USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 90
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of their lines of fibre the largest factor in the United States, giving employ- ment to a large number of people. The fibre plants in New England are at present managed by Huntley N. and Rolland H., the Tonawanda plant being managed by Leon C.
HON. FRANK H. HALL, one of Strafford county's well known men and representative citizens, has been a resident of Dover since the fall of 1912 and is proprietor of Sunnyside Farm. He was born at Strafford, N. H., March 3, 1848, and is a son of Rufus and Mary A. (Young) Hall.
Rufus Hall spent his entire life at Strafford, N. H., where his father, Israel Hall, was also born. Rufus Hall was engaged in agricultural pursuits but was a man of so many admirable qualities that his fellow citizens chose him for public offices of responsibility where his good judgment would be of value in the management of affairs. He thus served in numerous local offices and also as selectman of Strafford and afterward was elected on the Democratic ticket, a member of the New Hampshire legislature. He married Mary A. Young, who died in 1901, and they had two sons, David O., who is deceased, and Frank H. Rufus Hall survived his wife until 1906, and in his death his community lost a citizen of worth.
Frank H. Hall was reared at Strafford and attended the public schools and the Strafford Academy and later a school at Northwood, N. H. For a number of years he was engaged in agriculture and was interested in the lumber industry, which interest he maintains in other sections of New Hamp- shire, and also is a dealer in farm property both in Strafford and Barrington. During his residence in Strafford he served two terms as a member of the New Hampshire legislature, carefully looking after the interests of his constituents while at Concord, and was appointed later a delegate to the Constitutional convention, held at Concord, as a representative of Strafford, his public services in all cases meeting the expectations of his friends and securing him the confidence of the public.
Mr. Hall married Miss Clara Eliott, of Barnstead, Belknap county, N. H. They have one son, Carroll E., who married Ella Buzzell and they have a daughter, Marjorie. The family belongs to the Free Will Baptist church.
MOSES H. PRAY, whose fine farm of 100 acres lies on the old Indigo Hill road, in the town of Somersworth, Fifth Ward, is one of the substantial and representative citizens of Strafford county. He was born in Somers- worth, N. H., May 27, 1861, and is a son of Lorenzo D. and Harriet N. (Grover) Pray, and a grandson of Major Moses Pray.
Lorenzo D. Pray was born at Lebanon. Me., in 1831, and was eight years
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old when his father, Major Moses Pray, moved to what was then Great Falls (now Somersworth) and settled on the farm now owned by Moses H. Pray. Major Pray was an officer in the War of 1812. He was an extensive dealer in cattle and owned large herds. Lorenzo D. Pray served as select- man in the town of Great Falls for a number of years. In politics he was a Republican. He married Harriet N. Grover, who was born at Portsmouth, N. H., and of their children the following survive: Sarah E., who is the widow of Charles H. Smith, now living at Vladivostok, Russia, where she has resided ever since the death of her husband; Moses H .; Frederick S., who is also a resident of that far distant Russian city above mentioned; and Grace E., who is the wife of J. Harry Austin of Berwick, Me. The father of the above family died in November, 1901.
Moses H. Pray has always resided on the home farm and has followed agricultural pursuits from youth. This beautiful tract of land is locally known as Echo Farm. Mr. Pray carries on general farming and dairying. In October, 1884, he was married to Miss Mildred L. Tibbetts, who was born in Berwick, Me., a daughter of John W. Tibbetts, now of Providence, R. I. Of their family of children, there are five living: Frederick S., in Bridgeport, Conn .; and Leigh H., Charles S., Doris M. and Eleanor F., all of whom reside at home. In politics Mr. Pray is a Republican and he has served as councilman from the Fifth Ward of Somersworth and was a mem- ber of the first board of councilmen after the city was incorporated, serving three consecutive years. With his family Mr. Pray attends the Congrega- tional church. He is a man in whom great public confidence is placed and his many acts of good citizenship prove that it is not misplaced.
