History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 19

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 19

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

HORACE CLARK TOLLES.

Horace C. Tolles, son of Henry and Azubah (Nichols) Tolles, was born at Weathersfield, Vt., May 31, 1811, died at Nashua, March 21, 1878.

HORACE CLARK TOLLES.

His immigrant ancestors came from England early in the eighteenth century and settled in Connecticut. Cap- tain Henry Tolles, and four of his six sons, became pioneers at Weathersfield, Vt., sometime before the Revo- lution. Clark Tolles, one of these four sons, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in the Conti- mental army. He married Sally Proctor, by whom he had eight children, Henry, the eldest, being the father of Horace C., who married Azubah Nichols of Weathersfield.

Mr. Tolles obtained a common school education in his native town and remained there until 1832, when he came to Nashua and settled on a farm in the south-west section of the city near the Dunstable line. He was a prosperous and well-to-do farmer; a man of excellent judgment, prudent, industrious and highly regarded by the com- munity. Mr. Tolles served his ward on the board of selectmen, as highway surveyer, on the board of assessors and in other capacities. In 1862 and 1863 he represented Ward eight as a member of the board of aldermen, and in 1864 and 1865 as representative in the legislature.

Mr. Tolles was united in marriage Dec. 10, 1835, with Sopha A. Wright, daughter of Joel and Sally Wright of Westford, Mass., of which place her ancestors were early settlers and among the first families. Nine children were born of their marriage : Horace W., born April 26, 1838, married Caroline L. Newton, Nov. 7 1867; Franklin N., born July 25, 1839, married Edla F. Kempton, May 10, 1870; Henry J., born Aug. 24, 1841, married Sarah L. Davis, Oct. 24, 1867; Willard C., born May 8, 1843, married Ellen F. Kendall, Oct. 6, 1868; Hannah S., born Feb. 6, 1845, died March 10, 1866; James H., born Oct. 17, 1846, married Mary E. Cross, July 8, 1872; Sarah A., born Nov. 30, 1848, married Frank Wilkins, Oct. I, 1868, died Nov. 10, 1869; Jason E., born Jan. 5, 1852, married Sadie S. Chase, Aug. 11, 1874; Xenophon D., born March 23, 1858, married S. Jennie Eaton, July 29, 1885.

THOMAS PEARSON, Jr.

Hon. Thomas Pearson, fourth by the name in direct line of descent, was born in Tyngsboro, Mass., Dec. 25, 1820, died at Nashua, March 5, 1891. (For ancestors, see sketch of his father, Thomas Pearson, Sen.) He attended the public schools of Nashua and was fitted for college at Crosby's Literary institution; read law with Abbot & Fox, and a graduate of Harvard Law school, was admitted to the bar in 1843, and subsequently opened an office in Shattuck's building, then standing on the site of the Main street railroad station. Meanwhile, Charles J. Fox, with Samuel D. Bell, was engaged in revising and codify- ing the laws of the State, and, as Mr. Fox was in con- sumption, young Pearson assisted considerably in the work and also devoted much of his spare time to the completion of Fox's History of Dunstable. After prac- tising law awhile, the state of his health forced him to out of door work. As railroading was just coming into great prominence, he decided to take up civil engineering as a profession. His first work was with General George Stark on one division of the Concord railroad. After the completion of the work he superintended the laying of the second track of the Lowell road; worked as an engi- neer under Chief Engineer Stark, on the laying out of the Old Colony railroad to Plymouth, Mass., and on the Stony Brook railroad out of Lowell; also on the Boston, Concord & Montreal railroad. He engaged, with Harry Woods, to do the engineering and building of the Wilton road from Danforth's Corner to East Wilton; also sur- veyed, in company with his cousin, Ambrose Pearson, and built the Edgeville canal. Soon afterward he was offered and accepted the situation of engineer of the North- ern division of the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, with river line from Greenfield to Windsor, Vt .; from Nashua to Concord, on the west side of the Merrimack river ;

THOMAS PEARSON, JR.

headquarters at Wheeling, Va. Later he ran numerous railroad lines, some of which were afterward built wholly or in part; from Plymouth to Sandwich, Mass., from Franklin to Bristol on the Northern road ; from Meredith village through Centre Harbor to Conway; the Forest

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. HI.

from Groton to Winchester, Mass. ; from New Ipswich to East Wilton ; from Tyngsboro to Brookline ; from Green . field to Keene; from Nashua to Epping ; from Danforth's Corner through Amherst, Mont Vernon and Oil Mill village to New Boston to meet the Manchester & Keene road, and the Texas & Great Western railway.

