member of the Baptist church at Gonic, N. H.
HON. JOHN H. NUTE, whose public services have made him known all over the state of New Hampshire and whose business connections have identified him continuously with one of the great industrial concerns of Dover for almost half a century, was born on Rocky Hill, Dover, N. H., September 13. 1839. His parents were Isaac M. and Mary A. (Jenkins) Nute.
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Isaac M. Nute was born in Strafford county, N. H., and was a son of John Nute, in early days well known in the vicinity of Dover. Isaac M. Nute was a farmer and also, for years, was employed in what are yet called the Sawyer Mills. He identified himself with the Republican party on its organization and in 1863 served as a member of the New Hampshire legislature, representing the Fourth Ward of Dover city. He was a man of fine parts and of sterling integrity and his community lost a good man when he died in February, 1867. He married Mary A. Jenkins, who was born in Madbury, N. H.
John H. Nute was reared and educated at Dover, attending the Pine Hill public school and Franklin Academy, the latter institution being under the control at that time of Prof. Thomas Henderson, a well known educator. At the age of eighteen years he entered the Sawyer Mills, where, for two years he worked in the finishing department. The proprietors, F. A. and J. Sawyer, operated these mills for many years. In September, 1867, Mr. Nute reentered the mills in the repair shop, where he continued for five years in the carpenter shop of the repair department, and in June, 1872 went to work as a machinist in the repair department, which position he still occupies. For nearly half a century Mr. Nute has thus been identified with this company and is one of the oldest continuous employes. While attending carefully to his private business as above indicated, Mr. Nute by no means forgot his many responsibilities as a citizen and as a public servant. He served with excellent judgment as selectman of the Fourth Ward, Dover City, and as councilman of the same for three terms, and in 1885 and 1887 he served in the lower house of the New Hampshire legislature. During the session of 1889 and 1890 he served one term of two years in the New Hampshire state senate, representing the Twenty-third senatorial district. While in the senate he was largely instrumental in securing the passage of the bill that secured a charter for the Dover-Somersworth and Rochester Electric Railroad, and in every way was watchful as to the inter- ests of his constituents. Senator Nute belongs to the Elks at Dover and is a member of the various Masonic bodies of this city, belonging also to Bektash Shrine at Concord, N. H.
CHARLES A. HAM, who is one of the substantial citizens of Rollins- ford, a general farmer and dairyman, is a representative of one of the early families of this section, one that has been connected with agricultural advancement here for several generations. He was born at Rollinsford, N. H., January 25, 1852, and is a son of Morris and Laura A. (Warren) Ham.
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Morris Ham was born in Rollinsford, a son of Nathaniel Ham, who was a native of Portsmouth, N. H. The latter was the founder of the Ham family in what is now Rollinsford. He was not a man of wealth, hence his sons had to make their own way in the world, but from him they inherited sturdy traits of character that have been better far than unearned fortune. For many years Morris Ham was a man of local prominence in his neighborhood and served in the office of selectman. In his political views he was a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Calvin Baptist church at South Berwick, Me. His death occurred in 1874.
Charles A. Ham grew to manhood in his native place, attended the public schools and later the South Berwick and the Dover Academies. Well equipped for almost any line of business he chose an agricultural life and has never felt that he made any mistake in his choice. He owns sixty acres of valuable land, devoting the greater part of it to dairying and has a profitable milk route in Dover, having operated the same for over a quarter of a century. He usually has a herd of fifteen milch cows, Dover taking his entire volume of milk and cream.
Mr. Ham was married to Miss Vera Wentworth, who was born at Northfield, Mass., a daughter of John P. Wentworth. They had one son, Arthur M., who married Alice Redmond, and they in turn have one son, Morris F. Mr. Ham was married secondly to Miss Alta E. Paul, who is a daughter of the late Henry Paul, of Rollinsford.
In politics Mr. Ham is a Republican. For a number of years he has been deeply interested in the practical workings of the Patrons of Hus- bandry and is a charter member of the Hiram R. Roberts Grange, of which he was the first secretary, serving three successive years, and subsequently was treasurer of the same. He belongs also to the Odd Fellows, at Salmon Falls. He is recognized as a man of excellent judgment in local matters and has served as selectman.
WILLIAM M. BOWMAN, president of one of the important business organizations of Strafford county. the Somersworth Foundry Company located at Salmon Falls, is a man of large experience in his particular line. He was born at Falmouth, Mass., in October. 1860, and lived there until he was twelve years old.