GEORGE F. HODGDON, residing at No. 239 High street, Somers- worth, N. H., devotes his time to general farming and dairying, within the space of a few years having built up a remunerative milk route at Somers- worth. He was born May 21, 1855, in Great Falls, now Somersworth. N. H., and is a son of George W., a grandson of Abner and a great-grand- son of Jonathan Hodgdon.
The founder of the Hodgdon family in New Hampshire was Jonathan Hodgdon, who came from England, accompanied by two brothers, one of whom settled at Wells, Me., and the other at Ossipee, N. H., while he chose his home in Rochester, where his son, Abner Hodgdon was born; it is said that the latter's mother was killed by the Indians. . George W. Hodgdon lived at Rochester until he was twenty-four years old and then became an employe of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company and worked in those mills for forty-five years. He was respected by everyone and was one of
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the men most trusted by his employers. He died when aged eighty-four years. He married Mary Hobbs, who was born at Sanford, Me.
George F. Hodgdon entered the mills of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company after his school days were over and continued there for thirty years. For some years past he has devoted his attention to farm pursuits, including dairying, beginning with the milk of two cows and has continued to increase his dairy stock until he now has twenty-three head and sells all the milk he can produce. On December 25, 1880, he was married to Miss Ida M. Fall, who was born at Berwick, Me., and is a daughter of George and Lucy E. (Melcher) Fall, and a granddaughter of Hezekiah Fall, who was born at Berwick, Me., where her father was also born, while her mother was a native of Carroll county, N. H. The latter survives and is now in her eighty-fifth year.
In politics Mr. Hodgdon is a Republican. He is identified with the Odd Fellows at Rochester and belongs also to the Lady Franklin Rebekah Lodge No. 13, to which Mrs. Hodgdon also belongs, and both are members of the New England Order of Protection, while, in addition, he is identified with the Royal Protective Association. They are people of high personal standing in this community and have a wide circle of friends.
JOB H. BURLEIGH, a venerable resident of Dover, N. H., is well known to the people of the community, by whom he is held in highest esteem. He has been living in Dover since 1875, and makes his home at No. 39 Silver Street. He was born in Acton, Me., January 28, 1828, and is a son of Job and Susan ( Frost) Burleigh.
The Burleigh family is of English extraction, and dating back several generations in this country to one Jonathan Burleigh, who came over with two brothers. He took up his residence at Epping, N. H. Job Burleigh, father of the subject of this sketch, was born and reared at Wakefield, New Hampshire. After his marriage with Susan Frost, a native of Marblehead, Mass., he moved to Acton, Me., where he lived and plied his trade as black- smith. In 1859, he moved with his family to Union, N. H., where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives.
Job H. Burleigh was born while the family resided at Acton, Maine, where he grew to maturity. When twelve years old he began learning the trade of a blacksmith in his father's shop, and that continued to be his chief occupation throughout his active career. He moved with his parents to Union in 1859, and there lived and worked at his trade until December, 1875. He at that time moved with his wife and children to Dover, N. H., locating on Silver Street, where they have lived continuously since. He engaged in
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blacksmithing for himself and with good success until 1900, when he retired to enjoy a well earned rest and the fruits of his early toil. An intelligent and well informed man, he has always taken a keen interest in public questions and matters relating to public welfare.
In March, 1849, Mr. Burleigh was joined in marriage with Miss Merinda WV. Marston, who was born in Meredith, N. H., May 18, 1828, and is a daughter of Jeremiah and Annie (Young) Marston, her parents being also natives of Meredith. Five children were born of this union: Albert W., deceased; Everett J., deceased; George P. of Seattle, Washington; Samuel F. of Manchester, New Hampshire; and Lillian A., who is married to John M. Gage and lives on Dover Neck. Job H. Burleigh is a stanch Democrat in politics. He belongs to Moses Paul Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Dover ; also to the Improved Order of Redmen of Dover. He and his wife are widely known in Dover, and their friends are limited only by the number of their acquaintances.
