USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 94
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The armory of this company was for several years in the Perham building, corner of Canal and Orange streets, occupying the third floor. In 1890 the company moved into the new and elegant quarters in the armory on Canal street. Lieutenant Parmenter was promoted to captain, Sept. 1, 1884. Lieutenant Sawyer resigning, E. H. Saunders was commissioned first lieutenant and C.
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E. Lawrence, second lieutenant, June 6, 1885. Willis H. Goodspeed was commissioned captain, William R. Seaman, first lieutenant, and F. H. Thompson, second lieutenant, May 25, 1890. Feb. 5, 1895, Captain Goodspeed was promoted to major and Lieutenant Thompson commissioned captain.
The company has an honorary membership of about one hundred of Nashua's business men who take pleasure in giving to the company their support. The annual ball in February and clambake in September, attended largely by its honorary membership, have been a social success through all the years of its organization.
Company C, Second regiment, N. H. N. G., was organized April 23, 1887. Capt. James A. Cobb was first elected captain, C. T. Lund, first lieutenant, and E. C. Emerson, second lieutenant. Cap- tain Cobb and Lieutenant Lund resigning May 25 of the same year, E. H. Saunders was commis- sioned captain and H. S. Stevens first lieutenant and W. H. Livingston second lieutenant. The other officers of this company succeeding were W. I. L. Elliott, captain, who was succeeded Nov. 24, 1896, by Ernest S. Woods, who is in command of the company at the present time, Charles A. Poff, first lieutenant, Thomas J. Dane, second lieutenant. This company also became quite efficient in rifle practice, H. F. Gains winning a prize medal, and among the best shots were Captain Elliott, E. J. Stanton, H. F. Long, George H. Conant and J. O. Laton.
Company K, Second regiment, known as the Tolles Light Infantry, the last company organized in Nashua to the present time, also occupies the armory on Canal street. W. I. Blanchard, a wide- awake and popular young physician, was nominated and commissioned its first captain. He was pro- moted to major of the Second regiment May 16, 1893, being succeeded by C. E. Faxon in command of the company. Samuel S. Spaulding was commissioned first lieutenant and Arthur E. Bowers second lieutenant. Each having resigned they have been succeeded by Arthur G. Shattuck and Charles H. Barker. Captain Faxon's first military service was as sergeant-major of the Second regiment. His efficiency soon won for him promotion to the position of adjutant of the regiment, serving in this capacity till June 5, 1889, the term of his commission expiring at that time. Gen. J. N. Patterson succeeding to the command of the regiment selected Adjutant Faxon as assistant inspector-general with the rank of major.
Upon Colonel Copp's promotion to the command of the Second regiment, the headquarters of the regiment were established at Nashua. The following Nashuans were appointed upon the staff of the colonel commanding :
Adjutant, Jason E. Tolles; quartermaster, George P. Kimball; surgeon, Dr. Charles C. Ellis ; chaplain, Rev. George W. Grover ; paymaster, Charles A. Roby.
Upon subsequent promotion of Adjutant Tolles, William E. Spalding was commissioned adjutant. After holding the position for about one year and upon leaving for Europe, Adjutant Spalding resigned his commission. In 1887 he was appointed upon the staff of Governor Sawyer with the rank of colonel. Colonel Spalding at the present time is cashier of the First National bank.
Quartermaster Kimball proved to be a very efficient officer, in an important and difficult position. Chaplain Grover was a most popular spiritual adviser, and an enthusiastic officer. He served through his full term of five years. At the time of his appointment and for some years after, he was pastor of the Pilgrim church. A brilliant man, a scholar and a pulpit orator of a high order.
Paymaster Roby is a son of Luther A. Roby, and is one of Nashua's bright young business men. In 1880 an encampment of the Second regiment was held at Peterboro. This was the last of the regimental camps.
In 1881 a brigade camp ground was established at Concord, upon the fair grounds upon the east side of the Merrimack river. These grounds were subsequently purchased by the state, enlarged and improved, and at the present time are equalled by few states in the country. Here the annual encampment of the entire state troops is holden. The several Nashua military companies go into camp annually. It is the event of the whole year. It is here that the year's experience and instruc- tion is exemplified.
The discipline of the encampments of to-day is vastly improved over that of the old militia days, yet it is the writer's observation that too much license is permitted and in too many instances military discipline is made subordinate to good-fellowship and social pleasure. Upon military discipline depends the life and usefulness of the military organization.