Judge Pearson's profession kept him away from the city months at a time, but he always kept a home in Nashua. He entered politics early in life, was a delegate from Nashua to the first abolition convention at Concord, when there were only twenty-one delegates all told. He was appointed to succeed General Israel Hunt as judge of the police court of Nashua, and held that office until he became chief clerk of the pension office at Washington, D. C., which position he held under a part of Lincoln's and also Johnson's administrations. He held the office of justice of the peace and quorum ever after he was of age, was a trustee of the Reform school, now called State Industrial school, seven years a representative to the legislature, street commissioner when the whole city was one district, assessor, inspector of checklists and held all the ward offices of Ward seven. In secret societies he was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., of which he was master in 1860, Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter, the charter of which, with Alfred Greeley, he got renewed after its forfeiture in 1832, and of which he was king in 1857, 1858 and 1859. He held the office of excellent grand king of the Grand Chapter of New Hampshire, and was a member of Washington com- mandery, K. T., District of Columbia. Judge Pearson was a member of the Pilgrim church, had been a director of the old Olive street society and was superintendent of its Sunday school at the time of the fiftieth anniversary of its formation. He was a good story teller, a man of wide experience and of the most cordial disposition in social and business life. His memory was a storehouse of facts and incidents relative to Nashua. In a word, his life was rounded out in good living, cheerfulness, honor- able citizenship and faithful service.

Judge Pearson was three times married; first, Jan. 21, 1844, with Angeline M. Hunt, daughter of Nehemiah and Clarissa Hunt, who died Nov. 26, 1877; second, with Mrs. Carrie Weston of Medfield, Mass; third, with Hannah A. (Edgerly) Pearson, widow of his cousin, Ambrose Pear- son. Two children were born to him by his first marriage : Gertrude K., who married T. W. H. Hussey, (high school principal), of Barrington ; George Byron, (civil engineer) who married Jennie E. Wadleigh, daughter of Benjamin H. Wadleigh of Nashua.

HARVEY F. COURSER.

Colonel Harvey F. Courser was born at Thetford, Vt., in January, 1809, died in Nashua, Dec. 23, 1883. He was a son of Daniel and Lucy (Taft) Courser, both of whom were descendants of the pioneers of New Hampshire, the home of the former being at Boscawen, (with his parents) from the time he was two years of age. The place-one of the most attractive in New England in its surround- ings-has been known as Courser hill more than a hundred years.

Col. Courser was educated at Boscawen and remained at home, being employed upon his father's farm, until he was twenty-one. He then obtained employment in a store at Concord, and later was employed three years as a

United States mail agent. In 1835 he came to Nashua and entered the dry goods trade in one of the stores in the first Baptist church edifice, where he remained until he was burned out in 1818. During the next five years he was in business in Boston. Returning to Nashua, his next and last business venture was in the grocery trade with his son-in-law, the firm being William II. Greenleaf & Company, in the middle store of the Telegraph block. The firm closed out its businses in 1882, at which time he retired from active pursuits. Colonel Courser obtained his title as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. Luther MeCutchens of New London, with whom he was promi- nent in military affairs during his early manhood. Mr. Courser was not a politician in the ordinary acceptance of the term; he never aspired to public life or craved public office. Yet few men evinced greater zeal or showed more commendable interest in all · matters of politics that

HARVEY F. COURSER.

appertained to the general welfare and permanent good of his city and country. He was thoroughly patriotic in his impulses, and outspoken in his advocacy of all such principles as tended, in his judgment, to build up and strengthen the superstructure of equity and equality upon which he believed the government of his country to be founded. He was a citizen of the most social and amiable qualities who did his part in all things for the public good. He was a member of the First Congregational church, a constant attendant upon its worship, and inter- ested and intelligent participant in its society affairs and social functions, and a consistent man in everything.

Colonel Courser was united in marriage, in 1839, with Maria Estey, daughter of Jesse and Anna (Peabody) Estey. One daughter was born of their marriage: Lucy A. M., who married William H. Greenleaf.

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

JAMES WHITE.