PROF. FRANK S. SUTCLIFFE, A. B., A. M.,* superintendent of the public schools of Somersworth and Newmarket, N. H., and a resident of Somersworth, since 1909, was born at Salem, N. H., in October, 1860, a son of James and Mary L. Sutcliffe. The father, James Sutcliffe, an Englishman by birth, was in his day a well known woolen manufacturer of Manchester, N. H. His wife, Mary, was a native of Andover, Mass.
Frank S. Sutcliffe was a small boy when he accompanied his parents to Manchester, N. H. He attended the public schools, including the high school, from which he was graduated in 1878. In 1882 he was graduated from Dart- inouth College, after a four years' academic course. Then taking up his resi- dence in Manchester, he became principal of the Lincoln grammar school there, a position that he held for twelve years. He was then elected principal of the high school, but declined the position, accepting instead that of super- intendent of schools at Arlington, Mass., where he remained for seven years, rendering efficient service. Subsequent to this he was superintendent of public schools at Newport, N. H., for five years, after which, in 1909, as already stated, he came to Somersworth to accept his present position as superintendent of the public schools of this city and of Newmarket. Prof. Sutcliffe has estab- lished an excellent reputation as an educator of ability, his work having been strongly endorsed both by experts in this line and by the public generally in the places where he has held positions. He is a past president of the New Hampshire Teachers' Association, and of the Schoolmasters' Club of New Hampshire, and is also a member of the National Geographical Educational Society. His degrees of A. B. and A. M. were conferred by Dartmouth Col-
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lege. Fraternally he belongs to Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Man- chester, N. H., of which he is past master, and is a past noble grand of Hillsboro Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., also of Manchester. He attends the Con- gregational church at Somersworth.
Prof. Sutcliffe married Kate M. Follinsbee, of Manchester, N. H., formerly a teacher in the public schools of that city, and daughter of Henry A. Follinsbee, now deceased. He and his wife are the parents of two children, namely : Marjorie F., a graduate of Simmons College at Boston, Mass., who is assistant librarian at Wellesley College, and Barbara, who is a graduate of Andover ( Mass.) Seminary.
CHARLES M. JONES,* who for 21 years served continuously as execu- tive officer of the Dover Board of Health, has filled other honorable and responsible offices during a busy and useful life and is now retired, residing in his comfortable residence at No. 785 Central avenue, Dover. He was born at Lunenburg, Mass., August 2, 1836, a son of David and Olivia (Hughes) Jones, the former of whom was born also at Lunenburg and the latter at Windham, N. H.
Charles M. Jones has no recollection of his father, who died when the subject of this sketch was in his third year. When young Charles was ten years old his mother died and after that, until he assumed charge of his own affairs, at the age of 15 years, he lived with relations in Worcester county, Mass. He had few educational advantages, as he had to depend for support on his own efforts, so that work soon took the place of school. In 1859 after some experience in a bakery, he became a bakery salesman at Somersworth, N. H., and remained there for two years. He then came to Dover, where he was engaged in the same business until in September, 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company K, IIth N. H. Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the 9th Army Corps. He took part in the battles of White Sulphur Springs and Fredericksburg, after which he was transferred to the mail service, in which he continued until the close of the war, being honorably discharged in June, 1865. Returning to Dover, he was for some time connected with the mercantile business. In 1890 he was elected executive officer of the Dover Board of Health, as mentioned above, and to the duties of that office devoted over two decades of his life. He has been a very active member of C. W. Sawyer Post No. 17, G. A. R. of Dover, of which he is adjutant and of which he was commander for two years. In all his official relations he has been careful, just and considerate and is held in high esteem by those who know him best.
Mr. Jones was married in August, 1867, to Miss Lydia E. Blaisdell, who 55
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was born at Somersworth, N. H., a daughter of Richard and Clarissa ( Han- son) Blaisdell. Her parents were born at Lebanon, Me., coming of old families of English extraction; Thomas Hanson, the grandfather, was an early settler of Dover. Mrs. Jones was educated in the Somersworth high school and also in a private school. She is welcome in the city's pleasant social circles, belongs to the Daughters of the Revolution, and was one of the organizers of the Woman's Relief Corps at Dover. Mr. and Mrs. Jones attend the Pierce Memorial Universalist church. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias.