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While it is not the province of the historian to assume the role of critic, he remarks in passing that the jealous eye of the public should be, and is, upon the morale of the military establishment, as a disciplined military body under efficient officers at all times and conditions for efficient service- and this condition is only possible through discipline-the National Guard is of the first importance ; but without discipline, and as an ornamental appendage for social enjoyment, it becomes too expen- sive a luxury to be supported by a tax burdened people.
The history of the military of Nashua without a record of the building of the Nashua armory as a home for the military would be incomplete. Its need had long been apparent. The annual appro- priations by the legislature is insufficient to meet the wants of the military of the state and it is to the several cities and towns that the people must look for co-operation. The direct benefit to the city or town in which the military is located gives to such organizations a claim for support from the city or town and it has become a recognized principle with the state that the city or town that would or could not furnish suitable armory accommodations has no claim upon the state for maintaining there a mili- tary organization. The Nashua companies had for years been without suitable armories and it had been upon the hope of having better quarters that the organizations had been kept alive. The time had now come when definite action must be taken or the military of Nashua would be a thing of the past. With what success the matter was carried forward the writer will leave for others to put upon record.
The following relative to the building of the armory is from the Nashua Daily Telegraph :
"Before the first day of January, 1891, will be dedicated in this city the finest armory erected by a private corporation in the United States. A credit alike to its promoters, to the city, the state and the national guard of New Hampshire.
"This week the carpenters will finish their labors, then the painters will have the run of the building for a couple of weeks, and then, the grand dedication and military ball will take place on a date in the latter part of this month yet to be determined upon.
"Two years ago the idea first suggested itself to Col. E. J. Copp, the commanding officer of the Second regiment, N. H. N. G., that the Nashua militia should have a home for themselves that should be a credit to themselves and the city. The companies were then as now insufficiently quar- tered. A meeting was called in the court room by Colonel Copp early in the spring of 1889. It had been preceded by several letters in this paper written by this same gentleman urging the necessity of an armory in this city. Several meetings were held they finally resulting in June, 1889, of the Nashua Armory association being formed with Col. E. J. Copp as president; the directors, J. A. Spalding, C. H. Burke, J. H. Dunlap and C. A. Roby, the latter being also clerk and treasurer.
"There was considerable delay in the selecting of a site for the proposed armory, and several plans were submitted to the association before the present excellent site on Canal street, and the plans now being carried out, were decided upon. From one cause or another beyond the control of the committee in charge, work has been delayed and the dedication, which was confidently expected to occur early in the fall, has not yet been fully decided upon.
"From the first the brunt of the work, the planning, the raising of the stock, and the details of pushing the scheme to the glorious success it is sure to be within a month, fell to Col. E. J. Copp. It is even hardly giving him the credit due him to state that but for him the armory would not have been built. It will be a lasting monument to his worth and energy as a citizen.
" The plans for the dedication, which have not yet been fully matured, include dedication exer- cises and a grand military ball. The exercises will take place in the afternoon and the ball in the evening. Among those who will be invited are Gov. D. H. Goodell and staff, the entire militia of the state, prominent military men of this and adjoining states and many other prominent men. It has not yet been decided upon who will make all the addresses but previous to the exercises, it is proba- ble that the finest military parade seen here since the dedication of the soldiers' monument will be made through the principal streets. In the evening the military ball in the drill shed is expected to eclipse anything of the kind ever witnessed in this city. The ball will be an invitation affair. After the dedication the companies will at once take charge of their headquarters.
" The building itself is in the style of the old feudal castles, less familiarly known in this country than across the water. Its excellent site on the top of a slight slope, with ample grounds in front, add much to the charm the outside has to passers-by. The building, the only one in the city of its
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peculiar style, rises three stories in the front, with irregular roof, above a basement half above the ground. The head house is built of cobble stone and brick with single and triple arched stone sur- rounded windows. The wide, arched main entrance is in the center, the walk leading directly from the street to it. It will be the finest entrance in any building in Nashua. Directly to the east rises the octagon tower of brick, fifty feet high in three stories. The tower will be surmounted by a forty foot flag staff, from which ' Old Glory' will float much of the time. There are entrances on the east and west sides of the drill sheds, and from Grove street into the basement of the head house. The outside dimensions of the head house are seventy feet long by thirty feet deep, and those of the drill shed are fifty by ninety feet. The appearance of the outside is novel, unique and in perfect harmony with the purpose for which the building is to be devoted.
