History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 98

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 98

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Mr. Hall obtained the best possible education in the schools of his native place, and beyond that is a self- taught man who has made good use of his opportunities, and is therefore well informed in all matters of a mer- cantile or a business character as well as on general themes that are of interest and importance to busy men. Upon attaining his majority he went to Townsend, Mass., where he was employed two years as a clerk in a country store. From Townsend he went to Charlestown, Mass., where he followed the same occupation in a general grain store: In 1857 Mr. Hall came to Nashua and until 1860 was employed at cabinet work in the manufactory of his brother on Water street. He spent the next eight and a half years as a clerk, being employed three years by John M. Hopkins, four years by Solomon Spalding & Co., and eighteen months by Seth D. Chandler. In 1869 he bought out the general store of Hopkins & Ramsey, and in 1874

WILLIAMS HALL.

sold out to G. C. Shattuck & Co., for whom he was clerk for the next two years. Jan. 1, 1876, he bought a half interest in the business, which assumed the name of

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HISTORY OF NASIIUA, N. H.

Shattuck & Hall. Mr. Shattuck withdrew in 1886 and since then Mr. Hall has continued the business by him- self.

Aside from business Mr. Hall has been interested in public improvements and other things that inure to the advancement of the interest of the city and individuals. In 1872 and 1873 he was a member of the common coun- cil, and in 1874 deputy sheriff of the county. In 1892 he was elected mayor of Nashua, and his administration of the municipal government during the year 1893 was marked by the completion of the Amherst street school- house and the erection of the Amherst street fire engine house, one of the finest buildings of its kind in the state. He inaugurated and carried forward to completion sev- eral other improvements, and made a clean record that will stand the test of time and be a source of pride to his descendants. Mr. Hall attends the Universalist church and is a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M.

Mr. Hall was united in marriage Nov. 28, 1860, with Jane F. A. Howard, daughter of Benjamin and Phebe (Damon) Howard of Hingham, Mass. They have one son, Frank W. Hall, born at Nashua, June 5, 1874.

THOMAS SANDS.

Hon. Thomas Sands was born at St. Albans, Me., July 4, 1833. In 1840 the government appointed his father, Hiram Sands, supervisor of the construction of Fort Smith, Ark., and the family removed to that place. The fort, being located on the line of the Choctaw Indian ter- ritory, was remote from educational advantages and con- sequently his schooling came from parental instruction and general observation. Five years later he became a resident of Cambridge, Mass., where he attended a gram- mar school two terms. At the age of fourteen he appren- ticed himself for three years to the Davenport Bridges and Kirk Locomotive manufacturers. . During this time he exhibited marked inventive talent, among the things pro- duced by his brains and hands being the first roller skate. His next place of employment was with the Moss & Osborn Steam Engine company in Boston. While there he invented Sands' brick-making machine. He produced several of these machines and successfully operated them, after which he located a manufactory at St. Johnsbury, Vt., and traveled extensively for the purpose of intro- ducing them among brick makers. In 1853 he set up one of his machines within a stone's throw of the capitol at Washington and invited the senators and congressmen to witness its workings. The result was the sale of the patent for $25,000.

Mr. Sands' next place of employment was with the Singer Sewing Machine company in Boston. He remained with the company a short time, when, by mere chance, he became acquainted with a manufacturer of reed organs. The result was he apprenticed himself for the remainder of his minority to M. O. Nichols of Boston, and before his term of service ended he invented a pipe organ in the shape of the present grand piano, which he patented. During this time he became a self-taught organist and was engaged at three dollars a week to play in churches. Leaving Mr. Nichols he formed a co-partnership with John P. Lindsey, the object being to manufacture organs. The venture was not successful and the partnership was terminated in 1856. Mr. Lindsey continued the business

and established shops in Laconia, and Mr. Sands was in his employ as superintendent until 1857, when the enter- prise was abandoned.

