History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 15

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 652

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 15

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JESSE BOWERS.

Hon. Jesse Bowers was born at Chelmsford, Mass., Nov. 12, 1785, died at Nashua, June 22, 1854. He was the youngest of seven sons of William and Hannah (Kidder) Bowers, whose ancestors were among the first settlers of Chelmsford and Billerica, Mass.

Mr. Bowers obtained such schooling as possible in the public schools of his native place and then attended an academy at Concord, Mass. He came to Nashua in 1800, and after his marriage resided in what was known at the time as the Gen. Noah Lovewell house, which is still standing, having been moved a few feet east of its original foundation to make room for the manufactory of the American Shearer company. Of the industrious and busy men in Nashua in the days of small beginnings he was one of the best known and most influential. He was one of the builders and owners of the Taylor's falls toll-bridge, a director in the Nashua State bank and Nashua & Lowell railroad, an incorporator in the Nashua Literary institu- tion, and its first president; and also engaged in managing his farm and settling estates in the capacity of administrator. Mr. Bowers represented the town in the legislature from 1816 to 1824, was a member of the senate from 1826 to 1828, and deputy sheriff of the county from 1840 to the time of his death. He was also a moving factor in town affairs and was identified with many local enterprises that resulted beneficially to his fellow-citizens. He was prominent in the Unitarian church, and a man in whom the public placed implicit confidence.

Mr. Bowers was twice married. His first wife was Betsey Lovewell, daughter of Gen. Noah and Mary (Farwell) Lovewell: second, Laura Fletcher of Lowell. . Six children were born of his first marriage of whom only one is living : Mrs. Bedel, widow of Gen. John Bedel of Bath. The children of his second marriage were: Laura Maria, born at Nashua, March 12, 1839, married George O. Whiting of Wilton, May 1, 1865, and now residing in Lexington, Mass. : Clara Adelia, born at Nashua, July 22, 1841, married Frank A. Mckean of Nashua, June II, 1863.

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

WILLIAM BOARDMAN.

Col. William Boardman was born at Haverhill, Mass., Dec. 15, 1787, died at Nashua, Oct. 17, 1856. He was a son of Thomas and Ann (Noyes) Boardman, and a

JESSE BOWERS.

descendant of William Boardman who was born in Cam- bridge, England, in 1614, came to America in 1638 and settled at Saugus, Mass., where he died March 25, 1685. The descent was William, 1614, William, 1657, William, about 1700, Thomas, 1744, William, 1787. William, 1614, had a family of eight children and their descendants have become prominent in public life and honored resi- dents of many states in the Union.

Colonel Boardman was educated in the public and private schools of his day and thoroughly qualified him- self as a civil engineer. He remained in his native place and followed his profession until in 1823, when he came to Nashua and entered the service of the Nashua Manufac- turing company, and to him belongs the credit of locating the company's canal, mill buildings and tenement blocks.

He was a Whig in politics and a strong party man, and represented Nashville in the legislature in 1843. In religious belief he was a Unitarian. He was one of the original promoters of the Indian Head state bank. Colonel Boardman was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., and served it as worshipful master in 1830.

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Colonel Boardman was united in marriage Oct. 3, 1810, with Anna Webster, daughter of David and Mary (Conant) Webster of Haverhill, Mass. The children born of this marriage were: William, who died in New York in 1891; Charles and Henry, both residing in New York; Mary W., married Josiah G. Graves, M. D., of Nashua, died 1893; Frances, married Charles W. Hol- brook of Athol, Mass .; Jane N., married William D. Beasom of Nashua.

AMBROSE PEARSON.

