USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > Wolfeborough > History of Wolfeborough (New Hampshire) > Part 34
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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.
Martha Frost; Shadrich died Feb. 2, 1797; Abednego married Hannah Mayhew and Sally Moulton; Hannah, born Feb. 28, 1801, died Dec. 1, 1815.
Henry Bloomfield Rust, son of Henry Rust and grandson of the settler, was born May 11, 1794. He was more widely known than any of the Rust family of Wolfeborough. He was christened Henry, but added Bloomfield to his name, assigning as a reason that there were too many Henry Rusts in the town, there being then on the check-list four of that name. Mr. Rust married, Dec. 28, 1815, Pamelia Horne, by whom he had the following children : Pamelia Caroline, born Aug. 14, 1816, married Ezra Pinkham, died Sept. 29, 1870; Henry Lorenzo, born July 11, 1818, married Lucinda Hancock and Alphonzo H., born. Feb. 8, 1820, married Betsy Furbur; Betsy Ann Parker, born Sept. 2, 1821, married James F. Dixon, died Oct. 2, 1847. He married second, Oct. I, 1823, Hannah S., daughter of Andrew Jewett. She was born in the Jewett Tavern April 13, 1798, and died May 29, 1888. She was a remarkably intelligent person, even when verging upon the age of an octogenarian. Judge Rust, as he was generally termed, was a man of fine physique and affable manners. For the first twelve years of his married life he lived with his father on the home farm, but in 1835 he removed to South Wolfe- borough village, where he spent the remainder of his life in various kinds of business, principally in merchandizing. For years he had a controlling influence in the village and even in the whole town of Wolfeborough. He was an ardent democrat, and occupied a prominent position in that party, which was for some decades dominant in the state of New Hampshire. In 1828-9 he was a member of the new House of Representatives, in 1838 a member of the Senate, and in 1841-2 a member of the Council. In 1846-7 and in 1852 he was again a member of the House of Representatives, and in 1832 was appointed one of the associate judges of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire. He died July 27, 1876, aged eighty-two years. By Mr. Rust's
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second marriage there were seven children: Joanna Adaline, born Aug. 25, 1824, died May 15, 1826; Charlotte Elvira, born Aug. 30, 1826, married Daniel Wood; Augustus Jewett, born Oct. 19, 1828, died Sept. 6, 1836; Cecilia Eliza, born Dec. 28, 1830, died Nov. 8, 1856; Albert Bloomfield, born Sept. 10, 1833 ; George Erastus Parker, born Dec. 28, 1835, married Josephine Haines and Lucy A. Pike; Hannah Jewett, born July 9, 1839, married George Burbank, from whom she was divorced, and re- sumed the name of Rust, has one child, Eliza Harvey, born July 9, 1865, married Arthur Q. Mosely, of Westfield, Mass.
Henry Rust, the son of Richard Rust, was born March 19, 1785, and married Nancy Norriss. Their children were: George, born July 10, 1810, died Sept. 25, 1890; Louisa, born Nov. I, 1812, married John McDuffee.
The above named George Rust married Drusilla B. Davis. The result of the union was three children: John Henry, born Nov. 10, 1835, married Phoebe A. Webster ; Lucy Ellen, born June 15, 1845, married Curtis E. Wadleigh; Harriet Anna, born Sept. 13, 1847, died Oct. 13, 1864.
Thomas Rust, son of Richard Rust and grandson of the settler, was born Nov. 27, 1798. He spent his early life in teaching school and surveying, and succeeded his father in the care of the Rust Tavern, now the Sheridan House at Wolfeborough village. He was deputy postmaster several years, held the offices of town clerk, selectman, and school committee, did much business as justice of peace in settling estates, etc., and was county judge. He merchandized somewhat, was deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school connected with the Con- gregational Church for many years, and was a useful and cir- cumspect citizen during his long life. He died Jan. 16, 1890, aged ninety-two years. He married, March 19, 1823, Phebe C. Piper, who proved a helpmeet indeed. She died Sept. 15, 1887, aged eighty-seven years. Their children were: Susan Jane, born Jan. 5, 1825, married Rev. Nathaniel Coffin ; John Richard,
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born May 23, 1828, married Mary L. Pierce of Dover, N. H .; Thomas Henry, died in infancy; George Henry, born July 26, 1839, married Josephine Varney.
John Richard Rust was formerly a civil engineer, and engaged in the construction of railroads in New Hampshire, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maine, and Vermont, and for ten years held official relations with the St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain railroad. He is now manufacturer of flour at the Forest Mills, near Zumbrota, Minn.
