USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 43
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CAVIS BLOCK
The first building on the west side of Central square was a blacksmith shop, on the site of the present Cavis block. This was erected by Edmond Brown as early as 1797. Mr. Brown was then a young, unmarried man and boarded at Moses Sleep- er's tavern. The building had two stories, and Timothy East- man had later a hatter's shop in the second story. In Septem- ber, 1810, Moses Lewis was the owner, and he sold to Timothy Eastman for the annual consideration of one silk hat of the value of seven dollars. Mr. Eastman sold to Richard H. Sawyer, in
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
April, 1823, for $250, and, two days later, Mr. Sawyer sold to Abbott Lovejoy, who was then in business as a blacksmith in Alexandria. Mr. Lovejoy removed to Bristol and prosecuted his business at this stand till May, 1832, when he sold to Joseph Noyes, and removed to Central street. Commencing with 1829, Mr. Lovejoy had a partner, and the firm name was Lovejoy & Webster.
Joseph Noyes erected the first store on this site. Walter H. Sleeper was the first trader here, being in trade in 1832 ; but his business career was short, and he was succeeded by Solomon Cavis and Sherburn S. Worthen, under the firm name of Cavis & Worthen, about February, 1834, at which time Mr. Cavis owned the real estate. In 1837, Mr. Cavis sold to N. S. Berry, and the firm became Worthen & Berry, who continued the busi- ness. Solomon Cavis succeeded them in 1839, and prosecuted the business alone till about 1853, when his son, George M. Cavis, became his partner, and the firm name was S. Cavis & Son, till 1861, when Solomon Cavis retired. George M. Cavis continued the business till April, 1884. At this time, Horace T. Alexander commenced trade here, and Mr. Cavis retired from the active work of the store, though still retaining an interest in the business, that he might devote his whole time to his duties as treasurer of the savings bank. Mr. Alexander prosecuted the business six years, till Oct. 1, 1888. He was succeeded by Karl G. and George B. Cavis, under the firm name of Cavis Brothers, who are still in trade here, doing a large and successful business in dry-goods, groceries, and hard- ware. They are worthy successors of their father and grand- father.
The store built by Joseph Noyes was destroyed in the great fire of July 4, 1861, and the present brick block was erected soon after. This was greatly damaged by the fire of Dec. 7, 1871.
THE ROLLINS BLOCK
In 1830, a small, one-story building stood where is now the Rollins block. Here Reuben Hosmer lived and had a hatter's shop, using the ground between this building and Cavis's store for a garden. In 1843, Ebenezer Eaton was in trade here, and his goods were assessed for taxation at $100. He removed this building to Summer street, and erected a larger building in its place. Here Orren B. Davis kept a country store from about 1847 till 1852, when he sold his goods at auction, and moved to Franklin.
James T. Sanborn and Joseph F. Rollins were in trade here from 1855 till the fire of July 4, 1861 ; and Henry A. Randophi had a tailor's shop in an addition on the south, at the time of the fire. . Mr. Rollins rebuilt and continued in trade till the spring of 1864, when he was succeeded by George F. Buttrick and John
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R. Sumner, under the firm name of Buttrick & Sumner. Three years later, they were succeeded by Farrar & Boardman, who continued in business till the fire of December, 1871.
The present block was erected in 1872, by Leston L. Rol- lins, and the first occupant in the north stand was Oscar L. Rand, who kept a grocery store for two years. He was suc- ceeded by J. N. & C. H. Dickinson, who were in the clothing business for two years, after which C. H. Dickinson continued the business alone, till he removed to White's block, about 1877. At this time, Miss M. M. Mullen, who had occupied the south stand for many years for a millinery store, moved out, and Wil- liam George came from Emerson's block, and took possession of the entire first floor. He devoted the north room to dry- and fancy-goods and the south room to boots and shoes. This con- tinued till March 1, 1883, when R. A. Horner and C. H. Dickinson purchased his boot and shoe department, and removed the goods to White's block. The vacant store was taken pos- session of by Alfred P. Harriman, who engaged in the shoe trade and continued till 1888, when he was succeeded by Austin H. Roby, who removed to the Emerson block. This stand was again absorbed by Mr. George, and he has continued to occupy the entire floor. He carries a large stock of dry- and fancy- goods, toys, fishing tackle, jewelry, and other lines of goods.
