USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 45
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Dr. HADLEY BRADLEY FOWLER was a native of Bridge- water. He was educated in the schools of Bristol and the academy at Hebron. He studied medicine with Dr. Moody C. Sawyer in Bristol, and was graduated from Dartmouth Medical school in 1850. Soon after his graduation, he located in Alex- andria, and removed to Bristol in 1854, and here, with the exception of three years in the army during the War of the Rebellion, he remained till his death, Jan. 11, 1893. (See Roll of Honor.) He had a large practice and stood high as a physi- cian, and was especially skilful as a surgeon. He was popular in the community and prominent in town affairs. He served six years on the board of education and two years as town clerk. He was active and well known in Odd Fellow circles. He was one year the nominee of the Democratic party for rail- road commissioner. (See Gen. )
Dr. AUSTIN S. DURKEE, of the botanical school, was in practice in Bristol a few years, removing to New Hampton in
MAJ. HADLEY B. FOWLER, M. D.
GEN. GEORGE H. CALLEY, M. D.
415
LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS
1873. He was the son of Samuel Durkee, and was born in Williamstown, Vt., Feb. 15, 1806, and died in Franklin, Feb. 24, 1881. June 18, 1829, he married Sarah M. Ausment, by whom he had five children. One son, Freeman A., is a practic- ing physician at Lakeport.
Dr. LUCIUS ELBRIDGE TRUESDELL was born in Monson, Mass., May 10, 1818. After having practiced medicine for some years, he gave his attention to mining. He came to Bristol from Springfield, Mass., about 1875, and opened the silver mine in North Bristol. While doing this and subsequently, he prac- ticed medicine to some extent. He died in Bristol, June 7, 1890.
Dr. DANIEL W. HAZELTON was in practice in Bristol from the fall of 1877 till the fall of 1879. During his brief residence in Bristol, he gained a high position in the esteem of the public as a man and as a skilful physician. Dr. Hazelton was born in Hebron, May II, 1824, and died at Bellows Falls, Vt., Jan. 31; 1901. He was educated in the academy at Hebron under Prof: Hiram Orcutt; studied with Dr. Gilman Kimball, at Lowell; Mass., and was graduated from the Vermont Medical school at Woodstock, Vt., in 1848. He located at Antrim, where he remained two years. He practiced a short time in Stoddard; and, in 1851, located in Cavendish, Vt., where he remained till 1878, when he came to Bristol and purchased the practice of Dr. Hadley B. Fowler. He remained in Bristol only two or three years, removing to Springfield, Vt. During the Civil war, he was one of four surgeons commissioned by the governor of the state to act for the Vermont soldiers in emergencies, and he rendered efficient service after several battles. He represented Cavendish in the Vermont legislature in 1876. He was in practice fifty-six years. He was a most successful practicioner; of broad sympathy and good judgment. Nov. 5, 1850, he mar- ried Lauretta L. Hammond, who died Sept. 15, 1892. A son, William F. Hazelton, is a practicing physician at Bellows Falls, Vt.
Dr. GEORGE H. CALLEY is a native of Bristol. He was educated in the schools of Bristol and at the New Hampton Literary institution. He studied medicine in the office of Dr. Hadley B. Fowler, and was one year at Princeton college. In the summer of 1878, he accompanied the Princeton Observatory party, under Professors Young and Brackett, to Denver, for observing the eclipse of the sun, where he was on the photogra- pher's staff. He was graduated from the Columbia college of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York city, in 1880, and located in Bristol, where he has since been in practice, doing a large and successful business. In 1883, he was appointed Sur- geon General on the staff of Gov. Hale. Dr. Calley is a past master of Union Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and is a Knight Templar. He is a leading Republican and prominent citizen.
416
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
He has served on the board of education and represented his town in the legislature of 1887. He has served as a trustee of the Minot-Sleeper library and treasurer of the board since its organization ; is president of the Bristol Savings bank, and a director of the First National bank. (See Gen.)
Dr. JOHN CHARLES WHEET was born in Groton, Feb. 15, 1840. He was educated at Dartmouth, Harvard, and Bowdoin colleges, being graduated from Bowdoin in the spring of 1866. Soon after, he began the practice of his chosen profession in Suncook village. Three years later, he purchased the prac- tice of Dr. John Whitmore, of Hebron, and succeeded to his practice in Hebron, Groton, and adjoining towns. In 1883, he removed to Bristol. Here he at once took high rank as a physi- cian, which he maintained till his death. He was skilful and conscientious in his practice and responded as quickly to calls where he could expect no compensation as to calls from the most favored. He occupied a warm place in the hearts of his patients and of the public as well. He was a Democrat, a mem- ber of the Congregational church, and he served several years on the board of education. On Tuesday, July 6, 1897, he was severely injured by being thrown from his carriage, his horse taking fright at a bolt of lightning striking near by. On Sun- day, following, while confined to his bed as the result of this accident, he was stricken with apoplexy, and died. (See Gen.)