Thrown again upon his own resources he invented a card printing press, which was the inception of the proof press now in general use. He traded this machine, before it was patented, for land in South Reading, Mass. His next venture was a partnership with a Mr. Prince for the purpose of manufacturing brick. They furnished the contract of brick for the construction of the Franklin street schoolhouse at Manchester. Prince failed in 1867 after filling several contracts, but the young inventor, although a loser, was not easily discouraged. He returned to Laconia and entered the employ of Gardner Cook-a manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds-for the purpose of manufacturing his invention known as the spring

THOMAS SANDS.

needle for hosiery. Mr. Sands refused an offer of $10,000 for the patent, but put this invention against $10,000 capi- tal, and with S. T. Thomas went into the business under the name of the Sands Needle company. He continued in the business until 1870, when he sold out. The next product of Mr. Sands' active brain is known as the White Mountain ice cream freezer. He established a manufac- tory at Laconia and was on the top wave of success, when, in 1881, his works were destroyed by fire. A new factory was established in Nashua and was successfully managed by Mr. Sands until 1889, when he sold his interest to a syndicate for a large sum of money. It is one of the flourishing industries of the city at the present time.

Mr. Sands now, on account of his health, physicians informing him that he would not live very long if he con- tinued the mental strain he was under, retired tempora-

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

rily from the activities and cares of manufacturing inter- ests. He invested his money largely in real estate and took life easy. The habits of a life time, however, could not be overcome. He felt unsettled, and consequently he became interested with others in locating the manufac- tory of the Blanchard Churn company in Nashua. He is president of the company at the present time, and has been interested, financially and otherwise, in the Sands & Brown manufacturing company, a concern that manu- factures woven wire spring beds, the business of which he was instrumen- tal in bringing to Nashua.

Mr. Sands' close application to bus- iness has not pre- vented him from taking an active part in the affairs that concern the welfare of his country and the communities where he has re- sided. He was an original anti-slav- ery man, and, in his younger days, when a resident of Boston, was count- ed among the belligerents who resisted the return of Anthony Burns to slavery. Satur- day, June 2, 1854, he even went so far as to partici- pate in the hazard- ous effort to break down the doors of the court house where the fugitive was confined, and while the excite- ment was at white heat was supposed to have discharged firearms which killed Blanchard. He has clung tena- ciously all his life to the principles of his youth, and is an outspoken and fearless advocate of whatever he believes to be for the best interests of the public. Public office holding has not been his aim or purpose in life. He has many times refused to be a candidate, and not till he was relieved of the cares of business would he permit his friends to use his name for the office of mayor of Nashua. He was the candidate of the Republican party in 1892, and re-nominated by acclamation in 1893, and in the last named year was elected for the municipal year, 1894. Mr. Sands made some substantial and satisfactory improve- ments upon the streets and highways; he was instru-

mental in the purchasing of Nashua's first road machine, and in every way showed a practical knowledge of road making. In fact he instituted many improvements in the departments of the public service and filled the chair and performed the duties of the chief executive of the city with credit to himself.

As a citizen, since his residence in Nashua, Mr. Sands has occupied a high and honorable position in the esti- mation of his fellow citizens. He has been active not only in doing zealously and willingly all that he could for the advance- ment of the city's interests and the welfare of the gen- eral public, but has also respond- ed liberally to private and public charities.

Mr. Sands is a York Mason and a Scottish Rite Ma- son of the 32d degree, a member and past grand of Winnipiseogee lodge, I. O. O. F., Laconia, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the In- dependent Order of the Golden Cross. He is also a musical director of the Unitarian choir and active in minor societies.

Mr. Sands has been twice mar- ried. His first wife was Elizabeth C., daughter of Col. S. D. Johnson of Bed- ford. Five chil- dren were born to them, the only survivor of whom is Lizzie I., wife of Ernest A. Morgan. Mrs. Sands died in ISSS. His second marriage was with Mrs. Lizzie M .. Russell, widow of Joseph E. Russell of Laconia, at Nashua, October 6, 1890.

JOSEPH W. HOWARD.

JOSEPH WOODBURY HOWARD.

Hon. Joseph W. Howard was born at Washington, Nov. 22, 1844. He is a son of Ezra P. and Mary (Trow) Howard.

Mr. Howard was educated in the public schools of his native place, at Tubbs' Union academy at Washington and at the academy at New London. Upon leaving school he returned to his home in Washington. A little later he was engaged in business for about a year in

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. II.

Manchester. In 1867 Mr. Howard came to Nashua and entered the furniture store of E. P. Brown, becoming for a partner in the business shortly after and so continuing a number of years. Upon the dissolution of the firm he formed a co-partnership with Capt. C. D. Copp, under the firm name of Howard & Copp, and continued the business. This firm was dissolved after two or three years of successful business, and Charles H. French became his partner under the firm name of Howard & French. Still later the firm was changed by the admis- sion of David Heald of Milford to Howard, French & Heald. This firm had a manufactory at Milford in addi- tion to its manufactory in Nashua, and did a very large wholesale business. It was dissolved in January, 1894, French & Heald assuming control of the Milford branch and Mr. Howard becoming sole proprietor of the busi- ness in Nashua, in which he still continues.

