History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 52

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 52

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John Flynn,

John H. White,*

Marshall L. Grant,*

Elijah Wallace,

David Amey,

Isaac Grace, *

Harvey Wade,

Henry Albert,

William Gould, Jr.,

George W. Woods,

Kinsman Avery,

Sanford Gardner,

Thomas J. Wiser,

Chandler Averill,

Albert Knapp,

Nelson B. Woodward,

James Andrews,

Nathan W. King,*

John Webster,

Robert A. Brown,

Joseph E. Little,

George Welch,

Benjamin Bean,

Aaron G. Lane,

James Williams,

William Burns,

Lorenzo D. Montgomery,*

Nathaniel W. White,*

John Boudle,

Alfred Noyes,*

Solon B. Collins,* +

Charles Clement,*+

All of the men who are named in the foregoing roll enlisted between March 25 and May 17, 1847, and term of their enlistment was "during the war." The name of Caleb J. Emery of Nashua is not given in the foregoing roll, but there is no doubt that he served in company H and was commissioned as a lieutenant. The New England regiment, in which most of the men from Nashua served, formed a part of the army under Gen. Winfield Scott that fought in all the engagements that culminated with a blaze of glory in the capture of the City of Mexico, which practically brought the war to an end. In the attack of the enemy on the heights of Contreras, at Churubusco, at Molino del Rey and the castle of Chapultepec, all of which were fought not only against greatly superior numbers of the enemy, but also against strongly fortified positions, the determined valor of Nashua soldiers was illustrated.

At Molino del Rey, which was defended not only by its own guns but also by those of the castle of Chapultepec, the attack was made September 8, and the division under General Worth was hard pushed. General Scott rode up to General Pierce, who was at the right of the Ninth regiment, and ordered him to go to the relief of General Worth at once. This order was obeyed, and the Ninth and Second infantry moved up under General Pierce by a happy manœuvre in the face of fifteen thousand of the enemy and under a most destructive fire. The enemy's works were carried at the point of the bayonet, but it was a bloody and dearly bought victory costing the life of many a gallant soldier. Among those severely wounded was Lieut. John G. Fostert of Nashua. The castle on the heights of Chapultepec commanded the City of Mexico, and, on September 12, four days after the capture of Molino del Rey, the Mexicans still retained possession of that castle and city. On the twelfth our army commenced the bombardment of the castle and heights of Chapultepec. During this bombard- ment, General Pierce, at the head of the First and Fourth brigades, gallantly held in check a large body of lancers on our left.

At about eight o'clock on the morning of September 13, the charge by order of General Pillow, commenced under the command of Colonel Ransom of the Ninth regiment, and in half an hour the stars and stripes were waving over the castle of Chapultepec. The two New Hampshire companies that behaved with their usual gallantry were commanded respectively by Lieut. George Bowers and John H. Jackson, who, on this as on other occasions, proved themselves worthy sons of the "Old Granite State." During the night following the surrender of the castle of Chapultepec, a deputation from the city councils of the City of Mexico, visited General Scott and informed him that Santa Anna, with his army, had marched out of the city. On the morning of September 14, the stars and stripes floated in triumph over the national palace. The army of the United States thus gained possession of the capitol of Mexico and dictated terms of peace in the " halls of the Montezumas."

A number of Nashua men served in the United States navy in the war with Mexico. Of such the compiler has been able to learn the names of but few. The following are the names of those that have been reported from sources believed to be authentic : Edward P. Whitney, John G. Smith, (who

* All those men having a * affixed to their names are carried on the rolls as having enlisted from Nashua.

+ The name of Solon B. Colling and Charles Clement, both of Nashua, do not appear on this roll, but they were in the war and probably in this company. Charles Clement died as a prisorer of war in Mexico; he was a brother of Luther Clement, late of Nashua, deceased,

# See biographical sketch.

William W. Welch.

William F. Bailey,

Bernard McClusley,

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

shipped as Andrew Brown), Asa D. Kimball, Sidney Hildreth, Dorus Seavey, Benjamin Warren, Henry V. Warren. Doubtless there are omissions of names of Nashua men who served in this war, both in the army and navy, but repeated appeals through the public press have failed to obtain any others than those named in this chapter.