At the age of 21 years Mr. Bowman learned the tinsmith trade at Attle- boro, Mass., and then entered the employ of the Weir Stove Company at Taunton, Mass., where he remained for the next five years, working in the sheet iron department. From Taunton he went to Plymouth and for several
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years was in the employ of the Plymouth Foundry Company, afterward becoming connected with the Walker Pratt Manufacturing Company, of Watertown, Mass., first working at his trade and then becoming foreman of the setting up department, where he continued two years. Mr. Bowman then went into the stove manufacturing business on his own account, at Plymouth, Mass., forming a partnership with E. F. Shaw under the firm name of the Pilgrim Foundry Company, and the business was carried on there for one year. In 1901 Mr. Bowman and Mr. Shaw came to Salmon Falls and purchased the plant of the Somersworth Machine Company at Salmon Falls and at once organized and incorporated what is known as the Somersworth Foundry Company. For several years Mr. Bowman acted as vice president of the corporation, afterward being elected to the presidency, and is now the active head and director of the policy of the company, which company finds continuous employment for one hundred men in the shops and the administrative department. Mr. Bowman is a trustee of the Rol- linsford Savings Bank of Salmon Falls.
Mr. Bowman's first marriage was to Miss Ida L. Briggs, and they had three children, the one survivor being: Harold M., who is superintendent of the Somersworth Foundry Company's plant. The output of this plant, stoves, are manufactured in all sizes and for both heating and cooking and they are sold throughout the New England and middle states. Harold M. Bowman is also secretary of the Somersworth Foundry Company, the other officers being: William M. Bowman, president; Mrs. F. L. Holmes, vice president ; and F. L: Holmes, treasurer.
Mr. Bowman's second marriage was to Miss Florence A. Philpott, of Salmon Falls, N. H. The mother of Mr. Bowman, Mrs. Anna G. (Bur- dick) Bowman, a native of Newport, R. I., now resides at Attleboro, Mass., and is in her seventy-seventh year. His father, David S. Bowman, a native of Falmouth, Mass., is deceased. Mr. Bowman is largely a self-made man and his success in the management of his undertakings has been the result of self directed energy. He enjoys public confidence. He votes with the Republican party on national questions but in local affairs uses his own judgment. He has long been identified with the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the lodge at Salmon Falls.
MRS. ANNIE W. BAER, who is a well known and highly esteemed resident of Rollinsford, N. H., was born in South Berwick, Me., and is a daughter of Lorenzo and Elvira (Wentworth) Stackpole, the former of whom was a native of Somersworth and the latter of what is now Rollinsford, N. H.
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James Stackpole, the founder of the family in America, was born in Ireland and came from there to the United States in the latter half of the seventeenth century, securing a grant of land on the Salmon Falls river in New Hampshire. On this land, however, he never lived, possibly on account of its remoteness from other settlements. Finally he established himself on one of the Newichawanock grants and there spent the rest of his life. He left a son, Philip Stackpole, who, in turn left a son, Joshua Stackpole, who, in turn, was succeeded by a son, Tobias Stackpole, who was the great-grand- father of Mrs. Baer. The line was continued in Moses Stackpole who be- came the father of Lorenzo Stackpole, who was the father of Mrs. Baer. It is interesting to trace an ancestral line so clearly as this and to note, in each generation, the perpetuation of family traits that reflect credit on the surviving descendants.
Until the age of eight years, Mrs. Baer lived in her native place and then accompanied her parents when they moved to Rollinsford, where she at- tended school until old enough to become a student in the South Berwick Academy, and later, attended the academy at New London, N. H. She thus grew to womanhood enjoying both educational and social advantages and on January 3. 1872, was united in marriage with Bernhardt Baer. He was a native of Baden, Germany, born in 1844, and when twenty years of age, in 1864, came to America and subsequently to Strafford county. N. H., where he continued to reside until the time of his death, July 16, 1913. Dur- ing his latter years he resided on the farm in Rollinsford now owned and occupied by Mrs. Baer, a valuable property consisting of 180 acres of land which is chiefly devoted to dairying. Mr. Baer was a member of the Moses Paul Masonic lodge at Dover, and for many years belonged to Hiram R. Roberts Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of which Mrs. Baer is a charter member. To Mr. and Mrs. Baer one son was born, Lorenzo E., who resides with his widowed mother.
Although of a modest and retiring personality, Mrs. Baer has been a central figure in many circles for a number of years, having preserved her interest in both public and local affairs and has been particularly active in connection with historical organizations. She is a member of a local historical society known as the Northam Colonists, a member also of the Piscataqua Pioneers, of the New Hampshire Historical Society and of the Dover Woman's Club. Her church membership is with the Baptist body at South Berwick, Me. In every movement promising to be generally beneficial, Mrs. Baer has exerted influence and as indicative of the high regard in which she is held by those who have known her almost her entire life, is the fact that for seven years she was elected a member of the school board of Rollinsford.