Nathaniel Rust, son of William Rust and grandson of the Colonel, was born Sept. 9, 1790. He married first, Lydia Fol- som, daughter of Jacob Folsom, second, Fannie, daughter of Andrew Wiggin, third, Mary, widow of Benjamin Fullerton and daughter of James Wiggin. He was deacon of the First Christian Church of Wolfeborough. He died Aug. 1. 1859. His children were : Hannah, born July 1, 1817, married Josiah Norris ; Lydia, born Feb. 23, 1819, married Charles L. Hamilton, died Jan. 3, 1869; Nathaniel Parker, born Sept. 18, 1821, died Nov. 23, 1823; Nathaniel Parker 2nd, born Sept. 28, 1824, married Sarah A. Stoddard and Harriet Wallace, killed in the War of the Rebellion; Frances Ann, born Nov. 21, 1827, married Wil- liam P. Watson, died March 29, 1867; Charles Augustus, born March 28, 1830, married Mary A. Rollins ; Martha Camelia, born Feb. 26, 1833, married W. K. Simmons and Joseph A. Johnson ; Alfred, born Dec. 20, 1840, died Apr. 1, 1842.
Henry Rust Parker, son of Matthew Stanley Parker, married Hannah H. Rust. Their children were: John Tappan, born Sept. 5, 1804, married Sally L. Seavey, died Sept. 25, 1848; Samuel Sewall, born Nov. 9, 1807, married Jane Cate, died Sept. 20, 1848; Eliza Chamberlain, born Nov. 1I, 1811, died May 17, 1825; Matthew Stanley, born June 22, 1812, married Clarrisa Blake and Elizabeth Perkins.
The children of John Tappan Parker were: Eliza Frances, born July 30, 1826, married Asa Perkins and Clark Collins ; Ruth
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Ann, born Aug. 19, 1832, married Moses Thompson, died March 18, 1897 ; Henry Rust, born Jan. 24, 1836, married Ella, daughter of Moses and Hannah Thompson; George Seavey, born March 2, 1842.
Henry Rust Parker, the son mentioned above, is a self-made' man. He was left an orphan at the age of twelve years, but being determined to obtain an education, he at once set about the work of procuring the means to accomplish his purpose. He quite early qualified himself for a teacher, and took charge of a high school at Farmington, which situation he creditably filled for six years, meantime pursuing a course of medical study. He graduated from the medical department of Dartmouth College in 1866, and commenced practising his profession in his native town. In 1881 he removed to Dover, N. H., in which city he continues to reside. He has an extensive and lucrative practice, is a member of several medical societies, and in 1890 was elected Mayor of Dover.
Samuel Sewall Parker, son of the first Henry Rust Parker, married Jane Cate. Their children were: Charles Franklin, born Sept. 2, 1828, married Lizzie Boyd, was cashier of Lake 4
Bank, and has held other responsible social and official positions, was superintendent of the Congregational Sunday-school many years, and is a deacon of the Congregational Church; Harey Stanley Sewail, born Feb. 18, 1832, married Hester Stevens ; John William, born May 2, 1840, married Abbie Haley ; Samuel Woodbury, born Nov. 18, 1843, proprietor of Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago.
Following are the children of Deering Stoddard, who married Elisabeth, daughter of Col. Henry Rust: Loving, born Apr. 5, 1787, married Fanny Goldsmith, died Jan. 12, 1809; Nancy, born Nov. 5, 1789, married Jonathan Hilton ; Deering, born Feb. 3, 1791, died Dec. 12, 1802 ; Elizabeth, born Apr. 7, 1793, died Feb. 2, 1812; Sally, born June 21, 1795, married James Chamberlain, died Oct. 29, 1828; Hannah, born Feb. 22, 1797, married Jona-
DR. HENRY R. PARKER
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than Copp and James Buzzell; Obadiah, born Aug. 9, 1799, married Sally Eaton; Martha, born Dec. 2, 1801, died Dec. 4, 1802.
John H. Rust's children are: Carrie, born Nov. 30, 1860, married Henry W. Chase; Etta, born Dec. 25, 1862; George, born March 19, 1865, married Louise V. Prescott, of Peabody, Mass. ; Horace, born Nov. 30, 1867, married Edith Brown.
Albert Bloomfield Rust has been a useful citizen. He has served for nine years most acceptably on the school board, has acted as presiding officer of many public gatherings, and has taken a keen interest in historical matters relating to his native town. His only daughter, Josephine, married, 1899, Harry M. Bickford, of Wolfeborough.
In this connection, the only other Parker family living in town may be considered, although they have no relationship with the before mentioned branch.