The compiler, in closing his chapter of the history, claims without fear of contradiction, that men from the territory now embraced within the limits of Nashua, from the time of the earliest troubles with the Indians, and certainly before the year 1670, down to the War of the Great Rebellion, 1861- 1865, have shown qualities of patriotism and valor unexcelled in the world's history. Men from New Hampshire were the first who struck at Fort William and Mary near Portsmouth and precipitated the Revolutionary War. They burned the first powder at Bunker Hill, when New Hampshire furnished the men and Massachusetts the ground. It was the New Hampshire militia who struck Burgoyne the first blow ; it was old John Linton who gave him the first black eye; at Trenton, it was New Hamp- shire men who led Washington's advance; poor bare-footed men who left their tracks of blood over long steps of that journey. In the Mexican War none were more distinguished than New Hampshire men, among whom may be named without invidiousness Col. George Bowers and Lieut. John G. Foster, both of Nashua and both of whom were brevetted for gallantry in that war. The first man killed in the War of the Rebellion was a New Hampshire man in a Massachusetts uniform (Sixth Massachusetts at Baltimore), and in the War of the Rebellion none showed more patriotism nor greater heroism than those from New Hampshire who shed their blood in defence of the integrity of the federal union in almost every battle from Fort Sumter to Appomattox.

Frana Solares.

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

DANA WILLIS KING.

Col. Dana W. King, twin brother of Dean W. King, M. D., of Boulder, Colo., was born at Alstead, June 29, 1832. He is a descendant of William King of Langdon, and

DANA W. KING.

Capt. William King of Alstead, who were among the early settlers of that region, the last named being promi- nent in the militia of that day, and, to some extent, an actor in the anti-masonic troubles of his time. Colonel King was educated in the public schools of his native town and at the age of nineteen sought his fortune in Boston. At the end of two years' em- ployment in a grocery store, in 1852, he shipped as a sailor on a whaleboat and was about ready to sail from East Boston when his twin brother persuaded him to take "French leave." He wandered to Detroit, Mich., where he had kinsmen, secured a clerkship in a grocery store, and remained until November of that year, when he came to Nashua, whither his parents had come shortly before. He then entered the employ of Josephus Baldwin, manufacturer of bobbins and shuttles. He remained here, being employed in several mechanical pursuits and was conspicuous in the fire department of that day until the spring of 1854, when he was seized with the western fever. The country was ex- cited over the outlook of fame and fortune in Kansas and Nebraska, and the colonel, being at that age when men seek both, journeyed thither. He spent two and a half years in the country mentioned

and experienced all the ups and downs and hair-breadth escapes incidental to an unsettled country, including friendly and unfriendly relations with the wandering savages of the plains. Having had enough of this sort of life, he returned to Nashua and obtained employment in the repair shop of the Nashua Manufacturing com- pany, where, although, as he says, he did not develop first-class talent, he was the one man for great emergen- cies and undertakings that required nerve.

The uprising of the north in 1861 found him at the bench. He, however, recognized that his opportunity to make a career for himself had come. The fighting blood which flowed in him was roused. He enlisted in company F, First regiment, New Hampshire volunteers, and served with credit in the three months' campaign that opened the War of the Rebellion. He returned to the state with his command, but had not had enough of war. Corporal King, for that was his rank in the First, resumed his uniform, and enlisted in the Eighth regiment volun- teers, and was commissioned second lieutenant of com- pany A. The regiment was assigned to Gen. Benjamin F. Butler's New Orleans expedition, and sailed from Boston to Ship Island, at the mouth of the Mississippi river. The colonel was in New Orleans after its capture and served in the engagements in which his regiment partici- pated. In fact he was in nearly all the battles and skirmishes of the Department of the Gulf and was promoted to a captaincy for meritorious conduct in the face of the enemy. He had a horse shot under him in Banks' Red river expedition and was wounded and taken prisoner at the Sabine Cross Roads on April 8, 1864. The hardship and suffering which he endured during the next seven months in the prison at Shreveport, La., and in the stockade at Tyler, Tex., from which place, with other comrades, he made his escape only to be recaptured and suffer other hardships and indignities in punishment for his attempt to get free, were such as to cause the death of many another veteran. The story of this experience of his life is a book in itself. Following his exchange, when

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RESIDENCE OF DANA W. KING.

he certainly was an object of pity, he rejoined his regi- ment at Natchez, Miss., and at the close of the war, Nov.

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

8, 1865, came home in command of the veteran battalion of the Eighth with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, being the only remaining officer of those originally commis- sioned for the regiment, who was in the line when it left the state.