James White was born at New Boston, March 1, 1808, died at Nashua Aug. 19, 1868. He was a son of John and Lucy (Blanchard) White. Mr. White was educated in the schools of Calais, Vt., to which place his parents removed when he was six years of age, and beyond that was a self-taught and self-made man whose general knowledge and business capacity was of the first order. After serving an apprenticeship as bridge builder he went to Manchester, where he remained for some time and met with gratify- ing success. In 1837 he located in Nashua. He then gradually extend- ed his field of oper- ation until he be- came one of the largest and most successful con- tractors and bridge builders in New England. There are many monu- ments of his work still standing. Mr. White served on the town school committee a num- ber of years, and was chairman of the board, but his occupation took him out of town a good deal and hence he was un- able to fill other public positions which were offered him. He was a substantial citizen and a true man in all the relations of life. He was a Universalist and a freemason, being a member of a lodge in Vermont. Mr. White was united in marriage June 26, 1838, with Rebecca (Moore) McConihe, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth ( Alex- ander) McConihe of Merrimack. Four children were born of their marriage: James B., born July 3, 1839, married Anna F. Davis of Bangor, Me., March 23, 1868; Edwin D., born Oct. 27, 1841, soldier and journalist, died in Nashua, March 12, 1886; Sarah Eliza, born Feb. I, 1844, married Col. Elbridge J. Copp of Nashua, died Dec. 6, 1893; Abby Sophia, born Oct. 13, 1846, died Sept. 6, 1848.

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AUGUSTUS GARDNER REED.

Augustus G. Reed, son of Joshua and Harriet (Flint) Reed, was born in Stoddard, Sept. 8, 1816, died at Nashua, July 3, 1896. (For ancestors see sketch of his brother, Elbridge G. Reed.) He was educated in the common schools of his native place, at Walpole, and at the academy at Bellows Falls, Vt. When he was in his sixteenth year he accompanied his parents in their re- moval to Rockingham, Vt., where he remained about three years, when he came to Nashua and entered the employ of Beasom & Reed, dry goods dealers, as a trav- elling salesman. Four years later he became a mem- ber of the firm, and after that was in company at different times with Chas. Crosby, his brother, Henry H., and E. A. Slader. Mr. Reed was one of the charter members of the Indian Head State bank and served on its board of directors, including service since it was a na- tional bank, forty- two years. He also served many years on the board of investment of the Nashua Savings bank and was trus- tee of the Charles T. Gill estate and guardian for the children. He was an honorable and useful citizen and conscientiously performed his duty in all things. Mr. Reed served on the board of inspectors of checklists two or three years and was a member of the board of alder- men in 1873. He was a member of the fire department twenty-nine years and held all the offices except that of chief. He was a Universalist.

Mr. Reed was twice married : first, June 21, 1843, with Eliza C. Crabtree, daughter of Lemuel Crabtree, who died in June, 1863: second, in July, 1865, Mary E. (Jones) Foster, who died April 25, 1893. No children.

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. II.

CALVIN B. HILL.

Calvin B. Hill was born at East Douglas, Mass., March 5, 1827, died at Nashua, May 9, 1889. He was a son of Micah and Sally ( Marsh ) Hill. Mr. Hill's genealogy is clearly traced through eight generations to John Hill, an English member of the Plymouth colony, who, in 1633, settled at Dorchester, Mass. He was a blacksmith, a member of the Boston Artillery company, the father of eight children and a man of good report. His children became settlers in other places in the colony, and many of their members, and also their de- scendants in later generations be- came prominent in religious, civil and military affairs. Ephriam Hill, son of Samuel and grandson of John, was the first set- tler of East Doug- las, 1721. His name frequently appears in the records of that place, (with the prefix of captain, which shows that he was among the officers of the town and transacted a good deal of its business. He died at the age of about 107 years. His son, Caleb, was a deacon in the church at East Douglas, and is mentioned in the old records as colonel, which is presumptive evi- dence that he was a soldier in the Continental army. In the next gen- eration Moses Hill, son of Caleb, is recorded as lieu- tenant, by this it may be inferred that he was also a Revolutionary sol- dier. He was a church deacon and died at the age of forty-two years. Micah, son of Moses, and father of the subject of this sketch, was an influential citizen of East Douglas, a man of uublemished character, and, like his father before him, a deacon in the church. On the ma- ternal side his genealogy is identical with the Sheffields, Marshes and other prominent Massachusetts families.