Mr. Howard's enterprise is of the kind that is not easily discouraged or embarrassed by adversity. Fire of the most destructive character has followed him with a persistency that would wreck a less hopeful and deter- mined man. His retail department was totally destroyed while located in the old Beasom block; his manufactory in the Greeley buildings on Lowell street was badly damaged, his manufactory in the old Washington house and its annex on Main street was wholly consumed, as was his manufactory and storehouse on Front street. At other times he has suffered from less destructive fires, the last being the burning of the upholstery department of his business on Front street. Notwithstanding these discouragements he has steadily rebuilt, and increased his capacity for business and at the present time, in addition to his local business, is president and manager of the Howard Furniture company, organized in 1892, which has a large manufactory at Wilton and a store- house and salesroom on Front street, Nashua. Few if any of the active men of to-day have done more in help- ing onward the progress of the city in the past twenty- five years. He was half owner with his father in building Howard block, and has rendered pecuniary and other

assistance to other equally important enterprises, includ- ing the Masonic temple and Odd Fellows block.

But it is not alone in business that . Mr. Howard's influence has been felt in the things that make a live city. Hle has taken a conspicuous part in public affairs, and, being a man in whom the people place implicit confi- dence, has held nearly every office within the gift of his ward and the city. After serving Ward One on the board of selectmen, he represented it in the common council in 1877 and 1878, and in the board of aldermen in 1879 and 1880, and has served the city on the board of education twelve years. He was a member of the legislature of 1887 and 1888, in which the great railroad fight occurred, and represented the district in the senate of 1893 and 1894, performing his duty to the state in a conscientious manner and winning the approval of his constituents to the degree that caused them to insist on his candidacy for the mayoralty in 1894.

In the social world Mr. Howard has been equally con- spicuous. He is a Universalist and a liberal contributor to the needs of that denomination in Nashua; 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 Edward A. Raymond con- sistory, 32d degree. He is a Knight of Pythias and an Odd Fellow, in the last order being president of the building association that owns Odd Fellows block, and a member of the City Guards club. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Nashua Savings bank and a director in the First National bank, besides holding similar positions of trust in several other city institu- tions. In a word he is a very busy man and an influen- tial factor in the industrial, municipal and social life of Nashua.

Mr. Howard was united in marriage Aug. 27, 1868, with Nancy J. Hasselton, daughter of Joel and Mary ( Herrick) Hesselton of Wilton. Three children have been born of their marriage: Charles Woodbury, born Oct. 28, 1869, married Blanche L. Baldwin, 1894; Frank Barrett, born Sept. 20, 1871 ; Mary Hasselton, born Aug. 14, 1876.

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MUNICIPAL.

THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF DUNSTABLE, OLD DUNSTABLE, NASHUA, NASHVILLE AND THE CITY OF NASHUA.

BY W. O. CLOUGH.

T HE practical-minded student who entertains a purpose to contribute to the common stock of knowledge relative to the men-their civil government and their achievements-who were prominent in public stations in the townships of Dunstable, Old Dunstable, Nashua, Nash- ville and the City of Nashua in past decades, finds himself somewhat embarrassed at the very outset of his task. He discovers when searching old records, comparing citations and endeavor- ing to harmonize conflicting statements, that much that had been associated in the public mind as unqualified truth is questionable fiction, and that many interesting paragraphs that have appeared in public print have little or no foundation in fact, being for the most part the imaginings of writers who, hoping no doubt to escape prosiness, have unwittingly colored their theme. In a word, the alignment that should separate the real and the ideal is, in many instances, so imperfectly drawn, and the necessity of making excuses so ingeniously interwoven, that there is danger, in restating the facts, of falling into like errors. The perplexities thus indicated-cropping out here and there along the track of centuries-are many times manifest in evidence of troubles incidental to locating and build- ing the first meeting-house following the first division of the town ; in quarrels between settlements and towns over division lines, places of worship and bridges; in the controversy over the location and building of the town hall, the Hunt memorial library building, and sundry other events of like char- acter which there is no moral right for concealing from the reader of to-day and student of the future. The recorder, therefore, has no license to avoid plain truth, and hence it will be seen that-while endeavoring to be impartial and just-reasonable excuse exists for seeking the charitable judgment of his fellow citizens.