Since those days the colonel has been a prominent and active citizen of Nashua, and one of the foremost of those who have sought to give the city a good name and develop its resources. He was elected register of deeds for Hills- borough county in 1868, by the Republican party, and although that ticket has been frequently defeated through the past decades, he has been invariably re-elected and still holds that office. He is an expert in examining land titles and his time is fully taken up in that occupation. Colonel King was an alternate to the Republican National convention at Chicago in 1888, and a delegate to the Republican National convention at Minneapolis in 1892.

Colonel King makes no claim to the honors of an orator. He is a talker, both interesting and humorous, and has made more than twenty-five memorial addresses in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, counseled the boys at a hundred campfires, lectured to schools, made a few politi- cal speeches, and told many an agricultural and horticul- tural meeting what he knows, and often times what he doesn't know, about tilling the soil, propagating fruit trees, vines, bushes and flowers. The colonel resides on Concord street in a handsome house built in 1879. Con- spicuous upon the outer wall of his castle, in enduring granite and blazoned in gold, is the corps badge of the Army of the Gulf; vines creep to the coving and the latch-string is ever out to comrades and friends. The colonel is not of that class of mortals who have their good days and their bad days. With him all days are alike, and whether it rains or shines, snows or blows; whether he is under the weather from old army troubles, or some company in which he has invested has sought the court of insolvency, is cheerful and hopeful. He enjoys the peace and comfort that by reason of the dangers he has passed, the hardships and privations he experienced in battles and in prisons, he is entitled to.

The colonel is a member of Rising Sun lodge. A. F. and A. M., Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt council, St. George commandery, K. T., and is a Scottish Rite Mason of the 32d degree, being a member in the Valley of Nashua ; also a member of the Loyal Legion and John G. Foster post, G. A. R. He has been treasurer of the New Hampshire Veterans' association since its organi- zation in 1877. In the matter of creed he is a Universalist.

Colonel King was married in Nashua in September, 1857, to Jennie L. Carter, daughter of Joseph and Elmira Carter of Concord. The children born of this marriage are Willis D., Aug. 17, 1858, and Winnifred May, March 10, 1870, who was united in marriage June 14, 1893, with Levi A. Judkins of Claremont.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS WARREN.

Capt. John Q. A. Warren, son of David and Annie H. (Smith) Warren, was born at Winthrop, Me., Aug. 5, 1826, killed in battle in Louisiana, Oct. 27, 1862. He was educated in the common schools of his native place and came to Nashua to reside when he was fourteen years of age. He was employed two years at the mills of the Nashua Manufacturing company, and afterwards in the bobbin and shuttle works on Water street. In 1857 he

became a clerk in a store on Main street, where he re- mained till the breaking out of the war. Captain Warren was an enthusiastic member of the old fire department

JOHN Q. A. WARREN.

and foreman of Niagara company eleven years. He en- listed in the Eighth regiment New Hampshire volunteers and was commissioned captain. In the first battle in which that command was engaged, and while in advance of his company and urging it onward to victory, he fell, a martyr to the cause of his country. His body was buried near where he fell and a few months later disinterred and forwarded to Nashua, where it was buried in the Hollis Street cemetery, now Woodlawn, and a beautiful monu- ment erected by the firemen and citizens. Camp John Q. A. Warren, Sons of Veterans, was named in honor of him.

He was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., and attended the First Congregational church. Captain Warren was united in marriage June 14, 1851, with Maria J. Worcester, daughter of Orvill and Nancy (Williams) Worcester, who died in 1896. A son and daughter were born of his marriage; William Mason, born Sept. 17, 1852; Addie M., born Sept. 18, 1854, married Clarence E. Good- speed, locomotive engineer on the Boston & Maine rail- road, April 9, 1884.

RICHARD OLIVER GREENLEAF.

Maj. Richard O. Greenleaf was born in South Berwick, Me., Jan 31, 1823. He is a son of Richard and Eliza (Ackerman) Greenleaf. Major Greenleaf was educated

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

in the public schools of Haverhill, Mass., and graduated at its high school. He began life as an operative in the cotton mills at the place last mentioned, and at the age of

RICHARD O. GREENLEAF.