"But it is not until one passes inside the armory that the full effect of the beautiful and conveni- ent headquarters that will hereafter be the home of Nashua's military can be realized. The outside promises much and the inside more than fulfills the expectations.
"Passing through the ample-sized double cypress doors, panelled with the only bull's eye glass probably in use in the state, one steps into an ample hallway which will be handsomely tinted and lighted by an elegant chandelier. At the immediate left is the conveniently arranged ticket office. To the west of this is the general headquarters which will also be used as ladies' room. It is an ample-sized room with a single and triple arch windows that give a fine view southward. At the west end of the headquarters is a handsome oak mantel above tiles of sea green. The entrance is a double doorway with heavy cypress doors. A small door to the left of the main doorway leads to the ladies' dressing room. At the extreme west end of the head house is the serving room, with a dumb waiter running from the kitchen in the basement. Next east by the stairway is the cloak room. At the right of the main entrance a doorway leads into the tower, which is taken up with winding stairs that lead from the basement to the band room in the third story. By these stairs the rooms on the second and third floor and basement can be reached without entering the main floor beyond the entrance. Just to the north of the tower room is the reception and reading room with a double door leading into the hallway. Opposite the door is a large fireplace with handsome tiles and surmounted with a heavy oak mantel. The room will be richly furnished.
"A double doorway opposite the main entrance opens into the drill shed, the finest one in the state. In its ninety feet of length and fifty of width there is not a single pillar to obstruct the move- ments of the soldiers or dancers. On the south side is an ample balcony for the musicians and on the west a stage sixteen by thirty feet. To the tip of the roof it is forty feet, and it is supported by five arched bases, over the floor and two half ones at each end. The floor is birch, and probably the finest in the city. The walls will be tinted and painted in harmonious colors, and it will be the finest dance and drill hall in the city. Each of the local companies will drill there one night in each week, to be hereafter selected.
"An easy winding flight of stairs, with heavy banisters, leads to the second floor where are the companies' suites of rooms. There are three suites, each of two rooms, with double doors between, and ample arched windows, giving a fine view of the surrounding country. The smaller of the two rooms in each suite is for the officers, and the larger for the privates. When the double doors are thrown back it practically makes one large room of the two. On the glass panels of the main door of each suite will be painted the company's name that occupies it. The center suite, looking directly over Canal street, has already been selected by the Foster Rifles as its headquarters, and will be fitted up in the most expensive and luxurious style seen in any public rooms in this city. Company C has not as yet selected its headquarters. At the west end of the stairs is the gentlemen's dressing room. At the right of head of the stairs is the entrance to the tower leading to the ample-sized sightly band room on the third floor. That will be occupied by the Second regiment band. At the west side of the room a short stairway leads to the roof, practically an exterior roof balcony. There in open air the band will rehearse on summer evenings.
"The basement is an enormous one and all of it will be utilized. At the foot of the tower stairs is the Gatling gun room with a wide opening on Grove street. Next north is the armorer's room in which will be fitted up a work bench for the repairs of guns, etc., and which also contains an ammu- nition vault with an iron door. Then the pool room, for the exclusive use of members, will have a fine table. Behind this are two large company store rooms. Directly under the entrance is the
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boiler room, fitted up with a thirty horse power boiler. Beyond is a generous sized lavatory with marble wash bowls. etc. The kitchen is at the extreme southwest corner and will be generously fitted up with stoves, sink, closets, dumb waiter and all conveniences.
"The rifle range in the center of the basement, shooting to a solid rock wall at the west end, is seventy feet long and eight wide. A bowling alley will also be built in the same place later. These, like the pool room, will be for the exclusive use of the companies and stockholders. The larger part of the rear of the basement will be occupied by storage room which will be to rent, the entrance being on Grove street.
"The building is a model of its kind, substantially and elegantly built. The timbers are all of the best of southern pine. The armory will be lighted by gas and electricity and heated by steam. The stone masonry was done by Thomas Kelly ; brick work, E. G. Spalding; piping and plumbing, F. O. Ray; carpenter work, H. A. Holt. All have done excellent work.