WEST-SIDE DRUG STORE
The first building erected on the site of the west-side drug store was the small workshop that formerly stood in the yard of the A. J. Crockett residence at the junction of Lake and Pleasant streets. In 1827, Squires Brown had a store in this building where he kept for sale confectionery, a few drugs, and intoxicat- ing liquors. Two years later, William L. Chase had here what was probably the first shoe store in Central square. He did not long remain, however, but went to more pretentious quarters in the block that stood on the corner of Central square and Pleasant street.
A larger building took the place of the one removed, and here, from 1831 till 1836, Albert Pearson had a hatter's shop, while Theodore N. Patterson had a tailor's shop from about 1844 till 1848. He also kept a few drugs for sale. He was suc- ceeded by Jacob N. Darling, who continued the tailoring busi- ness for ten years. H. W. Favor and Cyrus Taylor were in the clothing business here about three years, under the firm name of H. W. Favor & Co., and G. G. Brown & Co. followed in the same line till 1867, and they were succeeded by H. A. Randolph, and he by J. N. Dickinson. Charles H. Dickinson became asso- ciated with this business about 1870, and it was continued under the firm name of J. N. Dickinson & Co. till the fire on the night of Dec. 7, 1871.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
The present block was erected in 1872 and, from its com- pletion, has been used as a drug store. Fowler & Co. located here, coming from the Blake block on South Main street. They were followed, about 1880, by Dr. J. W. Preston, and, four years later, he was succeeded by Mallard & Whitton, and they by C. H. Whitton & Co. Mr. Whitton met a tragic fate by his own hand, June 7, 1890, and Charles A. Nelson became proprietor. Mr. Nelson was followed by O. L. Wicks, and he by Fowler & Co., who are still the proprietors here. In the second story Dearborn & Chase have had their law office for some years.
TIN-SHOP SITE
The first building on the west side of Central square next to the bridge was erected about 1850, and Hiram W. Kendall, a dealer in stoves and tinware, was probably the first occupant. The first floor has been used for the same business till now. S. C. Saunders was in trade here about 1855-'61 ; David S. Kid- der, 1861-'66 ; Bingham & George, 1867; A. W. Bingham and Fred W. Bingham, 1867-'85 ; French & Merrill, 1885-'88 ; O. B. French, from 1888 till his death, in October, 1902, and now Emmons & Dolloff.
The second story has been used as photographers' rooms. Among those doing business here were Levi D. Johnson; C. C. Gardner, 1867-'74 ; L. E. Lindsey, 1875 ; P. W. Tennant, 1877 -'79; A. B. Harlow, 1880; P. A. Ellsworth, 1880; Fred H. Briggs, 1881-'90 ; Nicholas & Pressey, 1892 ; W. W. Nicholas, 1893-'95; F. H. Briggs, 1898 ; H. W. Rich; Frank G. Chaffin, 1899-1900; B. J. Whitcomb till 1902.