The pioneers, who literally toiled to make the wilderness blossom and bear fruit that has ripened in the civilization that crowns the close of the nineteenth century, were men of rugged constitutions and iron nerve, rigid in principle, tenacious in their individual rights, and strict in matters of disci- pline. They were Puritans : dissenters. They recognized no man as master and paid only such deference to the king as was compulsory. In fact, while they tacitly gave their consent to be gov- erned, so far as the affairs of state were concerned, they governed themselves in communities. Their system of government, as developed in this country, was not, as many persons believe, moulded from British customs. It was the result of necessity, each step in its advance having been taken to meet the demands of an increased population. In early times public affairs were considered and passed upon by the whole body of freemen, but the frequent attendance upon town meetings by widely scat- tered settlers became burdensome, and hence certain persons were selected to act for a stated time, their authority being "to order the affairs of the town." This was the origin of the board of select- men. Other town offices were "set up " to meet growing demands. Here, then, is the beginning of local civil government.

DUNSTABLE UNDER ITS FIRST CHARTER.

The objective point for those who would know more of the municipality is the townships of which it is the successor. As early as 1650 the general court of Massachusetts granted tracts of land in the Merrimack valley to actual settlers and to others who would agree to pay a nominal tax. These tracts, or farms, were located as extending from Chelmsford along the banks of the Merrimack and Souhegan rivers. In 1655 settlers began to arrive-Jonathan Tyng being the first-and a few years later, 1673, their number having increased so that they felt the "need of accommodation" (the legal right to establish local government, impose taxes and settle a minister) they petitioned the general court of Massachusetts for a charter. This petition was signed by Thomas Edwards, Thomas Wheeler, senior, Thomas Brattle, Jonathan Tyng and twenty-two others. The prayer of the peti- tioners was granted Oct. 16, 1673, (old style.) It contained the usual conditions of the times: "that

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Five Hundred acres of Upland and Meadow be layed out for Publick use and that they proceed in setting up ye Plantation as to finish it out," (i. e., procure such number of settlers as would support a minister, clear, break up, fence, build houses and live in them), "within three years, and maintayne and able Orthodox minister." The charter, which did not give the town a name, was duly accepted and an organization perfected. They named the new borough Dunstable (in compliment to Mary 'T'yng, mother of Jonathan Tyng, who came from Dunstable, Eng.) and entered into a compact fixing the methods by which they would be governed. There are no consecutive records of their minor transactions. They met, as occasion required, in farm houses and on May 16, 1674, voted to build a meeting-house between Salmon brook and the house of Lieutenant Wheeler. The next year, 1675, King Phillip's war broke out and the incursions upon the settlement so scattered the inhabitants (Jonathan Tyng, only, remaining ) that this vote became inoperative. Three years later, 1678, peace having been restored, the people returned to their homes and the meeting house was built. It was a rude affair compared with the church edifices of to-day and can better be imagined than described. In 1679 the delayed conditions of the charter were "finished out " with thirty families, and the future made secure by the settlement of Rev. Thomas Weld. Their affairs then ran in a smooth channel for a number of years. In 1689 a revolution having occurred in Great Britain and James II. being deposed, they chose John Waldo, Cornelius Waldo and Robert Parris to represent them in a conven- tion, held in Boston, "for assuming the government." The convention was, in spirit and purpose, a declaration of inalienable rights and thus a forerunner of American independence. In 1692 Jonathan Tyng and Thomas Henchman were their representatives. They murmured at the expense-legisla- tors being paid at that time by the town instead of the state as now-and, discovering that they were not compelled by law to be represented, voted "not to send."