Benjamin Franklin Parker, son of Samuel Gridley Parker, of Boston, Mass., and Sarah Thurston Kelly, of Stratham, was born in Stratham, Apr. 21, 1817. He came to Wolfeborough in 1831, and was up to the time of his death, Dec. 30, 1900, a resident of the town. July, 1850, he married Harriet B. Whitton, daughter of Daniel Whitton, who was born Feb. 10, 1831. His children are: Sarah Elizabeth, born Apr. 25, 1852, died Aug. 19, 1869; Harriet Eva, born Aug. 30, 1854; Frank Sumner, born Jan. 8, 1857, married Annie I. Warren; Charles Whitton, born Feb. 24, 1859, died Sept. 30, 1861 ; Abbie Blaisdell, born July 27, 1861 ; Vilette Maud, born March 19, 1866, married Hoyt H. Tucker, of Athens, Me .; Bert Wiggin, born Jan. 29, 1871; Grace Manning, born Jan. 29, 1876.
Charles Henry Parker, brother of Benjamin, came to Wolfe- borough in 1833. He afterwards spent several years in New- market. Coming to this town after his marriage, he became editor of the "Granite State News," which he conducted up to the time of his death in 1894. He married, Sept. 19, 1849, Sophia
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B. Blaisdell, of Middleton, who was born Sept. 2, 1829. His children are : Mary Abbie, born Feb. 25, 1851, married Frederick W. Prindle, has one daughter, Ada Bernice ; Frances Ann, born Dec. 6, 1853, married George F. Mathes, has one son, Charles Albert ; Alice S., born Feb. 12, 1856, married Charles C. Thomp- son ; Nettie, born May 13, 1860, married Edwin L. Furber, died Dec. 28, 1893, leaving one daughter, Alice May.
Israel B. Manning, a son of the Sarah Thurston Parker before mentioned and Ephriam Manning, was born in Newmarket in 1832. He came to Wolfeborough in 1854, and has been since that time engaged in mercantile pursuits. He married Annah N. Newell, of this town, a daughter of John Newell. Mr. Man- ning has had an active hand in the town's affairs, having been twice chosen representative, twice supervisor, three times town treasurer, four times a water commissioner, and twice moderator. As a member of the committee appointed to construct the town's water system, he was perhaps more responsible than any other man for the selection of the Beech Pond supply, a choice that experience has shown to be a wise one.
Joseph K. Manning, a brother of Israel, was for some years interested in the manufacture and retailing of shoes here.
George K. Manning, another brother, lived here, as a boy, with Daniel Whitton, Isaac Wiggin, and James Estes. He returned to the town late in life, and died here Jan. 12, 1900.
CHAPTER XXIX.
NEWSPAPERS-CARROLL COUNTY REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHED AT SOUTH WOLFEBOROUGH - CARROLL COUNTY PIONEER -CARROLL COUNTY REGISTER-GRANITE STATE NEWS -CARROLL COUNTY DEMOCRAT-SKETCH OF CHARLES H. PARKER-LAWYERS AND DOCTORS-BRIEF SKETCH- ES OF MEN FAMOUS IN THESE CALLINGS-"SQUIRE" BATCHELDER-CHARLES F. HILL-WILLIAM FOX-SEW- ALL W. ABBOTT-DOCTORS CUTTER, McNORTON, HALL TEBBETTS, PATTEE, AND KING.
S' OUTH Wolfeborough was the scene of many important events connected with the early history of the town, and here was established the first newspaper published in the county, in January. Junot J. Whitehouse was the editor, and the paper was the "Carroll County Republican." It was a four-page, six-column sheet, with considerable legal and other advertising. and was well conducted, but, like so many other ventures of this kind, it had but a short existence. In politics it was democratic, although it favored the abolition of slavery. Possibly this-for the times -- anomalous policy had something to do with its early demise.
January, 1856, saw another effort to establish a journal. John F. Roberts, a printer with experience in Boston and New York offices, gave to the world the "Carroll County Pio- neer." The office was in what was then, as now, known as the bank building. The "Pioneer" was con- ducted along practically the same lines as its predecessor, except that it was republican in politics. Mr. Roberts was an excellent printer, a hard-working, honest man of fair ability, and in spite of many obstacles, issued the paper until March, 1858,
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when he sold out to D. Warren Furber. Mr. Furber continued the publication some months, and then removed to Rochester.
Mr. Roberts had meanwhile established a job office at Ossipee, and in May, 1859, began the publication of the "Carroll County Register," which he published for nearly six years.