Mr. Hill attended the common schools in his native place and finished his education at the academy at East

Haddam, Conn. He left school in 1843, and the following two years were spent in Boston learning the art of a pharmacist. In 1815 he came to Nashua and formed a co-partnership with J. W. White, under the firm name of White & Hill, and from that time to 1857 conducted a prosperous business on the south corner of Main and Factory streets. In the last year mentioned he sold out his interest to Mr. White and became treasurer of the Underhill Edge Tool company, a position which he filled with credit to himself till 1883. In the meantime he

was interested in several other en- terprises and a di- rector in the Indian Head Nat'l bank, being president of that institu- tion a number of years, rendering it valuable ser- vice. Mr. Hill never aspired to public office. It was not to his taste, and, besides the time he devot- to business, was fully occupied with the trusts committed to his charge, and the care of the estate of the heirs of W. D. Beasom.

Mr. Hill was a member of the Main street M. E. church and served many years on its board of trustees, as superintendent of the Sunday- school-being the organizer of its juvenile depart- ment-and in other capacities. He was a liberal contributor for the support of preach- ing and church work, and one of the very foremost in making every- body feel at home and happy at the church socials and entertainments. In a word, Mr. Hill's career was a success in upright- ness as a business man, and in the cheerful performance of the duty men owe their fellowmen and their Creator.

Mr. Hill was united in marriage Nov. 12, 1856, to Laura A. Beasom, daughter of William D. and Laura (Hobbs) Beasom of Nashua. (For ancestors see sketch of her father). Two children were born of their marriage: William Beasom, born Feb. 7, 1858, died Sept. 26, 1877 ; Clara Baldwin, born March 9, 1862, died Jan. 30, 1866.

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

MATTHEW BARR.

Matthew Barr was born in Bedford, Nov. 16, 1821, died in Nashua, July 18, 1882. He was a son of John and Sophia (Richardson) Barr. (For ancestors see sketch of his brother, J. N. Barr).

Mr. Barr was educated in the common schools of his native place, including the high school and was graduated at Pembrook academy. When he was twenty-two years of age he came to Nashua and entered the store of Merrill & Barr as a clerk. A few years later he formed a co- partnership with William French, under the firm name of French & Barr and entered the grocery busi- ness at Manches- ter, where he re- mained two years. He returned to Nashua in 1850 and entered into part- nership with his brother, the firm being J. N. & M. Barr, the south store in the Bap- tist church edifice being the place of business. The firm did an exten- sive hardware business and upon its dissolution was continued with another brother, James, under the name of M. Barr & Co. Meanwhile the place of busi- ness was changed to Greeley block, and later to the north store in the First church edi- fice on Main street. Upon the death of James, Matthew continued alone for a while and then formed a co- partnership with James Barnard, under the firm name of Barr & Co. A few years later he sold out to James Barnard, Frank E. Kittredge and John H. Barr, who did business under the name of Barr & Co. until 1894. Upon retiring from business he traveled extensively in Europe and upon his return, in 1897, he bought out Mark W. Merrill and was engaged in the flour and grain business the two following years. Later he again retired and after that spent most of his time until death in travel.

Mr. Barr was one of the foremost members of the Pearl street Congregational church and one of the largest

contributors to its support for a number of years. He transferred his membership to the Pilgrim church when the Olive street and Pearl street churches united under that name. His relations with and to the church were those of a sincere and unostentatious Christian. Never forcing himself to the front, he was always ready to respond to any call for help to aid the advancement of the religion of Christ in whom he unhesitatingly believed and trusted as the Saviour of the world. Mr. Barr was a director in the Indian Head National bank and a trustee of the City Sav- ings bank. He was a Democrat in politics and a man of influence in his party. In 1866 he represented Ward One in the board of aldermen, and later he was once or twice the candi- date of his party for the office of mayor. He was administrator of several estates and guardian of sev- eral minors' in- heritances. In his business and social life Mr. Barr was a quiet, dignified and generous man who performed every duty in life in a conscientious manner and who, in a long residence in Nashua, won the respect and kind regards of all classes of his fel- low-citizens. In his business meth- ods he was strictly honorable and above board. His simple promise was as good as

MATTHEW BARR.

an elaborately written bond. and his business repu- tation at home and abroad was of the highest order ; his success was proportionally great. He was in fact a member of that class of men who succeed on their merits. His memory deservedly occupies a prominent page in this history.

Mr. Barr was united in marriage June 29, 1848, with Esther A. Clapp, daughter of Allen and Hannah (New- comb) Clapp of Marlboro. Her grandfather was Asa Clapp of the same place. Two daughters were born of their marriage: Eva Lillian, married John F. Stark, deceased, leaving one son, George F. Stark : Carrie E .. married John F. Stark.