TUKEY'S BLOCK
Joseph Fowler learned the saddle- and harness-maker's trade of John Nash, in New Hampton, and came to Bristol in 1808. He probably worked at his trade from the time of his first settlement in Bristol, and, as early as 1818, he was occupy- ing a small building next to the bridge from Central square, where is now Chas. H. Tukey's block. This first building, which the old people called a "ten-footer," was occupied by Joseph Fowler till he removed from town, in 1825. In 1829, his son, Oscar F. Fowler, returned to Bristol and took up his father's work at his father's former place of business, and here he continued in business for nearly half a century. Reuben C. Bean was in the shoe business in Bristol in 1838, and quite likely in this building with O. F. Fowler ; but be this as it may, in 1841, he purchased the real estate and erected, on this site, a building about twice the size of the old, two stories high. On its completion, Mr. Fowler occupied the room next to the bridge, while Mr. Bean had a shoe shop in the east end. In November, 1843, Mr. Bean sold the real estate to Mr. Fowler, and went
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into business with Warren White. Mr. Fowler became post- master soon after, and had the post-office in the east room till 1861. In 1862, Abram Dolloff opened, where had been the post-office, the first meat market in town. In 1873, Mr. Fowler sold the west half of this building to E. E. Clark and the east half to C. H. Tukey, and both continued the harness business. Mr. Clark sold to S. W. Call, and Mr. Call had a tin-shop here for a time, and then sold to Mr. Tukey, who has continued the har- ness business till the present. In 1901, this building was enlarged to its present size. Mary M. Mullen had a millinery store in the east room after removing from the Rollins block, and Stephen Valla has had a fruit store here for the last two years.
ABEL BLOCK
In April, 1817, F. J. Tay deeded to Robert Smith a black- smith shop standing on the site of the Abel block. It was described as a blacksmith-shop which he "lately erected stand- ing in the old highway near the turnpike bridge." In Novem- ber, 1818, Robert Smith sold this property to Thomas C. Angel, when it was spoken of as standing between a saddler's shop and the house of Moses Lewis.
This blacksmith shop early gave way to a long, low-posted, one-story dwelling. To this dwelling John S. Bryant moved, on the destruction of his home, in 1829, where the bank block now stands. Here A. J. Smith resided for many years and had a jewelry store in the east end.
The present building was erected by Mr. Smith before the Civil war, and by him sold, about 1870, to William H. Abel, who, some years later, put in a basement and added a French roof. The post-office was in the west room from 1861 till 1875. Since then, this room has been used most of the time as a mil- linery store. Miss Katherine F. George was in trade here from about 1886 till 1893; Mrs. Lizzie E. Webster followed her, and Mrs. Emma B. Freshney is now doing business here.
In 1866, Ingalls & George had a restaurant, or fruit store, in the center room, which has been used as such till now : By D. P. Sargent, 1871-'72 ; John H. Brown, 1873-'75 ; R. A. Horner, 1875-'82; C. H. Calley, 1882-'87; and since then by D. M. Calley.
Mary A. Woolson had a millinery store in this block 1859- '64. J. N. Dickinson was in trade here as a merchant tailor in the east stand, Charles Blackstone had a music room here for a time, and for the last twenty-one years John J. Bryson has had here a hair-dressing room.
Solon Dolloff had a meat market in the west basement for many years till succeeded by Geo. A. Dow, in 1902. In the east basement, N. Giguere had a fish market. He was followed
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by G. A. Ballard, by R. W. Bennett, and by Mrs. E. L. Walker. A Chinaman now has a laundry here.
FOWLER'S BLOCK - EAST SIDE
This block was built by Joseph Cass, about 1848. The north stand was first opened as a drug store Sept. 9, 1848, by Dr. Moody C. Sawyer and Dr. Hadley B. Fowler. In 1855, John M. Cilley, who had been serving here for some time as a clerk, purchased the building and continued the drug busi- ness till his death, in 1865. Charles M. Cilley, his brother, who became connected with the business in 1863, continued till April, 1869, when he was succeeded by Edwin S. Foster, who continued till 1872. Dr. D. E. Wells was then proprietor for a year or so, when Mr. Foster again took charge of the business and closed it out the following year. Dodge & Dolloff were in the meat business here in 1878-'79 ; Solon Dolloff con- tinued the same in 1880-'81; F. M. Beckford had a variety store here in 1883, and Arthur W. Prescott had a variety store here in 1884. In 1886, it was again fitted up as a drug store, this time by Fowler & Co., who continued in trade, at the same time operating the drug store on the west side of Central square.