"The armory will be for the exclusive use of the members of the two local companies, band, and stockholders of the association. They will be allowed the liberties of the public rooms, including the reading rooms, at all times, subject to the rules of the association. The hall will also be let for dances, etc., as the association deems proper.
"Nashua has reason to feel proud of the architectural beauty of the armory; of the future home. of its military companies that is not equaled in the state and of the public spirit of the chief promoters of the association which made the armory a fact."
THE ARMORY.
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
FREEMAN SNOW ROGERS.
Hon. Freeman S. Rogers was born at Dana, Mass., May 7, 1803, died at Nashua, Feb. 7, 1880. He was a son of
FREEMAN SNOW ROGERS.
Elkannah and Tamzin (Snow) Rogers and descendant of early settlers of the Massachusetts colony.
Mr. Rogers attended the schools of his native town and after that acquired a liberal business and general educa- tion by private study and observation. The active years of his life were spent in the manufacture of palm-leaf hats. He was located at different periods of his early career at Dana, Hardwick and Petersham, Mass. In 1846 he located on Merrimack street in this city, in a building on the site of the churn factory, where he pursued the business with marked success. He was a man of the peo- ple. His sterling character, unquestioned integrity, unbiased judgment and executive ability gave him the confidence of the public, and with the added fact that he had served in the Massachusetts general court while a resident of that state, resulted in a demand for his ser- vices in the first and second common councils. In 1855, and again in 1856, he was elected mayor, and both his administrations were marked with careful and prudent management of municipal affairs and the accomplishment of several permanent improvements. He was a member of the Universalist church and for many years a deacon in the Nashua society.
Mr. Rogers was twice married: First with Eliza Clark, daughter of Hardin and Triphena Clark of Petersham, Mass., by which marriage five children were born : Hardin Clark, born April 13, 1828, married Ellen Hastings of Petersham, Mass., died at Hyde Park, Mass., Sept. 7, 1880; Elizabeth, born Jan. 4, 1830, married Albert D. Taylor of Nashua; Henry, born Sept. 14, 1831, died at sea Aug. II, 1856 ; Clementine, born Nov. 27, 1832, died March 23, 1833; Sylvester, born Jan. 3, 1837, married Susan Tay- lor of Nashua, killed at the second battle of Bull Run Aug. 29, 1862. Mrs. Rogers died in 1844. Mr. Rogers' second marriage, Sept. 16, 1845, was with Lydia S. Haskell, daughter of Charles H. and Damaris (Flagg) Haskell of
Shutesbury, Mass., who died at Nashua Aug. 19, 1885. Two children were born of this marriage: Charles Free- man, born in Nashua, May 13, 1848, married Mrs. Joseph- ine Camfil of Nashua, Aug. 21, 1885; Caroline Frances, born at Nashua, Aug. 9, 1851, married John K. Hall of Nashua. Sept. 19, 1872.
THOMAS WOCESTER GILLIS.
Hon. Thomas W. Gillis was born in Deering in 1806, died at Milford in 1886. He was a son of John and Han- nah (Aiken) Gillis. Mr. Gillis was of Scotch-Irish descent both paternally and maternally, the names of his immigrant ancestors being among the first in the London- derry settlement as may be verified in the history of that place.
Mr. Gillis was educated in the schools of the district where he was born and was a good specimen of the self- made men of his generation. He came to Nashua in 1828 and by dint of courage and capacity rose from a picker- boy to the agency of the mills of the Nashua Manufactur- ing company, which position he held from 1835 to 1853. During this term he acted for two years as agent of the Souhegan mills at Milford and was a director and part owner in iron works at Paterson, N. J., and Knoxville, Tenn. In the last year mentioned he was chosen presi- dent of the Nashua Gaslight company and became agent of the Vale mills. In 1859 he went to Wheeling, W. Va., where he built cotton mills which he operated about two years. He then built mills at Circleville, Ohio, which he operated till 1873, when, in the financial crisis of that
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THOMAS WOCESTER GILLIS.
year, fortune deserted him and he returned to New Hampshire and spent the rest of his life at Milford.