The "Granite State News" was started by James R. Newell, who had not then arrived at his majority, November 1, 1860, and was printed on a second-hand press, then over fifty years old. The "News" was first a six-column paper issued weekly, "at $1.00 per year, in advance, or $1.25 if paid within the year." In his "Introductory" Mr. Newell said: "It will be the aim of the publisher to make the 'News' a family paper-one which will be entertaining to all. We shall devote particular attention to the collection and publication of items of local news, in order that persons who formerly resided in this vicinity, and who have removed to other places, may, by subscribing to the 'News,' be kept informed of everything of interest that transpires in the neighborhood of their former homes."
Mr. Newell edited and personally conducted the paper until Dec. 5, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Co. I, 8th N. H. Volunteers, and left his business in charge of Charles H. Parker. Mr. Newell was the only person in the office who had a com- petent knowledge of the printing business, and his successor soon found his position anything but a sinecure. With a small subscription list, an office wanting in almost everything in the way of material, to say nothing of skilled workmen, with little advertising and less job custom, the price of stock and wages constantly increasing, it was, perhaps, as well that the new pub- lisher was uninformed as to the requirements of a successful printing and newspaper business. White paper, as an example, during war times rose in price from nine to as high as thirty-two cents per pound. The profit on the low basis of subscription would be purely imaginary.
After four years, Mr. Newell, despairing of making the paper
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self-sustaining, decided to sell if possible; if not, to discontinue. It was in the midst of the second Lincoln campaign, and Mr. Parker, thinking it would not do for the story to get about that a republican paper had died for want of support in such a crisis, purchased the establishment, increased the subscription to $1.50 per year, and bought the list of the "Carroll County Record." By putting in sixteen hours work each day himself and making typos of his girls when they should have been in the schoolroom, seven years was added to the life of the paper.
Meanwhile, some prominent democrats conceived the idea that it was necessary to establish an organ of their political faith, and guaranteed Elijah Couillard five hundred dollars in cash and a subscription list of five hundred names, if he would start such a paper. As a result, the "Carroll County Democrat" was brought forth, which ran two or three years and died of starvation. Since then, the "News" has had possession of the local field.
In 1872 the publisher of the "News" enlarged the paper to seven columns per page, and with the assistance of a friend pur- chased a Fairhaven power press. Before this purchase there had been but one press in the office for all purposes. This was the old "patent lever" purchased by Mr. Newell, which was used in the office until destroyed by the fire of May, 1899. This press was built in 1804. In December, 1879, Mr. Parker still further enlarged the "News" to its present size. New presses and ma- terial were added from time to time until a well-equipped office had been established.
Some fifteen years ago the office was removed from the bank building-after a small fire-to the B. & M. railroad building near the wharf, and since that structure was destroyed by fire, has been located at the Durgin building on North Main Street.
Associated with Messrs. Parker and Newell in the early man- agement of the paper, were I. B. Manning and Burley B. Newell, a brother of the editor. B. F. Parker did much to increase the original subscription list. Since the death of Charles H. Parker
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in 1894, the paper has been conducted by Frederick W. Prindle, Mr. Parker's son-in-law, who had for some eighteen years been associated with him in the mechanical department. Mr. Prindle disposed of the paper in 1896 to Ethelbert Baier, of Washington, D. C., but after a few months again came into possession of the property. In 1899 a stock company was formed, with Mr. Prindle as manager. The present office is well-equipped in all depart- ments, and the "Granite State News" is now an institution in the town and an influence throughout the country.
Charles Henry Parker, for many years editor of the "Granite State News," deserves more than passing mention. He was one of the old school of self-educated scholars, and from his earliest boyhood had to depend entirely upon his own unaided efforts. Mr. Parker was born in Portsmouth, May 26, 1819. When only seven years of age, he was "bound" to a farmer for seven years, but broke away at the age of eleven, continuing, however, to work on farms until he was seventeen. In 1831 he came to Wolfeborough, but, desiring to be near his mother, who needed his aid, he went to Newmarket and became an operative in a cotton factory. Up to this time his opportunities for learning had been most meagre, but he now began to employ his spare mo- ments in securing an education. He rapidly became proficient in the common and high school branches of study then taught, and after some hesitancy accepted a position offered him as teacher in a back district school in Lee. He succeeded so well that he opened a private school in Newmarket, and was soon induced to take charge of one of the village schools. This school he taught for twenty-one terms in the same room. He then taught three terms in Searsport, Me., and, coming again to Wolfe- borough, taught several terms here. Many well-known men were pupils of his in the "Old Brick Schoolhouse."
For some time his principal business in Wolfeborough was official. He was deputy-sheriff eight years, was high sheriff five years, and was twice sent to the legislature. In 1860, at Mr.