ORIMEL W. GARSIDE,* market gardener, residing on his tract of 25 acres of richly cultivated land near Dover, is one of the well known, popular and esteemed citizens of the city and environs. There are many children among his friends, for he is the one who safely and carefully conveys them to school in Dover and back again to the Knox Marsh School District. He was born at Dover, N. H., May 17, 1885, and is a son of Albert W. and Addie M. (Ingraham) Garside.
Orimel C. Ingraham, the maternal grandfather, was one of the early boot and shoe merchants at Dover, conducting his store in the Odd Fellows' build- ing for a number of years and after disposing of it settling on a farm on the Knox Marsh road (the same farm Mr. Garside now owns), where he died. Albert W. Garside is a resident of Dover, where he is employed in the belt factory of I. B. Williams & Co. His father, Walter Garside, was a native of England, and for many years was employed in the Sawyer Woolen mills, now a part of the American Woolen Company system, at Dover. Albert W. Gar- side married Addie M. Ingraham, who was born at Dover, where she died in 19II, an admirable woman in every relation of life.
Orimel W. Garside went to school with considerable regularity at Dover until he was 16 years old and then began to be self supporting. He assisted his grandfather Ingraham on his farm until he was about 20 years of age, when he bought a milk route in Dover and operated it most successfully for five years. In 1911 he began market gardening, retailing his products in Dover, for which there is always a hearty demand.
Mr. Garside married Miss Hazel M. Emerson, a daughter of Laban Emerson, of Madbury, N. H., and they have two children, Ralph E. and Electa A. Like his father, Mr. Garside is a Republican. In 1912 he was his party's candidate for the office of sealer of weights and measures of Ward Four, Dover, and failed of election by a very few votes. For eight years he has guarded the school children of his district and has won their warm affection. Mr. Garside belongs to Mt. Pleasant Lodge, Odd Fellows, at Dover, and Men
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of Prescott Encampment of the same place, and also to Dover Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, in this organization having served in every office with the exception of master. He belongs to the Free Will Baptist church on Washington street, Dover.
MISS SARAH F. JENKINS, a well known and highly esteemed resident of the town of Madbury, owns and occupies the fine old Jenkins homestead containing 127 acres of valuable land. She has been a lifeling resident of the town of Madbury, and is a daughter of Joseph A. and Mehitable (Bunker) Jenkins.
Joseph A. Jenkins was born in 1811, in Madbury, and died May 15, 1884, in his seventy-third year. He was a son of Nathaniel Jenkins, who was a son of Joseph Jenkins, one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers in this section. For generations this family have been representatives of all that is best in citi- zenship and in private life, quiet, honest, virtuous people, who have left a lasting impress on the community where they lived and labored so long. The Jenkins ancestors in general were members of the Society of Friends. Joseph A. Jen- kins followed an agricultural life. He was never active in political campaigns but from a sense of duty gave his support to the Democratic party. He mar- ried Mehitable Bunker, who died June II, 1902, in her eighty-fifth year. Of their children, five in number, Sarah F. is the only survivor, the others being : Charles A., Nathaniel, George A., and Eliza J.
Nathaniel Jenkins of the above family, was born on the old homestead in Madbury, N. H. He was a man widely known and highly esteemed. For more than twenty years he was an employe of the Sawyer Woolen Mills at Dover, where his reliability and faithful performance of duty were thoroughly recog- nized, resulting in his being appointed an overseer in the mills, a responsible position that he filled for a number of years. In politics he was a Democrat but he was never willing to accept any office of a public nature. He was a kind and thoughtful brother and in his last illness transferred his farm to his sister by deed. His death occurred August 20, 1908.
AUGUSTUS DE SCHUYLER,* a highly respected retired resident of Dover, was born in Belgium, Angust II, 1842, and is a son of Saul and Cather- ine De Schuyler. Both parents were born in Belgium, in 1801, and both lived to be over ninety years of age.