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HON. EDWIN A. STEVENS, president of the Rollinsford Savings Bank, is one of the representative business men of Salmon Falls, and as a wise and conservative financier is held in high regard all over Strafford county. He is identified with numerous important enterprises, and in 1896 and 1897, ably represented Rollinsford in the General Assembly of New Hampshire. He was born December 27, 1843, in Effingham, N. H., and is a son of Silas M. and Nancy J. Stevens, the former, and died there at the age of 26 years. The mother, who was born in Shapleigh, Me., died when aged about 72 years old.
Edwin A. Stevens was in his third year when his father died and he was subsequently a member of the household of his grandparents at Shap- leigh, Me., until his 15th year. For about one year he had educational advantages at Somersworth, N. H., after which he became a clerk in a general store there, where he remained for two years. A desire to see something of the world, or perhaps a youthful love of adventure, then led him to enlist in the United States Navy, and for eight months lie was on the sloop "Macedonia." After this experience he returned to school and during 1863 was a student in the academy at Berwick, Me. In 1864 he came to Salmon Falls and entered industrial life with the Somersworth Machine Company, of which he was superintendent for thirty-seven years, also being interested for some time in the coal and wood trade. Gradually his business ability and reliability became generally recognized and some years ago he was elected to his present position of president of the Rollinsford Savings Bank, of which he is also a director and trustee. He is also a director in the Salmon Falls Bank and in the South Berwick (Me.) National Bank, and a trustee in the South Berwick Savings Bank. Mr. Stevens has fre- quently been elected on the Republican ticket to important public offices. He has served two years as selectman of Rollinsford, for a number of years was supervisor of elections, and many times has been selected as moderator of town meetings. His high personal character and public spirit have con- tributed largely to his popularity.
Mr. Stevens married Miss Clara A. Speed of Salmon Falls, and they have four children: Charles E., a resident of Salmon Falls: Mabel G., wife of Walter F. Norton, superintendent of the N. L. P. & H. Company, of Nashna, N. H .; Florence E., wife of Charles H. Wentworth, cashier of the South Berwick National Bank, and Caroline T., who is a teacher in the public schools of Plymouth, N. H. Mr. Stevens and family are members of the Baptist Church at South Berwick, Me., in which he has been a deacon for thirty-three years. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the
EDWIN A. STEVENS
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Blue Lodge at Salmon Falls, Edwards Chapter at Somersworth, Orphan Council at Dover, St. Paul's Commandery, Dover, and the New Hampshire Consistory at Nashua, N. H.
HON. WILLIAM H. MORTON, once an influential citizen of Straf- ford county and a prominent business man of Salmon Falls, was born Febru- ary 9, 1814, at Portsmouth, N. H., and passed out of life at his home in Salmon Falls, June 4, 1904. His parents were William and Sarah (Griffith) Morton. They were natives of New England, their ancestry being of Wales on the maternal side and of England on the paternal.
In the village schools of his native place William H. Morton first at- tended to the business of acquiring an education and after removing with his parents, to Salmon Falls, in 1823, he had academic advantages at South Ber- wick, Me. At that day it was not a difficult matter for an industrious youth to secure employment in a textile factory in New England and very many commenced business life in the wool sorting room, as did young Morton, and he continued at that work until 1834, when the mill was burned. He then went to Grafton, Mass., where he worked in a woolen mill for two years, when he felt prepared to embark in a mercantile business on his own account. In 1842 he moved from Grafton to Blackstone, Mass., where he continued merchandising and reasonably prospered but finally decided to return to Salmon Falls. Here he opened a general store and did a large business until 1851 and then sold in order to become cashier of the Salmon Falls Bank, which had just been organized, and this responsible position he continued to fill until within a few years of his demise. He had become well and favorably known in financial circles and was a trustee and one of the in- corporators of the Rollinsford Savings Bank for many years and for a prolonged period following its organization was its secretary and treasurer. He was a man of enlightened understanding and progressive in many of his ideas. In 1849 when the town of Rollinsford was incorporated he was made town treasurer and served long; in 1853 he became town clerk; he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he held until death ; served two years as a selectman of the town of Somersworth and also of Rollinsford, and in numerous other offices displayed public spirit and efficiency. He was a Republican in politics and served one term as a member of the New Hampshire Senate from the Dover district. He was charitable and benevolent and was always ready to contribute the cause of religion.
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