Dr. CHANNING BISHOP is a son of Dr. James M. Bishop, and a native of Bristol. He was educated at the seminary at Tilton, from which he was graduated in June, 1884; at Brown univer- sity ; at Boston University School of Medicine, graduating in June, 1889. Soon after, he opened an office in Bristol and has since been in practice here doing an extensive and lucrative business. He is an Odd Fellow ; a past master of Union Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and a Knight Templar. He has served six years on the board of education and four years as superinten- dent of schools. He has been secretary of the board of trustees of Minot-Sleeper library since 1891 ; is an official member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a Republican in politics.
Dr. ARTHUR V. DOUD was born in New Haven, Vt., Oct. 23, 1867. He was graduated from the Lyndon Commercial college in 1887; attended St. Johnsbury academy and Lyndon Literary institute, for four years, graduating from the latter in 1892. He was graduated from the Medical department of the University of Michigan, in 1896. He practiced one year in Hill and located in Bristol in July, 1897, and at once secured an extensive and lucrative practice. (See Gen.)
Dr. JOHN W. COOLIDGE was educated in the high school at Hancock and at Dartmouth Medical college, from which he was graduated Feb. 26, 1901, receiving the degree of M. D. He commenced practice in Bristol Apr. 1, 1901, and has a good
JOHN C. WHEET, M.D.
CHANNING BISHOP, M. D.
ARTHUR V. DOUD, M. D.
/
JOHN W. COOLIDGE, M. D.
417
LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS
practice in Bristol and adjoining towns. He is a member of the Methodist church, and in politics is of Republican antecedents. (See Gen.)
Dr. FRED EUGENE WHEET was b. in North Andover, Mass., Nov. 11, 1867. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy among the honor men, in 1889, and in medicine from the New York University in 1892. He located in Bristol with his uncle, Dr. John C. Wheet, in May, 1892, but removed to Stevens' Point, Wis., in August, 1893. Since July, 1898, has been in practice in Rumford Falls, Me.
27
CHAPTER XXXIV
BANKS AND NEWSPAPERS
To whom can riches give repute or trust, Content, or pleasure, but the good and just ? -Pope.
THE BRISTOL SAVINGS BANK
The Bristol Savings bank was incorporated July 1, 1868. The incorporators were William A. Berry, Albert Blake, George G. Brown, Levi Bartlett, Frederick Bartlett, James M. Bishop, Charles Boardman, Allen W. Bingham, George M. Cavis, George T. Crawford, Ira S. Chase, Daniel S. Chase, John M. R. Emmons, George W. Dow, Samuel Dustin, Lewis W. Fling, Hadley B. Fowler, Oscar F. Fowler, Samuel D. Farrar, Benja- min Q. Fellows, Benjamin F. Holden, Jr., Jeremiah A. Haynes, Silas Ketchum, William G. Kelley, William C. Lovejoy, Levi Locke, David Mason, Samuel K. Mason, Oscar F. Morse, Richard W. Musgrove, Benjamin F. Perkins, David P. Pres- cott, David H. Rice, Samuel H. Rollins, Solon S. Southard, James T. Sanborn, Cyrus Taylor, John P. Taylor, Warren White, Horace M. Emmons, and Marshall W. White.
This bank was authorized to do business for a term of twenty years, but, by a subsequent change, its charter became perpetual. The corporation was given the power to hold real estate for the purpose of discharging debts previously incurred, not to exceed $10,000 in value at the time of purchase or acceptance. This was amended in 1879, so that the corporation was given the power to hold and dispose of real estate "which may have been or may hereafter be in good faith pledged and mortgaged for the security of its loans or debts," as well as for the discharge of debts previously incurred, and by an amend- ment passed in 1893 the limit to the value of real estate allowed to be held was placed at $30,000.