Major Ambrose Pearson, son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Farmer) Pearson, (for ancestors see sketch of his father), was born at Londonderry, July 19, 1819; died at Wilton, July 23, 1876. He was educated in the common schools of his native place and the New Hampton institution. In 1825 he became a resident of Nashua, and from that time until 1848 was identified with many of the enterprises that developed its resourses and gave it prominence as a manufacturing center. His profession was that of a civil engineer, and, in the construction of many of the railroads in the New England and Western states, he had charge of stone masonry, of which he became an expert whose su- perior skill and judgment were inc onstant demand in great undertakings. After leaving Nashua he resided at Quincy, Mass., St. Albans, Vt., Marietta, O., Antioch, Il1., Lowell, Mass., Putnam, Conn., Vineland, N. J., and Wil- ton, all the changes being made necessary by reason of his profession. In early life he was interested in military matters and held various commissions, including that of major. In 1856 and 1857 he was mayor of Antioch, Il1., and in other places where he resided he was prominent in civil affairs and in society. Major Pearson was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., Nashua. He was a man of the most genial and companionable temperment, widely known and highly regarded by friends and ac- quaintances. At the time of his death, which was sudden, he was engaged in surveying a route for a railroad between Greenfield and Keene. His body was buried in the Nashua cemetery.

Major Pearson was united in marriage June 13, 1848, with Mary R. White of Quincy, Mass., who died Aug. 2, 1853. His second marriage, which occured March 8, 1855, was with Hannah A. Edgerley, daughter of Samuel J. and Elizabeth (Bickford) Edgerley of Barnstead. Five child- ren were born to him : by his first marriage, Mary M., at St. Albans, Vt., Aug. 19, 1849, married J. A. McCrillis,

AMBROSE PEARSON.

Oct. 9, 1873; by his second marriage, Carrie W., at An- tioch, Il1., Sept., 1856, married J. W. Smith, Nov. 20, 1876 ; Fred S., at Lowell, July 3, 1861, married Mabel Ward, Feb. 5, 1886; Walter A., at Putnam, Conn., July 3, 1869.

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

JOHN CLIFTON LUND.

John C. Lund was born in Nashua, Jan. 28, 1821 ; died at Nashua, Jan. 14, 1896. He was a son of Clifton and Rebec- ca (Carleton ) Lund of Old Dunstable. His immigrant ancestor on the paternal side was Thomas Lund, born in 1660, and among the first settlers in Dunstable, whose genealogy is traced to William DuLund whose name ap- pears, 1313, on a list of over 400 persons who were par- doned by the King of England for participating in the rebellion. The American descent is Thomas, 1660, William, 1686, Wil- liam, 1717, John, 1749, Clifton, 1784, and John C., 1821. They were all wor- thy men and with their brothers in each generation were among the bravestof the brave Indian fightersand soldiers in the ear- ly history of Dun- stable; they were citizens of influ- enceand character. Thomas Lund, the oldest son of the original settler, was killed Sept. 5, 1724, with some others while fight- ing Indians near Nashua; William Lund was taken captive in the same fight and carried to Canada where he was afterwards ransomed. Major John Lund, grand- father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was at the battle of Bunker Hill, while other de- scendants have sustained the hon- or of the flag in all the wars of the country and adorned the professional and industrial occupations of men. On the maternal side he is a descendant of Timothy and Rebecca (Field) Carleton, both of whom were from families of worthy people.

Mr. Lund was educated in the district schools of Dun- stable and at Crosby's Nashua Literary institution. When he was twenty years of age he went out into the world to seek his fortune. He settled at Cabotville, now Chicopee, Mass., and during the next six years was employed in the Dwight cotton mill. In 1848 he went to Victory, (a set- tlement in Saratoga, N. Y.,) in charge of cotton mill

machinery, made in Chicopee. He set up the machinery, and operated the mill five years. In 1853 he went to Bellevue, Ohio, and took a contract to build seven miles of the Cleveland, Norwalk & Toledo railroad. He com- pleted his contract in 1855 and then went to Milwaukee, Wis., and engaged in the sale of a patent atmospheric belt for flour mills. In 1857 he returned to Chicopee and for the next two years was employed as overseer of two cotton mills. The year 1859 found him at Augusta, Ga., in charge of the Augusta cotton factory of which his brother-