Augustus De Schuyler had few of the early advantages which are now considered the birthright of American children, but he was taught to be honest and industrious and on such good foundation built his business career. During youth and early manhood he worked in flax, cotton, silk and other mills, in his
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own land, but all the time cherished a hope of finally reaching America and this hope became a fact in March, 1865. After boarding a vessel at Antwerp, he had to transfer at London, England, and from that city go by tram to Liver- pool, at which port he was able to secure passage on a steamer for the United States. About 18 days later he was safely landed at Portland, Me., from which city he came to Newmarket Junction, N. H. He reached the United States near the closing months of the great Civil war and, on account of the money inducement offered, decided to enlist in an organization then forming, and on March 29, 1865, became a member of Company G, 4th N. H. Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for six months, mainly in North Carolina, and was then honorably discharged. He then came to Dover, attracted by promise of work in his own line, and for 20 years subsequently he continued an employe of Sawyer's Woolen mills. Afterward, for 13 years, he was caretaker of St. Mary's cemetery at Dover. For several years he has lived in comfortable retirement, enjoying the esteem and good will of those with whom his life has been spent for so long a time.
In November, 1878, Mr. De Schuyler was married to Miss Catherine McDonough, who was born in County Sligo, Ireland, a daughter of Matthew and Mary (Fenly) McDonough. She was two years old when her parents moved to Manchester, England, and lived there until she came to the United States, landing at Dover, N. H., July 6, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. De Schuyler are members of St. Mary's Catholic church at Dover. In his political views he is a Republican with independent proclivities.
CHARLES F. CROCKETT,* who is now serving in his third term as clerk of the Somersworth Water Board, is a citizen of prominence in the town and resides on the old Crockett homestead farm, which is located at Crockett's Crossing, on the Salmon Falls road. He was born in the house in which he now lives, January 1, 1853, and is a son of Charles H. and Sallie P. (Ireland) Crockett, the latter being a native of Charlestown, Mass.
Charles H. Crockett was born at Ossipee, N. H., a son of Andrew Crockett, also of New Hampshire. The former accompanied his parents to Strafford county in boyhood, they locating in what is now called Rollinsford, near Rol- linsford Station. Charles H. Crockett engaged in farming as his main occu- pation and in 1836 bought the farm which his son, Charles F. Crockett now owns. He and wife attended the Methodist Episcopal church and were worthy people in every act of life. His death occurred February 9, 1897. They had six children: Louisa J., Sarah A., Charles H. and Mary E., all deceased; and Charles F. and Martha E., the last named being the widow of
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P. W. Hemingway, formerly of East Weymouth, Mass. Mrs. Hemingway now resides with her only brother at Somersworth.
Charles F. Crockett attended the district schools and has devoted his life mainly to farming. He owns thirty acres of well cultivated land and finds health and contentment in still further improving his estate. Mr. Crockett was married October 16, 1897, to Miss Frances Shorey, who died January 27, 1912. She was a daughter of Albert P. Shorey, a former resident of South Berwick, Me. Mrs. Crockett was a member of the Calvin Baptist church at South Berwick, Me. In politics Mr. Crockett is a Democrat and served six years as a member of the school board and for several years has been a select- man representing the Fourth Ward of the city of Somersworth. With this record to his credit, it is unnecessary to add that he is held in high regard by his fellow citizens.
ARTHUR W. SIMPSON,* one of Madbury's well known and respected residents, who is the owner of Hillside Farm, and who, in addition to farming carries on a general catering business with excellent financial results, was born in Yorkshire, England, June 26, 1862, and is a son of William and Sarah Simpson. Both parents of Mr. Simpson were natives of England, the name being a well known one in Yorkshire, and from there they came to the United States in 1864, settling at Dover, N. H., where both subsequently died. For many years the father was an overseer in the old Sawyer Woolen Mills, in the days when no brick had yet been used to displace the old wood construction.