In the south stand, D. E. Everett had a harness shop for ten years previous to entering the army in 1862 ; Levi L. Bates had a shoe store here in 1870-'75 ; followed by Herbert & George and by Tilton & George. Frank W. Bingham had a harness shop from January, 1878, till 1883, when he removed to South Main street, where he is still in business. Charlotte Dyer had a millinery store here in 1884-'87. She was followed by Mrs. S. M. Ballou, and she by Mrs. Lisette S. Ballou, who is still in trade.
ROBIĘ'S BLOCK
Robie's block on Pleasant street was erected by Charles Boardman, in 1872. After its completion, Mr. Boardman kept a country store in the east stand till October, 1888, when he sold to Alexander & George. Charles E. Davis succeeded Charles A. George, Jan. 1, 1895, and the business has since been con- tinued under the firm name of Alexander & Davis. The west stand was occupied by R. W. Musgrove as a printing-office from June, 1874, till January, 1884. The Lougee Brothers, clothiers, of Laconia, were in trade here in 1888 and '89, and A. W. Homans was in business at the same stand at the same time as a jeweler.
Apr. 2, 1889, this building was gutted by fire, and was soon after purchased and rebuilt by G. A. Robie. Since its comple- tion, the west stand has been occupied by Mr. Robie for a furni- ture store and telephone exchange.
After Mr. Boardman sold his business, in 1888, he engaged in the furniture business in the basement of this block for a few
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months. Abram Dolloff had a meat market in this basement from 1890 till he sold, in June, 1899, to W. L. Dow, who con- tinues the business.
POST-OFFICE BLOCK
The site of the post-office block was occupied by a black- smith shop from 1806 to 1868. The blacksmith business was carried on here by R. H. Sawyer, from 1823 till 1844. Peter A. Sleeper succeeded Mr. Sawyer, Kimball Whitney succeeded to the business in 1847, and William G. Gould was here in 1849. George A. Draper came to Bristol in 1867. He pur- chased this property, remodeled the shop into a dwelling and, later, moved it to where it now stands, back of the post-office block, and commenced the erection of post-office block, when he met with an accident that caused his death in June, 1874. The block was completed by his administrators, and first occupied by the post-office in 1875, and is still used as such. In the lobby of the office, William A. Buswell had a jewelry store from 1875 till 1879. He was succeeded by Anson B. Pray, who was in business till 1902, and during that time served as assistant postmaster.
The south stand in this block was occupied as a millinery store by Eaton & Buttrick in 1875-'76; Buttrick & Knight, 1877-'80 ; A. A. Buttrick & Co., 1880-'84, and by the Bristol Savings bank in 1884-'93. Since 1895, Benjamin C. Gray and others occupied this stand for a barber shop.
BLAKE BLOCK
The Blake block has been occupied for mercantile purposes since 1867, when Blake & Haynes opened a country store in the north stand. Mr. Haynes retired two years later, and Mr. Blake continued till 1872, when he was succeeded by Lucius W. Hammond, who was in trade till his death, in 1882. His son, George H. Hammond, has continued the business.
In the south stand A. D. Thurston had a furniture store in 1868; I. B. Gordon, a printing-office in 1869, and, in 1870, Fowler & Co. opened a drug store and continued till 1872. O. B. Ray was merchant tailor here from about 1874 till 1887, after which he continued business for several years on Lake street. In 1889-'90, Charles Boardman had a furniture store here. From the fall of 1896 till the summer of 1902, J. W. McIntire was merchant tailor here, and A. C. Phipps & Co. have occupied the front part of the same stand as dealers in clothing and gent's furnishing goods from 1897 till now.