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CHARLES H. PARKER
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Newell's request, he took charge of his paper until a permanent editor was secured. For nearly thirty-five years he wielded the editorial pen.
Under his management the "News" was always aggressive in the advocacy of the right as he saw it. He did not always take the popular side of questions, perhaps not always the right side, but no one who knew him ever questioned his motive. Originally a democrat, he was one of the few who organized the Liberal- the first anti-slavery-party in this state. He afterwards acted with the Free-soil and republican parties, being a strong follower of the latter up to the time of his death. He was a Free Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Unitarian, and first, last, and all the time, a temperance worker.
Mr. Parker possessed abilities that would, under more favor- able circumstances, have given him a more than local or even state reputation. It was easier for him to be honest than to court popularity. He did much in his day for the social and moral uplifting of the community in which his lot was cast.
LAWYERS.
Wolfeborough has had in its day a goodly number of able lawyers. It is no reflection upon those of the present generation to consider the following as the bright and particular stars of the town's legal firmament.
Zachariah, or "Squire," Batchelder, as he was popularly desig- nated, was one of the marked men of his time. He was born in Beverly, Mass., in 1795, but came with his parents to Sunapee at an early age. He graduated at Dartmouth, and after some years spent in teaching and the study of law, came to Wolfe- borough and established himself in his profession. It had been his cherished hope to enter the ministry, but as time passed, and he gained more definite views of the clerical office, his natural diffidence and self-distrust led him to conclude that he was better
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adapted to some other profession. Mr. Batchelder was highly educated and was a close student of the classics throughout his life. His attainments as a lawyer were of the first order. He was, in fact, the scholar of the county. His influence was far beyond the duties of his profession. He was a vigorous debater, and the few surviving members of the "old lyceum" will remem- ber the occasion upon which he so sorely worsted young Henry Wilson that the future vice-president burst into tears. He lived a bachelor all his life and was noted for certain eccentricities in dress and manner, but his mind "a glorious kingdom was."
Joseph Farrar, a native of Vermont, came to Wolfeborough from Chelsea, Mass., where he had been admitted to practice. He was here early in the century, and after the construction of the Pickering store had his office in that building. He is remem- bered as a man of middle height and old-time courtesy of man- ner, and if he was less scholastic than Batchelder, was safe in counsel and well-posted in statute and common law. He was a doughty antagonist in court and with Mr. Batchelder controlled the legal practice of this part of the county for a long time.
Charles F. Hill was a native of Limerick, Maine. He read law with his uncle, Joshua Hill, of Frankfort, and practised a few years at Searsport. He then came to Wolfeborough and estab- lished a lucrative practice and was a leading member of the Car- roll County bar. He went to New Jersey some thirty years ago, and for many years had a law office in New York City. He died in Newark in 1889, aged sixty-seven years. He was "a lawyer of marked ability, a convincing and able advocate, and a man of high personal and professional character," in the opinion of Hon. Joel Eastman. Mr. Hill married Lavinia, a sister of Benjamin F. and Charles H. Parker, and his three children, Charles E., Frank, and Helen (Mrs. A. Baxter Mer- win), were born here. Charles E. has been state representative from Newark and president of the city council. He is also a
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lawyer of reputation, and has associated with him his son, Charles G.
William Copp Fox will go down in history as a poet, racon- teur, and nature lover rather than a lawyer, although he stood high in the legal profession. He was born in Wolfeborough, Dec. 29, 1827, and lived here until his tragic death by drowning in 1898. Mr. Fox was educated in the old Academy, Gilmanton, and Dartmouth, graduating from the college in 1852. He read law with Zachariah Batchelder and Josiah H. Hobbs, of Wake- field. He engaged in educational pursuits early in life, was prin- cipal of Wakefield Academy, and was two years school com- missioner of Carroll County. He has been president of the Wolfe- borough Savings Bank and of the Carroll County Bar Associa- tion. He acquired an orange grove in Florida and for years spent his winters there. Mr. Fox had for years a large practice and stood high in his profession. He refused to devote himself wholly to the practice of law, however, and cultivated his love for higher literature. He was a wonderfully companionable man and had great conversational gifts. He was famous as a fisherman and hunter, and was well grounded in the history and legendary lore of the locality. No man had a keener sense of the beautiful in art, nature or language.
Everett C. Banfield was a lawyer of legal attainments and scholarly tastes. He was at one time U. S. counsel in the revenue department at Washington. The latter portion of his life was spent in his native town of Wolfeborough, where he made his profession a secondary matter. He was elected state senator from this district and was frequently the spokesman for the town on public occasions. His family still make their home here.
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