JOHN C. LUND.

in-law, Francis Coggin, was the agent. The Civil War broke out in 1861, and, it being an uncomfortable place for a Union man, he immedi- ately returned to Nashua. In 1862 and 1863 he was employed in the armory at Spring- field, and after that for a short time in the Flor- ence Sewing ma- chine manufactory at Florence, Mass., and the Weed sew- ing machine shop at Nashua. His last venture was the White money- drawer patent. He purchased the half interest of A. O. Miles, later bought White out. He manufactured and sold drawers four or five years, made some money and sold out. Since then he has man- aged his farm on the Lowell road and engaged ex- tensively in the real estate busi- ness.

No citizen was better liked among social Nashuans than Mr. Lund. He carried sunshine with him wherever he went and was democratic in all his ways and dealings. When at Chicopee he was made an Odd Fellow in St. John's lodge, but on his return to that place from the West he found that the charter had been given up and so he never applied for re-instatement in the order. He was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt council of Masters and St. George Commmandery, K. T. He was also a Scottish Rite Mason of the 32d degree. Mr. Lund was a Unitarian and a single man.

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

BENJAMIN PETTENGILL MOORE.

Benjamin P. Moore was born in Old Dunstable, now Nashua, March 10, 1806, died at Nashua, Jan. 20, 1889. He was son of Thomas and Polly (Pettengill) Moore, and a grandson of Asa Moore, who died at his farm in the south part of the city in 1822. Their ancestors were early settlers in this section of New England. They were a hardy and industrious race who did their full share in laying deep and secure the foundation of religious and civil liberty. The subject of this sketch settled, fol- lowing his mar- riage, on what is known in this generation as Highland farm. He set the elm trees there that have become an attraction to trav- ellers in 1832, and shortly after re- moved to the Har- bor. His mother, who died in 1813, was the first per- son buried in the Old South church- yard.

Mr. Moore was educated in the public schools of the place and be- came one of its best known citi- zens. His occupa- tion was that of a wheelwright. He worked steadily at his trade until 1847, when he gave up the business and went to Boston where he engaged in trucking until 1852. He then re- turned to Nashua and though he had a stabling business in Chariestown, Mass., he spent the rest of his life here. Mr. Moore was one of the founders of the Univer- salist society and the only survivor of the original members who attended its fiftieth anniversary in 1885. He held many positions of honor and political trust in the town. In the city he served as a member of the common council in 1857 and 1858, and on the board of aldermen in 1859, 1860, 1861, 1868 and 1870. In 1862 he represented his ward in the legislature. Mr. Moore was a member of the first board of trade and deeply interested in every thing calculated to promote the industrial interest of the city and thereby aid the laboring man. In

early life he was quite a musician. He was a member of the brass band that escorted Lafayette into Concord on the occasion of his visit to New Hampshire. Mr. Moore was also interested in the military and was a member of the Nashua Artillery company at the time of its march to Bunker Hill in 1842. During the latter part of his life he was a trustee for a short time in the Mechanics Savings bank. Mr. Moore was a man of sterling character and strict probity. He lived a long and useful life.

Mr. Moore was united in marriage Feb. 2, 1830, with Roxana Spalding, daughter of Solo- mon and Martha (McClure) Spald- ing of Merrimack. ( For ancestors see sketch of Solo- mon Spalding of Nashua). Mrs. Moore died Oct. 25, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Moore cele- brated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage in 1880, the event be- ing more notice- able from the fact that all their chil- dren and grand- children and two who attended their wedding were present. Six chil- dren were born of their marriage : Charles P., born Aug. 14, 1832, died March 23, 1834 ; Ellen A., born July 28, 1835; Martha A., born Nov. IO, 1837, married Levi W. Goodrich of Lunenburg, Mass .; John Francis, born Nov. 30, 1838, died March 4, 1845; Mary Ella Spald- ing, born Feb. 28, IS48; Lucinda Reed, born in Charlestown. Mass., January

BENJAMIN PETTENGILL MOORE.