The settlers had now enjoyed about ten years of peaceful life. Their dream of prosperity, how- ever, was rudely broken. King William's war broke out and many of their wisest and best men were slain, and they were again forced to flee for their lives. Queen Anne's war followed in its train, and finally those who remained were compelled, under the lead of John Lovewell, to give battle to the merciless savages whose depredations had reduced them to poverty and compelled them in 1701 and again in 1704, to apply to the colonial treasurer for aid, twenty pounds being granted them each time. The story of those twenty-five years of hardship, the record of the deeds of bravery of those who defended wives and children, their suffering, their experiences in the wilderness, the tragic death of Weld, Lovewell and a score of others is a story of romantic interest and is simply mentioned here to preserve continuity. Peace came at last, and in 1711 the broken-hearted and impoverished settlers, who had been living in garrisons the greater part of the time for twenty-five years, could number but thirteen families, a total of eighty-six persons. But they had courage and looked to the future with a determined purpose to regain all and more than they had lost. Local government had meantime fallen into disuse, and for some time following the last date nothing of striking importance is noted in their records. They built roads and bridges, paid their just proportion for keeping the highways of the town and those south of them in repair, built a boom across the river, glazed the meeting-house appointed Joseph French coffin-maker, and " constructed " a town boat, 1728, for "fording the Merri- mack," probably at Little's station, now South Nashua, for the purpose of communicating with their neighbors on the territory now known as Hudson.

It must not be understood, however, that the early settlers of Dunstable were oblivious of the doings of the general government. Far from it. They kept a watchful eye on all that was transpiring, and the only reason that can be assigned for their failure to participate is found in their pecuniary embarrassments. That they were opposed to "heredity rule" and determined to assert their inde- pendence is susceptible of proof though the fact that, notwithstanding their method gave offience, they insisted on choosing a grand juryman as early as 1723 and continued their practice. It is also shown in the fact that for more than fifty years after receiving their charter they neglected-although frequently reminded by agents of the government-to establish a public school. They maintained that their people were too widely scattered to make a school advisable and that for all purposes for which they had any use for book knowledge they were able to give instruction in their homes. They taught their children reading, mathematics and penmanship, and it is not too much to say that they proved competent teachers. In 1730, however, the adjoining towns caused them to be indicted, whereupon they raised ten pounds and employed a teacher one season. They felt, however, that they

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were being imposed upon and lapsed into the old way. No further attempt was made to coerce them. The years that followed before the town was divided, by reason of the settlement of the boundary line dispute between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, were years of comparative plenty. They culti- vated their farms, paid their taxes-the total amount for all town purposes, including the minister's salary, being from two hundred and fifty dollars to four hundred dollars a year-kept their highways in repair and sought forgetfulness of past misfortunes. A few disturbing affairs of public moment, however, crept in upon them. The first of these was a proposition to purchase the ministerial farm of Rev. Mr. Kidder as a parsonage. There were a good many dissenters to this proposition and also a hitch as to whom the deed should be made. Considerable hard feeling was engendered and threats were made to apply to the general court for redress, but happily the cloud passed without a serious storm. The second disturbing subject related to the meeting-house. It "was out of repair and not decent." The question to be settled was "would the town build a decent meeting-house or rectify and mend the old one." It was voted to build. A year of vexatious wrangling followed. It was then decided to build "about four rods westward of where the meeting-house now stands," whereupon nineteen persons entered a protest. They declared that the location was unjust, and were so earnest in their opposition that the matter was held in abeyance nearly two years. In 1734 the quarrel was renewed, and when those who favored the location heretofore named were about to carry out the provision of the vote of the town an invitation was received to appear before the general assembly and make answer to the remonstrance of John Kendall and others. The subsequent records of the town are lost, hence the "sense of the voters" cannot be stated. It is evident, however, from the facts that the meeting-house was not built until 1738, that there were many hot discussions and much ill-feeling engendered. On the completion of the meeting house another controversy, the result of the five years' unfriendliness, arose. The inhabitants of the westerly side of the town and the northerly side of Groton petitioned to be set off as a separate township. The petitioners represented that owing to the distance-from six to ten miles-they were deprived of preaching, and, for this, and other reasons, they desired a distinct township. The people of the easterly part of the town resisted to the bitter end, which came Dec. 28, 1739, at which time the general court of Massachusetts acted affirmatively upon the petition. The success of these petitioners aroused the people of the western portion of the town. They brought forward a similar complaint, and, after considerable debate and sundry protests from the settlers near the Merrimack river, they were finally empowered to "set up" a parish under the name of West Dunstable. They had authority only to employ a minister; in all else they remained a part of Dunstable while it remained under Massachusetts' jurisdiction. Briefly told* from imperfect records, the foregoing statements contain the essential facts relative to the estab- ishment of local government over the territory now governed in part under the charter of the city of Nashua.

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History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 98

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