Mr. Gillis was one of Nashua's first citizens. He was a
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man of strict religious principles, generous and progres- sive. Among the benefits which he conferred upon the people of his time was the Pearl street Congregational church, in which he was the moving spirit, and to the erection of the edifice in which it worshiped (now known as the Universalist church) he contributed more than $3,000. IIe also was closely identified with the fire depart- ment and one of the old hand engines bore the name of "T. W. Gillis." In 1857 he was elected mayor. His administration of municipal affairs was marked with the same care and intelligence he bestowed upon his business and private affairs, and is now recalled by old citizens as one of the best of the first decade of the city history
Mr. Gillis was united in marriage in 1830 with Rhoda Fuller, daughter of Dr. Robert Fuller of Milford, who died in 1831. His second marriage, 1835, was with Eliza- beth C. French, daughter of Stephen French of Bedford. One son was born by his first marriage : John Fuller, born Aug. 3, 1831, died October, 1861 ; by his second marriage, Rhoda E., born May 24, 1838, married John W. Hutchin- son in 1874; Mary Moore, born April 7, 1842, married L. F. Warner in 1870; Sarah Kittredge, born June 2, 1847, married Carl E. Knight of Milford in 1873.
ALBIN BEARD.
Hon. Albin Beard was born in Nelson, Feb. 28, 1808, twin brother of Alfred Beard, died in Nashua, Sept. 16, 1862.
ALBIN BEARD.
He was a son of Asa and Lucy (Goodnow) Beard and a grandson of David Beard, a prominent man in the affairs of Cheshire county.
Mr. Beard obtained his education in the common schools of Nelson, and from his father, who was at one time a school teacher, and learned the printers' trade in the offices of George Hough in Concord and the Sentinel at Keene. He was employed for a few years as a journey- man on the Columbian Sentinel of Boston, and devoted his spare time to writing articles for the newspapers pub- lished by his twin brother. In 1836 he came to Nashua and associated himself with his brother Alfred in the editing and publishing of the New Hampshire Telegraph.
Following the death of his brother in 1839, he became sole editor and proprietor of the Telegraph and so con- tinued until his death. He was a clear and forcible writer with a keen appreciation of the humorous, and made for the Telegraph a reputation second to none in the state. (See history of the Telegraph. )
During Mr. Beard's active career he was one of the first citizens of Nashua and Nashville in all things pertaining to the public weal. In his early manhood he was enthusi- astic in military matters. He was a member of the Lafayette Light Infantry and afterwards captain of the Columbian Grays. In 1840 and 1841 he represented the town of Nashua in the legislature and in 1846 and 1847 he was a member of the same body from Nashville. In 1848, 1849 and 1850 he was a member of the board of superin- tending school committee of Nashville, and in all these years he was one of the strong men who promoted the interests of the Whig party. Mr. Beard labored unceas- ingly to dispel the ill feeling between the two towns, and when a city charter was obtained Ward One elected him to represent the people in the first board of alder- men. He was re-elected in 1854, and in 1858 and again in 1859 he was called to the mayoralty. As chief magistrate of the city he harmonized many conflicting interests and instituted and completed improvements that left him on the top wave of popularity at the close of his administra- tion. When the Republican party, the principles of which he advocated from its inception, came into power in 1861, Abraham Lincoln commissioned him postmaster of Nashua, which office he held at the time of his death. Mr. Beard was an upright and progressive citizen, gener- ous in all his dealings, and a worker in season and out of season in his business and in efforts to advance the inter- ests of Nashua. He was a prominent member of the Unitarian society, which he served several years as clerk, and had quite a reputation as a vocalist and for nearly a quarter of a century conducted the music of the church.
Mr. Beard was united in marriage May 1 , 1832, with Julia A. Crooker, daughter of Maj. Turner and Mary (Young) Crooker. Mr. Crooker was a son of Japhet and Lydia (Turner) Crooker. Mrs. Crooker was a daughter of Dr. John and Rebecca Young. Four children were born of their marriage: Alfred, born in Boston, Feb, 23, 1833, died at the same place April 18, 1833 ; Julia Amanda, born in Boston, April 20, 1836, married June 22, 1861, Gen. Wheelock Graves Veazey (late commander-in-chief of the Grand Army, and judge of the supreme court of Vermont and afterwards a member of the interstate com- merce commission); Lucy Josette, born in Nashua, Jan. 17, 1841, married Oct. 19, 1864, Arthur Bingham of Nashua ; Alfred, born in Nashua, Dec. 24, 1842, married, Aug. 13, 1863, Lucy E. Howard of Nashua, died in Lowell, May 6, 1894.
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