19, 1850, died September 12, 1853.

THOMAS J. LATON.

Thomas J. Laton was born in Nashua in 1815, died in Nashua, in the same house in which he was born, in 1879. He was a son of Capt. Thomas Laton, a sketch of whose career appears in this work, and Kezia ( McKean) Laton, who was born in Merrimack and was a descendant of the McKeans who came from "ye north of Ireland", being Scotch-Irish, and settled in Londonderry in 1719.

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. II.

Mr. Laton was educated in the public schools of Nashua. Ile was one of the largest owners of real estate on the north side of the river and during a long, active and honorable career followed the business of purchasing and slaughtering cattle for the markets of Nashua and vicin- ity. His business was large and of a fluctuating character, and the confidence reposed in him by the farmers of Hills- borough county -and no man was ever more worthy of the confidence of the people-was such that times without number they delivered their stock to him with- out bargaining in the matter of price, knowingthatwhen dressed the return in cash would be to the last penny the market would afford him to pay. He gave credit to struggling men of small capital, and by so doing, and adding words of encouragement, helped many a worthy man into a paying business. It is true that 110w and then a few men proved un- worthy of his con- fidence and sub- jected him to loss, but for all that he continued stead- fast in his sympa- thy for his fellow- men to the end of his life. He was a man of democratic simplicity in do- mestic life ; of the most attractive so- cial characteris- tics; of generous impulses and un- faltering friend- ship. Mr. Laton served the town of Nashville on its board of select- men, but he had no taste for public life and therefore declined further honors from party associates. In early life he held a commission as captain of a militia company, and later in life was a trustee in the City Savings bank. He was a member of Granite lodge, I. O. O. F., and attended the Unitarian church.

THOMAS J. LATON.

Mr. Laton was united in marriage in 1842 with Abigail W. Edson, daughter of Asa R. and Theodotia (Cutler) Edson of Rockingham, Vt. Three sons were born of his marriage : Albert T., 1843, married Georgie Ebert of Lowell; Frank D., 1845, married Effie M. Wood of Wash- ington; Charles E., 1847.

LEONARD WHITE NOYES.

Col. Leonard W. Noyes was born at Canaan Jan. 14, 1779: died at Nashua, March 18, 1867. He was the fourth son in a family of nine children of Moody and Anna (Pike) Noyes. His paternal ancestor in this country was Ed- ward Noyes, a graduate of Oxford college, Eng., who came to America in 1630, settled at Newbury, Mass., and became one of the principal men of this section, being prominent in educational circles and in public affairs. On the maternal side he was a descend- ant of the Pikes, a hardy race of men who have been conspicuous in this state for many generations, who have represented the people in both branches of con- gress, followed the fortunes of the flag in war, preached the gos- pel, adorned the professions, and graced the com- mon walks of life.

Col. Noyes at- tended the com- mon schools of his native place and was given an aca- demic education. When seventeen years of age he went to Boston and entered theemploy of William Green- leaf, and soon after took charge of Mr. Greenleaf's busi- ness on Long wharf. In 1823 he came to Nashua, then Dunstable, where he remained until his death. His business was principally that of a manufacturer. Among the enter- prises in which he engaged was the manufacture of mortise locks. He estab- lished the first manufactory in this country on Water street, Nashua, and by good judgment and sagacity devel- oped it till it became incorporated as the Nashua Lock company, which, under his management, gave steady em- ployment to more than one hundred men. He was the first exhibitor of this class of wares at the Mechanics' ex- hibition in Boston, and, according to the newspapers of that day, was given credit as the founder of this branch of American industry. Col. Noyes was also one of the promoters of the first sewing machine enterprise in this