The incorporators organized Mar. 23, 1872, at the office of Samuel K. Mason. This meeting adjourned from time to time till April 9, when the following officers were elected : President, Samuel K. Mason ; vice-president, George M. Cavis ; treasurer, Samuel E. Holden ; trustees, Samuel K. Mason, George M. Cavis, Lewis W. Fling, David Mason, Benjamin F. Holden, Jr., Albert Blake, Edwin C. Lewis, George T. Crawford, and Wil- liam A. Berry. Feb. 5, 1875, S. E. Holden resigned as treas-
419
BANKS AND NEWSPAPERS
urer, being about to remove to California, and George M. Cavis resigned as vice-president. These vacancies were filled by the election of George M. Cavis as treasurer, and David Mason, vice-president. Hon. S. K. Mason died June 13, 1882, and Hon. L. W. Fling was elected president. He served till the annual meet- ing in 1890, when he was succeeded by Hon. Benjamin F. Per- kins, who served till June, 1896, when Dr. George H. Calley was elected president. Dr. Calley is still serving in this capa- city. David Mason served as vice-president till June, 1890, when Burley M. Ames was elected and is still serving.
Feb. 5, 1884, the business had increased to such an extent that an assistant was needed for the treasurer, and Charles W. Fling was elected teller, and, Nov. 4, 1889, was made assistant treasurer. July 17, 1890, he was succeeded in this position by William C. White. Dec. 21, 1891, Mr. Cavis died and Mr. White at once succeeded him as acting treasurer, and Raymond Cavis became teller. Apr. 9, 1892, Mr. White was elected treasurer, and he is still serving. Raymond Cavis served as teller till 1898, when he was succeeded by William H. Marston, who still occupies this position. Edwin M. Davis has served as clerk since 1898. The bank was formally opened for business Apr. 30, 1872, and S. K. Mason, Mrs. Mason, and Miss Ethel were the first depositors, each depositing $100.
The first place of business was in the office of S. K. Mason in a small building that stood at the southeast corner of the present bank lot, and continued there till Mr. Holden retired from the office of treasurer, when Mr. Cavis removed it to his counting room in the rear part of his store. Here it remained till April, 1884, when it was removed to the south room of the Post-office block, where it remained till it was moved into its present commodious quarters, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1893.
The banking rooms are located in the south half of the first story of the bank block with the entrance on North Main street. The main room is 25 X 32 feet, with a lobby twenty-five feet deep, sixteen feet wide in front, and nine feet wide in the rear, the partition crossing the room diagonally with set-offs, the set-offs, of which there are three, having a wicket for treasurer, teller, and bookkeeper, respectively. This room is finished in antique quartered oak, hardwood floor, with steel panel ceiling, and is spacious, elegant, and convenient. The windows are of plate glass, each six feet high, that on Central square being eight feet wide, and the two on North Main street being ten and five feet, respectively. The vault opens from this room and is located in the southeast corner of the building. It stands on a mas- sive foundation of stone and brick, built up from the cellar bottom to the level of the floor, and has a walk around it. The walls and the top of the vault are of brick, iron, and steel. There is an inner and an outer door. The inner door is made of
420
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
drill-proof steel, provided with two combination locks. The outer door is of steel, with a three-movement time lock, and is fitted with Damon patent gravity automatic bolt work. This door is a beautiful piece of mechanism, weighs 4,300 pounds, and is pro- vided with all the latest devices against burglary. Inside the vault is a drill-proof steel safe with two combination locks. In this the cash and securities of the bank are kept. The vault has a capacity for three hundred safety boxes. At the left of the vault is the directors' room, 14 x 16 feet, and toilet room, 6 x 12 feet. These rooms, like the banking rooms, are finished in quartered oak. The cost of this building, including burglar proof vaults, was rising $25,000.
From the first, the Bristol Savings bank has been remark- ably successful. The first year there was deposited $30,596.38. At the close of the fifth year, the deposits amounted to $149,- 798 ; in April, 1885, the deposits had reached $453,810, while just twenty-one years after the opening of the bank, the total assets had reached the large sum of $726,234.
Samuel E. Holden was the son of Benjamin F. Holden, of West Concord. He was educated at Tilton seminary and at Middletown university, served a time in the army, read law, and came to Bristol in 1872, and became a partner of Hon. S. K. Mason in the practice of law.
George M. Cavis was a native of Bristol, for many years a successful trader in town and an excellent financier.
William C. White, the present treasurer, is also a native of Bristol. He was born May 31, 1865, and was, at the time of his election, probably the youngest treasurer of a savings bank in the state. After leaving the public schools of Bristol, he entered Tilton seminary, where he was graduated in June, 1885, but he continued his studies there for a year longer, taking a post-graduate course. In 1887, he entered the Littleton National bank as clerk and remained there till January, 1890, when he accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Littleton Lumber com- pany. There he remained till elected assistant treasurer of the Bristol Savings bank.