Arthur W. Simpson was reared and educated at Dover and attended also the old Franklin Academy. During early manhood he was employed in various departments in the old Sawyer Woolen Mills. Afterward he was in the tea and coffee business at Dover. Following his first marriage Mr. Simpson set- tled on Hillside Farm, on which he has continued to live ever since. It was formerly the property of Judge Atkinson, from whom John Hill purchased it, and his name is commemorated in the name of this beautiful and productive tract of 226 acres of fine land. Mr. Simpson carries on general farming and dairying, and, as a side line, conducts his catering business. His residence stands near the former location of the old Piscataqua river bridge.
Mr. Simpson was married first to Miss Lydia L. Hill, who was born in Strafford county, a daughter of John Hill, and two sons were born to them: John H., who is a resident of San Diego, Cal. ; and Roscoe H., who is a resident of Dover and formerly a member of the board of selectmen of Madbury, N. H. Mr. Simpson's second marriage was to Miss Ethel C. Watson, a daughter of David W. Watson of Durham, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson attend the Con- gregational church at Durham. For 30 years he has been more or less active
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in political life in Strafford county, particularly in the town of Madbury, and has given his fellow citizens efficient service in many responsible positions. He served on the board of selectmen a number of terms, being twice chairman of the board, and early in the nineties was sent to the New Hampshire legislature to represent the town of Madbury. At present he is a member of the board of health and deputy fire warden, and has filled many other local offices where good judgment was essential. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally is identified with the Masons, at Dover as well as the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the A. O. U. W. Mr. Simpson is justly numbered with Strafford county's representative citizens.
MARK CHASE,* owner of the beautiful tract of land known throughout the town of Dover as Fairview Place, located on Bay View road and contain- ing 185 acres of land, was born in Albany, Carroll county, N. H., June 20, 1852. His parents were George and Amy (Annis) Chase, the former a son of Oliver Chase and a resident of Albany, and the latter born in Madison, N. H. Mark Chase was not born until two months after his father's death. The mother subsequently married Samuel Banfield and the family moved to Con- way, N. H.
March Chase attended the public schools at Conway and lived there until he was 20 years of age, in the meanwhile having lost his mother by death, when he was twelve years old. He then came to Dover, but two years later returned to Conway and remained there several years longer. He was first married June 20, 1873. to Miss Rosalie A. Ham, a daughter of Plumer and Mary Ham, who were well known people of Rochester. Mrs. Rosalie A. Chase died in 1887, and on October 16, 1888, Mr. Chase was married secondly to Miss Alice J. Farrington, who was born at Conway, N. H., a daughter of John C. and Mary A. (Banfield) Farrington, members of old Conway, N. H., families. The great-grandmother of Mrs. Chase was the first white female child born at Moultonboro, N. H., for which family the place was named. Mrs. Chase was a school teacher prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have had four children : Herbert F., of Dover; Eugene R., who is deceased; and Ernest C. and Althea M., both residing at home. Mr. Chase and wife located on his present farm in the fall of 1893, where he follows general farming and dairying. They are members of the Wash- ington Street Free Baptist church. They are also members of the Dover Grange, to which the sons also belong; Herbert F. having held office therein for many years, is said to be the youngest man ever elected master of a grange in New Hampshire. The other son, Ernest C. Chase, is now serving the Grange in the office of steward. The Chase family is prominent in social
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circles, and the male members are stanch Democrats, without desire for public office.
CHARLES O. BAKER, a well known citizen of Dover, N. H., owner of a farm of about 30 acres devoted to farming and dairying, was born in Dover, N. H., October 2, 1846, a son of Samuel W. and Lydia P. (Blake) Baker. He is a grandson of Sharonton Baker, formerly of Dover, who resided here many years, serving the town as selectman, and who died in New York in 1860. Sharonton was a son of Eben Baker, the family being of English extraction. Samuel W. Baker, the father of our subject, was born in Dover, his wife Lydia being a native of this county. He was a prominent citizen, serving in the legislature in 1870 and 1871 from Ward I, Dover. He was also an alder- man two years and was assessor for a number of years. In politics he was a Republican and he was a citizen of great popularity with a wide following. Of the children born to Samuel W. Baker and wife there are now three sur- vivors, namely: Charles O., the subject of this sketch; Samuel B., residing in Charlestown, Mass., and Sharonton H., a resident of Malden, Mass.