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

country, the machine having been invented by Elias Howe, then a Nashua mechanic; and it is also to his credit that he invested money in the Nashua Watch company and did all in his power to keep that business-which was re- moved to Waltham to the building up of that place into a prosperous city -intact here. More than this Col. Noyes' farsightedness made him a believer in Nashua's future to the degree that he built Noyes block, which, at that time, was considered by more conservative citizens a hazardous enterprise. Colonel Noyes was an old line Whig, and a a warm political friend of Daniel Webster, whom he often entertained at his home in Nashua. During his early life in Nashua he took an active part in the councils of his par- ty, held public of- fice and represent- ed Nashua in the legislature in 1840 and again in 1843, when he vigorous- ly but unsuccess- fully opposed the division of the town. He was chairman of the committee that built the town house, known to- day as the City Hall, and in 1850 . was a member from Nashua of the con- stitutional con- vention, serving as chairman of the committee on the bill of rights. Colo- nel Noyes, how- ever, had become so disgusted with the action of the democratic major- ity in dividing Nashua for parti- san purposes that he eschewed politi- cal preferment and never afterwards, with the exception of the constitutional convention, could he be persuaded to accept public office, it being a matter of record that he was chosen to represent his ward in the first city government but never qualified, and also that he declined to be a candidate for the mayoralty.

LEONARD W. NOYES.

While in Boston Colonel Noyes attended St. Paul's church. When he came to Nashua there was no Episcopal church or mission here, therefore he identified himself with the Olive street Congregational church, and afterwards became an active member. He was one of the founders, in 1847, of the Pearl street Congregational church, of which

Rev. Leonard Swain was the first pastor, and was one of its pillars and foremost supporters till the day of his death. His memory is kept green in the Pilgrim church, successor of the two churches mentioned, by a beautiful memorial window. In his early life he was an active worker in the order of free masonry. He joined St. John's lodge, Boston, in 1820, and was senior warden of Rising Sun lodge, Nashua, in 1828, and worshipful master in 1829. Colonel Noyes also took an interest in military affairs and was at one time colonel commanding the fifth regi- ment. Shortly be- fore his death, on the evening of March 1, 1865, Colo- nel and Mrs. Noyes gave a reception, the eventsof which are among the pleasantest recol- lections of many of his friends and acquaintances who are still living. The printed pro- gram of the event was headed "Mem- ories and reminis- cences of forty years: associat- tionsofalifetime," and the names of the invited guests show that rich and poor alike were re- membered for both Colonel and Mrs. Noyeswereexceed- ingly democratic in their hearts and in their regard for the people. "He was the poor man's friend," says the Nashua Gazette at the time of his death. "No ap- peal was made to him in vain. The respect and esteem in which he was held in the com- munity was prac- tically shown by a great number of citizens who were present and participated in his funeral obsequies. As the procession moved through the streets to the tomb the bells were tolled, stores were closed, busi- ness suspended and many buildings were draped in mourning. Sadness and gloom pervaded the city." The exercises took place in the Pearl street church. Rev. Dr. Richards, Rev. Dr. Swain and Rev. Dr. Parsons officiated in the religious services, and Rising Sun lodge, William Barrett, worshipful master, performed the last rites of the order. His body was buried in the Nashua cemetery and a handsome monument was erected there to his memory.

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. II.

Colonel Noyes was united in marriage Christmas day, 1825, with Ann Sewall Gardner, daughter of John Gardner of Leominster, Mass. She was a lineal descendant of Rich- ard Gardner, one of the Pilgrim fathers who came over in the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth rock, Dec. 22, 1620. Dorothy Quincy, the wife of Gov. John Hancock of Massachusetts was her great-aunt. Her family was con- nected by marriage with several of the old colonial fami- lies, and Henry J. Gardner, governor of Massachusetts in 1854 and 1855, was her cousin. Francis Gardner, who was the distinguished head master of the Boston latinschool for upwards of for- ty years, was also her cousin. She diedat Nashua July 29, 1889. Three children were born of their marriage : Elizabeth, born at Nashua, July 4, 1829, died at the age of two years ; George Henry, born at Nashua, March 19, 1831, a distinguished sur- geon in the War of the Rebellion, died at Nashua, Dec. IO, 1881 ; Frank Gard- ner, born at Nash- ua, July 6, 1833, graduated from Union college in of 1853, law school at Harvard uni- versity, class of 1856, and a colonel in the Union army during the war, still living : resid- ing in the Noyes block, on Main street ; he abun- dantly sustains the reputation of his distinguished father for liber- ality and hospi- tality. A sketch of his life appears in this volume.