twenty-six years went to Lawrence as an overseer in one of the mills at that place. In 1857 he came to Nashua and was employed in the office at the mills of the Jackson Manufacturing company as book-keeper. When the flag was fired upon at Fort Sumter his patriotism was such that he was the first man, (April 19, 1861), in Nashua to enlist. He was commissioned captain in the First regi- ment New Hampshire volunteers, and immediately went to the front. It was a three months' regiment, and when his term of enlistment expired he was re-commissioned (Sept. 20, 1861) captain in the Fourth regiment New Hampshire volunteers. He suffered all the hardships and privations of war, participated in all the battles and skirmishes of his command, and was promoted to the rank of major, Aug. 24, 1864, for gallant and meritorious service in the line of duty. Major Greenleaf was mus- tered out Sept. 27, 1864, and it is the unanimous vote of his comrades that no braver or truer man ever trod the field of glory in the cause of nations. He returned to Nashua in 1866, and in 1872 went to Chicago and remained there till 1878, when he came back to Nashua. In 1881 he went to Joliet, Il1., and in 1891 he again made Nashua his home. His occupation has been that of a book-keeper, and at the present time he is the manager of the Aerated Oxygen company. Major Greenleaf represented Ward Two, Nashua, in the common council in 1860, was secre- tary of the board of trade and three years a member of the board of education, and its clerk in Joliet. Since returning here he has been secretary of the Nashua board of trade, quartermaster of John G. Foster post, G. A. R., of which he was a charter member and has been com- mander. He is a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., and of the Church of the Good Shepherd, ( Episco- pal), of which he is treasurer.

Major Greenleaf has been twice married; first, 1851, with Mary Cary, who died in 1854; second, in 1861, with Martha A. Flinn, daughter of Samuel and Clarissa (Lang- ley) Flinn of Nashua. One son was born of his first marriage, Thomas, who died in 1853 in infancy.

JAMES HARVEY HUNT.

Lieut. James H. Hunt was born in Stoddard, Nov. 25, 1841. He is a son of Dea. Timothy and Tryphena ( Fisher ) Hunt. His immigrant ancestor, William Hunt, came from England in 1635 and settled at Concord, Mass. Timothy Hunt, Sr., his grandfather, came from Grafton, Mass., to Stoddard about 1810 and became prominent in the early history of the place. On the maternal side he is a descendant of James Harvey Fisher, M. D., from whom he takes his name, and who was a prominent prac- ticing physician in Stoddard and vicinity during the first half of the present century.

Lieutenant Hunt received his rudimentary education in the district schools of his native place and beyond that is a self-taught and self-made man. He lived at home on his father's farm in Stoddard until his twenty-first year, when he enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in company G, Fourth regiment New Hampshire volunteers as corporal, and was promoted to sergeant, then to orderly-sergeant, and finally, in recognition of meritorious service, was commis- sioned second lieutenant in the same company, which rank he held until the close of the war. His regiment did provost duty in Washington in 1863, was in the Army of the Gulf in 1864, and, being transferred to Virginia in July of that year, participated in General Sheridan's memorable campaign in the Shenandoah valley against the confederate army under General Early. He was with his regiment in all the campaigns, skirmishes and battles in which it was engaged, the most important engage-

JAMES H. HUNT.

ments of which were at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. After the war he spent one year in the dairy business in California, and then, upon returning to

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

New Hampshire, he located in the tin and stove trade in his native town, where he became postmaster in 1868 and served until 1871.

In January, 1872, he came to Nashua and for several years was engaged in the tin and stove business on Factory street with A. S. Powers, under the firm name of Powers & Hunt. Sept. 1, 1879, he was appointed by Mayor Hol- man assistant marshal of the Nashua police force, which position he held until Jan. 1, 1881, when Mayor Fletcher appointed him marshal. He served in this position, be- ing reappointed by Mayors Fletcher and Norton, till Jan. I, 1884, when he was succeeded by Willard C. Tolles and appointed assistant marshal. In January, 1885, he was again appointed marshal. He served two years, and Jan. 1, 1887, retired, since which time he has been engaged in the livery business. His administration of police affairs was marked with prudence, justice and efficiency and is remembered as one of the most popular in the his- tory of the city. In 1887, Lieutenant Hunt was appointed by Governor Currier, coroner for Hillsborough county. which commission he now holds by reappointment in 1892 by Governor Tuttle. In April, 1893, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Hillsborough county and is still in that office. Lieutenant Hunt is an energetic and progressive citizen who rejoices in everything calculated to boom Nashua, and who has the good will of the community. He is a York Rite Mason and a member of St. George commandery, K. T., of which he is captain-general, a Scottish Rite Mason of the 32d degree and a member of Edward A. Raymond consistory ; he is also a member of Nashua lodge, K. of P., and a past chancellor in the order ; a member of John G. Foster post, G. A. R., and has served his comrades many times as chief marshal and in other stations on Memorial days and when important events were transpiring.