BANK SITE
The bank site was apparently first occupied for building purposes in 1819. March 24, 1820, Moses H. Bradley sold to Seth Daniels, and, at this time, there was a barn on this site and a "house which said Daniels has lately hauled and removed
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
onto said premises." In 1824, I. C. Bartlett was the owner. He sold to John Willoughby, and he in turn sold to John S. Bryant, Esq., two years later. Mr. Bryant built "a large colo- nial house" in place of the old one, kept hotel here for a while, and then carried on the cabinet-maker's business in the second story of the ell. These buildings were destroyed by fire Oct. 15, 1829, and, in 1832, Colonel Bryant built the residence that was removed to make way for the bank block. George M. Phelps, Esq., purchased this property, Oct. 13, 1834, and he was suc- ceeded in March, 1835, by Samuel H. Stevens, Esq., who sold to John C. Blaisdell, Feb. 20, 1847. Mr. Blaisdell built, as an addition, the two-story house now standing next south of the M. E. church, in the first story of which Mrs. Blaisdell opened the first millinery store in Bristol. Oct. 29, 1866, Mr. Blaisdell sold to S. K. Mason, Esq., and Dec. 8, 1891, Mrs. S. K. Mason sold to the Bristol Savings bank. The buildings were sold at auction March 15, 1892, and purchased by Thomas T. Drake, and by him removed and refitted into tenements on the old cemetery lot on North Main street. The present bank block was built by the Bristol Savings Bank corporation, M. W. White, W. A. Berry, and B. M. Ames, of the trustees, being a building committee. Ground was broken in April, 1892, and the block was completed in the fall of 1893.
This building is three stories high, built of brick, with Con- cord granite trimmings, 250,000 bricks being used in its con- struction. It faces forty-two feet on Central square and sixty- two feet on North Main street, and stands fifty-two feet high. It is massive and substantial and is an ornament to the town. Its cost was rising $25,000.
The banking rooms occupy the larger part of the ground floor, with entrance on North Main street. Adjoining the bank- ing rooms on the north is a fine store occupied since December, 1894, by Charles E. Rounds, who carries a large stock of dry- and fancy-goods, and has an extensive trade.
The second story is occupied by Dr. George H. Calley and Dr. Channing Bishop. Dr. Calley has the suite of rooms facing North Main street for living rooms, and the suite on the north for an office, while Dr. Bishop has the suite facing Central square for an office. These are all elegant apartments. The whole of the third story is occupied by Union Lodge, No. 79, A. F. and A. M. The banking rooms are finished in oak, all the remaining rooms in cypress. The whole building is heated with steam and lighted with electricity.
BRISTOL CREAMERY
The Bristol Creamery association was organized under the laws of the state in May, 1893. Its capital stock was $2,500, divided into one hundred shares, of $25 each. A creamery
BANK BLOCK
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building, 36 x 44 feet, and fifteen feet posted, was erected in the spring of 1884, on North Main street, equipped with the neces- sary machinery, and a 15-horse-power boiler. It was exempt from taxation for ten years. It started business with the product of from 250 to 300 cows, and its butter found ready market at a fair price. For a time, the enterprise prospered ; but dishonest employees and other causes brought it under a cloud. Its divi- dends were unsatisfactory, suits at law ensued, and mortgages on the property were foreclosed. Finally matters were so adjust- ed that, in March, 1900, the property was leased to the Deerfoot Farm company, which has since done business there, taking from the farmers all the milk they have to dispose of, for which they pay a fair price. This company is now receiving the milk from about 350 cows. No butter is made here by this company, the cream being sent to market. George A. Dow has been in charge of this industry since the Deerfoot Farm com- pany commenced business in Bristol.
MISCELLANEOUS
The building at the corner of Lake street and Hillside avenue was erected by the Grange organization that existed in Bristol in the seventies. The first story was designed for a store, and, in the second story was a hall. Dissensions ended the organization, and this property passed into other hands. The hall was transformed into a tenement. The first story was first used in 1878, when A. P. Harriman and Charles Boardman opened a country store, continuing one year. Lucian A. Ballou, who had been in trade in the building at the junction of Lake and Willow streets, since 1869, removed to this building in 1879, and continued in trade till 1881, when he sold to Seavey & Co., who were in trade till they sold to John S. Conner, in 1884. Mr. Conner was in trade from 1884 till June, 1900, when he sold to Fred E. Noyes, who is still in trade here.