JOHN REED.

John Reed was born at Westford, Mass., Aug. 9, 1805, died at Nashua, Nov. 27, 1887. He was a son of John and Sally (Wight) Reed, who moved to South Merrimack in 1824 and engaged in farming near the pond that has since borne their name. On the paternal side he was of the best stock in Massachusetts, descendants of which have kept the name honored in the professions and general occupations of men. His paternal grandfather was Nahum Wight. a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War

and engaged in battle at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. The Reeds of South Merrimack were frugal industrions and highly honored by the townspeople, Mr. Reed obtained a district school education in his youth, and by observation and application in early manhood became a well informed and capable merchant. He came from the farm to Nashua in 1836 and formed a co-partnership with Solomon Spalding under the firm name of Reed & Spalding. The firm dealt in West India goods and groceries. In 1840 Charles Lovejoy succeeded Mr. Spalding in the business and from that time till 1852 the firm was Reed & Lovejoy, when he sold out to Mr. Lovejoy. Two years later he purchased the Kendrick grocery store at No. I Main street and again entered with Mr. Lovejoy, and so continued until 1868, when he sold out and retired from business.

Mr. Reed never aspired to office or held any except of minor importance in the town of Nashville. He was, however, in his youth an en- thusiastic militia- man and one of the original mem- bers of the Nashua Artillery com- pany, in which he held several com- missions, includ- ing that of captain. He was one of the promoters of the Wilton railroad and served as a director in the company 35 years. He was also a di- rector for many years in the Indian Head bank. Mr. Reed was twice married : first, Dec. I, 1831, Lucinda Spalding, daughter of Solomon and Martha (McClure) Spalding of Merrimack. Mrs. Reed died July 16, 1850 : second, Aug. 18, 1852, Hannah Fulton, daughter of James and Hannah (Faulkner) Fulton of Deering. His children by his first marriage were: Martha Ann, born Nov. 19, 1832, died Nov. 16, 1834; Andrew, born Feb. 8, 1835, died March 5, 1837; John S., born June 15, 1837, died Oct. 8, 1838; Ann L., born June 16, 1842, died Aug. 22, 1854; by his second marriage, John Fulton, born April 8, 1855, died Feb. 4, 1875.

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

THOMAS CHASE.

Thomas Chase was born at Dunbarton, March 16, 1798, died in Nashua, July 3, 1885. He was a son of Robert and Sarah (Hawes) Chase, both of whom were descendants of the early settlers of that part of Merrimack county where they resided. The former was born Dec. 3, 1768, died Nov. 6, 1838: the latter born March 1, 1773, died Dec. 31, 1860. Mr. Chase obtained a common school education in his native town and in after years im- proved upon it by private study and observation, so that in his day there were few bet- ter informed men on topics of gen- eral interest and none who sur- passed him in business knowl- edge. He came to Nashua in 1823. His first contract was to fell the for- est on the land now occupied by the mills and boarding house of the Nashua Manu- facturing com- pany. Meantime he subscribed to the stock of the company that built the Wash- ington house, noted hostelry that stood on the site of Noyes block, and was employed in its erection. Upon its completion he became its first landlord, and it was during his management of the hotel that Gen- eral Jackson, the hero of New Or- leans and the pres- ident of the United States, visited New Hampshire, and was his guest. He retired from hotel life after several years of popular service as a caterer, and engaged in the manufacturing and sale of carriages, a business in which he continued more or less interested during the rest of his life.

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History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 15

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company Number of Pages: 652

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 652