Charles O. Baker, in addition to the activities above mentioned, is an active participant in public affairs. A Republican, like his father, he is now serving as an assessor at large of Dover, being also clerk of the board. He has served as clerk of Ward I for several years and has been a member of the common council for two terms, showing marked efficiency. He is a charter member of the Wanalonset Tribe of Red Men at Dover; a charter member of the United Order of the Golden Cross, at Dover; and a member of Chcheco Grange, No. 81, P. of H., which he has served as overseer. He attends the Pierce Memorial Universalist Church.
Mr. Baker married Elizabeth Drew of Barrington, N. H., a daughter of Swain Drew, now deceased. They have one daughter, Alice G., who is the wife of Hollis P. Ford, of Dover, and the mother of one son, Charles Baker Ford.
CHARLES F. PRAY, station agent at Rollinsford, N. H., for the Boston and Maine Railroad, has been identified with railroad work ever since he reached manhood. He was born at Rollinsford, September 23, 1851, and is a son of Humphrey and Eunice (Stackpole) Pray. The father was born in Lebanon, Me., and the mother in Rollinsford, N. H. The Pray family is of English and Scotch ancestry.
Charles F. Pray attended the public schools of his native place and the Salmon Falls High school. Having decided on railroad work as his occu- pation, he learned the art of telegraphing, beginning as an operator, August
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15, 1870, with the Boston and Maine Railroad. Two and a half years later he was appointed station agent and ever since has filled both positions. This is an important railroad point and Mr. Pray's duties occupy all of his time during the week of seven days.
Mr. Pray has been twice married, first to Miss Novella A. Libbey, of Lowell, Mass. They had two children: Charles B. and Harry E., the latter being assistant superintendent of the Sayles' Bleachery, of Saylesville, R. I. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Pray married Miss Lucy B. Lord, of Lebanon, Me., a highly educated lady who had been formerly a teacher, whom he also lost by death. Both his wives were worthy and estimable ladies. Mr. Pray is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of South Berwick, Me. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Salmon Falls. Politically a Republican, he belongs to that wing of the party that particularly advocates temperance. Mr. Pray is one of Strafford county's well known citizens.
STEPHEN P. CHESLEY*, who is a member of one of the old agri- cultural families of Strafford county and carries on farm industries on the place on which he was born, July 23, 1862, in the town of Durham, is a son of John S. and Nancy A. (Sanborn) Chesley. Few families of Durham have older associations connected with this part of New Hampshire than have the Chesleys. The pioneer settler of the family was Samuel Chesley, perhaps of English extraction. He secured the land which the family still preserves and here reared his family. His son, Stephen P. Chesley, grandfather of Stephen P. Chesley, of this sketch, was a respected resident of Durham throughout his life.
John S. Chesley, father of Stephen P., spent his entire life in Durham, where he died in 1896. He was prominent in local affairs, serving several terms as a selectman of Durham, and was practical and careful in the man- agement of his own enterprises. He married Nancy A. Sanborn, who was born at Loudon, N. H., and they had the following children: Stephen P., of Durham; James S., of Dover; Wilbert S., Gabriella, Edgar D. and Eliz- abeth W., all of Durham; and Ivy M., of Sanbornton, N. H.
Stephen P. Chesley attended the public schools of the town of Durham, also Franklin Academy, at Dover and subsequently, Coe's Academy, at North- wood Center, N. H. From early manhood he has made agriculture his busi- ness, and he carries on farming and dairying with profitable results. In his political opinions, like his late father, he is a Democrat ; he has served as a selectman of the town and on several occasions his party has made him its candidate for the legislature. At the last election his opponent, Hon.
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Charles Wentworth, defeated him by but a small majority.` Mr. Chesley is interested in the Patrons of Husbandry and belongs to Scammell Grange No. 122, of Durham. He belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and is a charter member of Sullivan Lodge No. 26, at Durham, in which he has held official positions. Mr. Chesley stands high in the esteem of his fellow citi- zens and well represents the good citizenship of Durham.
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