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

ELBRIDGE GERRY REED.

Elbridge G. Reed, son of Joshua and Harriet (Flint) Reed, was born in Stoddard, May 28, 1810, died in Nashua Jan. 21, 1896. Ilis grandfather, Joshua Reed, son of

ELBRIDGE GERRY REED.

Joshua, born at Westford, March 6, 1763, served three years in the Revolutionary War, and after the independ- ence of the country was won settled at Stoddard; he was a pensioner. Of his large family, many have become distinguished in professions and mercantile life. Mr. Reed was educated in the common schools of his native place and at the academy in Bellows Falls, Vt. He remained on the home farm till he was eighteen years of age, and then went to Walpole, where he was employed in agricultural pursuits until he was nineteen, when he went on the road as a traveling salesman, and continued in that occupation until he was twenty-four years old. He then came to Nashua, and engaged in the dry goods trade with William D. Beasom, the firm being Beasom & Reed, during the next eleven years, after which he was in company in the same busines five years with E. A. Slader, under the firm name of Reed & Slader. After that time he gave his attention to private affairs.

Mr. Reed was one of the founders of the Indian Head bank, and was a director in it twenty-five years. He represented his ward one year in the common council, and was held in the highest respect by the community. He attended the Baptist church, and contributed liberally to its support. Mr. Reed was united in marriage May 26, 1836, with Nancy Phelps, daughter of Simeon Lakin and Rhoda (Harris) Phelps of Nashua. Two children were born of their marriage : Abby M., born in Nashua, April

27, 1838, married, in May, 1864, Dr. J. W. Bedee of Auburn, Me .; Helen Delia, born in Nashua, Sept. 22, 1842, married Sept. 22, 1868, William H. Baldwin, New York, civil engineer.

FRANKLIN MUNROE.

Franklin Munroe was born at Lexington, Mass., Aug 31, 1805, died at Nashua, Sept. 18, 1873. He was a descendant of William Munroe, who was born in Scotland in 1625 and came to America in 1682. The family settled at Lexington. The descent is William, Jr., Philemon, who, being a lieutenant in the enrollment of Minute men, participated in the first engagement in the Revolution at Lexington common, and Thomas Munroe, father of the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Munroe was educated in the schools of his native place. In 1827 he became a resident of Nashua, and for some time after was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was a stirring citizen, whose influence was felt in many directions and who held many responsible positions among his fellow citizens. Mr. Munroe served the town, and later the city, in many capacities, and was identified with the militia and fire department, being a commissioned officer in the Lafayette Light infantry and foreman of an engine company. He also held the offices of assessor, town clerk, selectman, alderman, moderator, surveyor of highways, many years as a member of the school com- mittee, and was chief engineer of the fire department twenty years. In 1861 he was nominated for the office of mayor, and in a three days' contest, (a majority vote being required to elect at that time), was defeated by Col. George Bowers. Mr. Munroe was an active member of the First Congregational church, and for several years was treasurer of the society and superintendent of its Sunday school. He was also president of a temper- ance society and of Bethonian society. In 1849 he gave up mercantile pursuits and became treasurer of the Nashua Iron and Steel company, which position he held until his death. Meantime, he served as president of the Verd Antique Marble company and Nashua Lock com- pany. Mr. Munroe was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., and his body was buried in the Nashua cemetery with the rites of the order, the grand master of the state officiating. He was a man of magnificent physique, of cheerful and hopeful disposition, of unaf- fected and loyal companionship, and a conspicuous Nashuan, who had the good will of the whole community. It may be added, without injustice to any of the societies of which Mr. Munroe was a member, that it is in the fire department that his name will go down to posterity. One of the companies has a fine oil painting of him and the story of musters and anecdotes, in which he was a moving factor, are told and retold and passed along from gener- ation to generation until they become legendary. Take him for all and all, and considering the bon homme of his nature and the cordiality of his greeting, he was a man who filled a large place in the hearts of the Nashuans who were the pride of the early days in the gate city.

Mr. Munroe was united in marriage Aug. 19, 1826, with Mary R. Bell of Boston. One son was born of their mar- riage : Franklin Otis Munroe, born in Boston, Nov. 9, 1827, married Harriet Hosmer in May, 1849, Eliza A. White in June, 1869, and Mary Edson in May, 1890. No children.

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History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 19

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