In the summer of 1878, George H. Kendall, when 13 years of age, commenced the sale of lemonade in front of his father's house next east of the bank building. From this small begin- ning his business grew, and, in 1883, he erected a building 12 X 18 feet, and kept a confectionery and fruit store here till 1895. He was followed by N. Giguere, G. S. Tilton, and Leston Welch, and later Mrs. S. N. Colby had a ladies' furnishing store.
Frank P. Hight had a grocery store at the corner of Lake and Union streets about two years from 1892. He was followed by George F. Fifield for about the same time. Since July, 1898, Frank H. Fleer has been in trade there.
Dr. Quincy A. Ballou has practiced dentistry in Bristol since 1882, and has rooms in White's block.
Dr. G. A. Veatter has been practicing dentistry in Bristol since 1899, having rooms in the Abel block.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
John W. Wilbur & Co. have carried on the livery business at the stable connected with Hotel Bristol since November, 1891.
John A. Favor has been in the livery business on Lake street for nine years.
William P. Beede has a livery stable on Water street.
Harry W. Proctor has had a jewelry store on Pleasant street since October, 1901.
H. H. Follansbee and J. D. Follansbee are dealers in furs and hides.
Sam Follansbee has been an auctioneer for many years.
S. S. Quint, Charles E. Locke, F. W. Simonds, A. P. Harri- man, and J. G. Wells are painters and paper hangers.
B. L. & A. Wells and David Perkins are builders.
R. S. Hastings is a surveyor and a millwright.
Charles W. Sanborn, Fred E. Gates, and George Gates are - masons.
M. W. Rowe is an upholsterer.
Mrs. Francena Crosby and Mrs. Hulda L. Burleigh are keeping boarding-houses.
A building off from Beech street has been used for many years as a blacksmith shop. Melvin H. Johnson carried on this business here for some years. J. D. Webber was in business here for ten years from 1890, and was followed by C. C. Martin, who remained till November, 1902. Mr. Webber is again con- ducting this business.
Since 1880, C. A. Smith has operated a blacksmith shop and carriage shop on Lake street.
Anson Buxton has had a blacksmith shop on Merrimack street since 1879.
Joseph Decato has had a blacksmith shop near the junction of Willow with Lake street for several years past.
Alvah A. Veasey has had a meat market on Pleasant street since 1898.
George A. Robie has conducted the undertaker's business from 1861 till now.
For seventeen years previous to 1890, Mrs. S. M. Ballou had a millinery store on Lake street, in the building now occu- pied by John A. Favor as a residence.
Fred W. Ballou was engaged in watch and clock repairing from 1868 to 1875, being located at the corner of Central square and Spring street and on Pleasant street.
The first bakery was opened by Kendall Brothers, in 1892.
In 1898, Smith D. Fellows erected greenhouses on Merri- mack street. He had over 8,000 square feet under glass, which were heated with two 35-horse-power boilers. He did a good business, but in the fall of 1901, removed to Massachusetts.
Charles Forrest and James T. Sanborn, under the firm name of Sanborn & Forrest, and as individuals, were engaged
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for many years as carpenters and builders, and erected many buildings in town, among them the schoolhouse of Union Dis- trict and hotel. They also rebuilt the Congregational church.
Silas W. Call was a dealer in stoves and tinware for about eight years previous to 1883, first in the Tukey block and later in the Call block on Spring street.
The double tenement house at the corner of South Main and Beech streets was erected by D. S. Smith, in the early thirties. Here Mr. Smith kept store and sold watered rum.I Here S. S. Sanborn and S. S. Worthing opened a wholesale grocery store in 1848, it being supposed that the railroad would make Bristol a great center for trade.
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