Lieutenant Hunt was united in marriage Nov. 21, 1867, with Rosalthe Upton, daughter of Alson and Sarah (Scott) Upton of Stoddard. Their adopted son, Fred E., born Jan. 1, 1877, a bright, intelligent and promising boy, was drowned in the Nashua river June 3, 1892.

ALVIN SUMNER EATON.

Alvin S. Eaton was born at Hillsborough Bridge, Dec. 4, 1840. He is a son of James B. and Sarah R. (Hobson) Eaton. (For ancestors see sketch of his father.)

Mr. Eaton came to Nashua in a canal boat with his par- ents, landing at Gay's store, Main street, when he was an infant in arms and his home has been here ever since. In early life he was employed as a locomotive engineer upon the Boston & Lowell railroad. When the flag was assailed on the walls of Sumter the blood of an honora- ble ancestry was aroused, and, Dec. 23, 1861, he was mustered in the service of his country in the New Hamp; shire batallion of the First New England cavalry, the name of which was changed after the battle of Front Royal to the First regiment of Rhode Island cavalry. When the battalion re-enlisted in 1864, and eight new companies were added, it was again changed to First New Hampshire cavalry. Mr. Eaton was in all the skirmishes and engagements of his command, excepting those that occurred when he was a prisoner of war, and was pro- moted to orderly sergeant for gallant and meritorious conduct in action. He was wounded in the arm in the fight at Tom's Brook, and taken prisoner Nov. 12, 1864, at

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Back roads. He suffered the hardships and privations of four months confinement at Stanton jail, Libby prison, Pemberton castle and Salisbury, N. C., and was paroled

ALVIN S. EATON.

March 1, 1865. He was honorably discharged June 24, 1865.

Since the war Mr. Eaton has been active in the pursuits of peace. He kept a market for some time on Canal street and for many years was engaged in the concrete business, at the same time holding commissions as deputy sheriff for Hillsborough and Rockingham counties inter- esting himself in police affairs and the things that make a lively and progressive city. Jan. 1, 1890, Mayor Beasom appointed him city marshal, and when a board of police commissioners was appointed in 1892 he was retained in that position and is still in office. His administration of the police department has been efficient. He has brought the force up to a high state of discipline and performed the onerous, and often disagreeable, duties of his office with fidelity. Mr. Eaton was among the first of the Nashua soldiers to become a member of John G. Foster post, G. A. R., and was commander of the state depart- ment in 1875, making an honorable record. He has always taken a deep interest in the order, has served it on great occasions as chief marshal, and is one of the most liberal contributors to further its ends and for the relief of comrades. In fact he is a liberal giver and supporter for the things that benefit Nashua and Nashuans. He attends the Methodist church, is a member of Watananock tribe of Red Men, Nashua lodge, K. of P., and the Knights of Honor. Mr. Eaton was united in marriage Oct. 16, 1868, at Nashua, with Rebecca H. Sawyer, daughter of David and Cordelia A. (Harmon) Sawyer of West Buxton, Me. One son has been born of their marriage, Ivory Custer, born Dec. 8, 1876.

BENJAMIN SHIPLEY WOODS.

Benjamin S. Woods was born at Tyngsboro, Mass., May 28, 1845. He is a son of Solomon and Lucy (Shipley) Woods. He is a descendant on the paternal side of Solo- mon Woods, who came to this country from England in 17- and settled at Westford, Mass. On the maternal side

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

he is a descendant of Benjamin Shipley, for many years a resident of Nashua.

BENJAMIN S- WOODS.

Mr. Woods was educated in the common schools of Nasbua, Amherst, Merrimack and Lyndeborough, in each of which places his parents resided during his minority. At the age of seventeen years he enlisted in company D, Eighth regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, and in the four years of war that followed endured the hardships of the campaign of the Nineteenth army corps. He was with the regiment at the capture of New Orleans, at the siege of Port Hudson and in the Red river campaign, and, in fact, participated in all the battles of the army of the Gulf. Following the war he settled in Nashua and has followed the occupation of a merchant, being engaged in the grocery trade. Mr. Woods represented Ward Eight in the common council in 1891 and 1892, and in the legis- lature of 1893 and 1894. He is a member of John G. Fos- ter post, G. A. R., and has held every office in the gift of his comrades, including that of commander. Mr. Woods was president of the Eighth regiment, New Hampshire veteran association six years, is a member of the United Order of the Golden Cross and the Baptist church. No citizen-soldier of Nashua is held in higher esteem, or is more worthy of the regard of the public than Mr. Woods.

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History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 52

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