Trustees
. Samuel K. Mason, 1872-'82
William A. Berry, 18721
George M. Cavis, 1872-'75 Lewis W. Fling, 1872-'89 David Mason, 1872-'98
Cyrus Taylor, 1873-'74 Lucius W. Hammond, 1873-'82
Benj. F. Perkins, 18751
Benj. F. Holden, 1872-'83
John P. Taylor, 1875
Albert Blake, 1872-'92
Marshall W. White, 18761
Edwin C. Lewis, 1872 Robt. A. Horner, 1883-'89 Eben. K. Pray, 1883-1901
George T. Crawford, 1872
1 Still serving.
421
BANKS AND NEWSPAPERS
Burley M. Ames, 1884ª
Henry C. Whipple, 1890'
George H. Calley, 18901
Charles H. Proctor, 1893ª
Charles E. Mason, 1899-1900 Orrin S. Gale, 19001
John S. Conner, 19021
Presidents
Samuel K. Mason, 1872-'82 Benj. F. Perkins, 1890-'96
Lewis W. Fling, 1882-'90 George H. Calley, 1896'
Vice-Presidents
George M. Cavis, 1872-'75 Burley M. Ames, 1890 David Mason, 1875-'90
Treasurers
Samuel E. Holden, 1872-'75 William C. White, 18921
George M. Cavis, 1875-'91
Assistant Treasurers
Charles W. Fling, 1889-'90 William C. White, 1890-'92
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BRISTOL
The First National bank of Bristol was organized Sept. 28, 1898. The capital stock was $50,000, divided into 500 shares of $100 each. The following were elected as a board of directors : William C. White, Henry C. Whipple, Marshall W. White, George H. Calley, George B. Cavis, Burley M. Ames, Daniel B. Weymouth, John S. Conner, and Benjamin F. Perkins. The directors organized Sept. 30, by the election of Henry C. Whipple as president ; Benjamin F. Perkins, vice- president ; William C. White, cashier ; discount committee, the president, cashier, Daniel B. Weymouth, George H. Calley, and John S. Conner. M. W. White, J. S. Conner, and D. B. Wey- mouth have retired as directors, and Clarence N. Merrill, Frank P. Fields, and Fred A. Spencer have taken their places. Messrs. Calley, Cavis, and Ames are now serving on the discount commit- tee. William H. Marston of Oakland, Me., commenced his ser- vices as teller on the opening of the bank, and Edwin M. Davis as clerk, and they are still serving.
This bank opened for business Dec. 1, 1898, in the rooms of the Bristol Savings bank. Although having had an existence of but little more than four years, it is doing a business of nearly $2,000,000 per year. Its officers are men of known capa- city and business integrity, and the bank, therefore, occupies an honorable position in the business world.
I Still serving.
27a
422
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
NEWSPAPERS
In May, 1869, Isaac B. Gordon, who had had a printing- office in Bristol a year or two, started a twenty-four-column folio newspaper called the Bristol Weekly News. After having con- tinued its publication a few months, he removed his office to an old church in South Alexandria, where he continued its publication till the paper had completed its first year. That same week the building and office were destroyed by fire.
In, December, 1870, R. W. Musgrove opened a printing- office in the southeast room of the second story of White's block, and, about 1874, removed to Robie's block. Here, June 28, 1878, he issued the first number of the Bristol Weekly Enterprise. This was a four-page sixteen-column sheet, only 10 x 14 inches to the page. It was received with such favor that after four issues it was slightly enlarged, three inches being added to its length. At the end of five months, two pages were added, and, with the first issue in January, 1879, a twenty-four-column folio was issued, the outside being printed in Boston. Commencing with the fourth volume in June, 1881, it was enlarged to a twenty-eight-column folio, and with the first number of the seventh volume, increased to a thirty-two-column folio. At this time, it had a circulation of 1,600. Commencing with the tenth volume, it was made an all-home print. With the issue of Dec. 13, 1900, it was made an eight-page forty-eight-column quarto, and a slight change was made in name, dropping the word "Weekly," making it simply The Bristol Enterprise. This paper has ranked among the best of the weekly papers of the state. In January, 1884, the office was removed to its present quarters, on Central street, and thereafter operated by water- power.
CHAPTER XXXV
FIRE PRECINCT AND AQUEDUCT COMPANY
Hear the loud alarum bells- Brazen bells ! What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells !
-Poe
BRISTOL VILLAGE FIRE PRECINCT
Previous to 1858, Bristol village had no facilities to fight fire other than the water pail. About this time, the hand tub, that still does service, was purchased through the efforts of Gustavus Bartlett, Capt. George W. Dow, and others. In 1859, the town was asked to build, or assist in building, an engine- house and declined to do either, and the engine was, therefore; housed in the wagon-shed of Capt. Dow on Union street.
July 4, 1861, came the greatest conflagration in the history of the town, when the entire west side of Central square was destroyed. At the next town meeting, in March, 1862, it was voted to adopt Chapter 116 of the Revised Statutes for the purpose of forming a fire precinct of the village school districts. A meeting of the voters of the precinct was held June 3, 1862, when H. B. Fowler was chosen moderator, and M. W. White, clerk. Firewards were elected and steps taken looking to the organization of an engine company, and a cheap fire engine- house was erected at the junction of South Main and High streets. This appears to have been the end of this effort. A little later, Warren White and others placed a force-pump and wheel at the lower end of the flume connected with the grist-mill on Central street, and laid four-inch iron pipe to Central square and to the Junction of Central and Merrimack streets. This afforded some protection for a limited area.
In March, 1871, the following petition was presented to the selectmen :
To the selectmen of the town of Bristol :
The undersigned, legal voters of the village of Bristol in said town, request you to fix by suitable boundaries a village fire district, including such village and such parts of said town as may seem to you convenient, and to make a record thereof.
R. B. Locke D. S. Fowler
J. A. Haynes Geo. M. Cavis Samuel Page J. P. Taylor
H. B. Fowler
L. S. Wallace
L. W. Fling
D. R. Smith
H. C. Tabor
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
On receipt of this petition, the selectmen established bounds for a village fire precinct, and made a record thereof as follows :
Persuant to the foregoing application of ten or more legal voters of the village of Bristol in the town of Bristol, we hereby fix by suitable boundaries a village fire district including said village, to be known as "Bristol Village Fire District" and to be bounded as follows :
Beginning at the south east corner of Milo Fellows' land on Pemi- gewasset river, at the south west corner of land of Warren White, thence northerly on said Fellows easterly line to the New Hamp- ton road, to the south east corner of land of Levi Locke, thence northerly on the easterly line of said Locke's land to the north-easterly corner of the same, thence westerly on the northerly line of said Locke's land, and northerly line of land of heirs of Levi Bartlett and the southerly line of Joseph Kidder's pasture to the old turnpike, thence northerly on said old turnpike to the northerly line of Cyrus Taylor's land, thence westerly on said Taylor's northerly line to the east corner of John F. Cass' land, thence westerly on said Cass' southerly line till it strikes Newfound river, thence down said river to the north east corner of Blake & Mason's Blaisdell land, thence westerly and southerly on the northerly and westerly lines of said Blaisdell's land, to the highway near the cemetery, thence on said highway to the corner between land of Albert Blake and Frederick Bartlett, thence southerly on said Blakes' westerly line, to the north westerly corner of said Blake's land, thence easterly on the south- erly line of said Blake's land to land of Stephen A. Oakley, thence southerly on the westerly line of said Oakley's land, and the westerly lines of land of George W. Sumner and heirs of S. S. Southard and easterly on said Southard's easterly line to land of Abram Dolloff, thence easterly on said Dolloff's southerly line to said Pemigewasset river, thence up said river to the bound begun at.
Witness our hands this 31st day of March, 1871.
Wm. A. Berry, Selectmen of
Geo. T. Crawford, Bristol.
These bounds were later so changed as to include the paper mills of Mason-Perkins Paper company and the farm of John F. Cass.
A meeting of the voters of the precinct was held at the town hall, Apr. 18, 1871, when William A. Berry was chosen moderator, and George H. Fowler, clerk. It was then voted to accept the bounds fixed by the selectmen ; to pay firemen twenty-five cents per hour for attendance on regular meetings of the company, and forty cents per hour when at fires. George T. Crawford, Robert S. Hastings, and Benjamin F. Perkins were elected firewards. In March, following, the town voted to assist the fire precinct to the extent of $2,000 in the amount expended or to be expended for the protection of the village from fire.
In the summer of 1878, a new force-pump with a capacity of 750 gallons per minute replaced the old pump on Central street, and, in 1886, a new Hunt wheel took the place of the old wheel to drive the pump, greatly increasing its efficiency. This change cost $250. Later, the old pump was placed in the
425
FIRE PRECINCT AND AQUEDUCT COMPANY
building now owned by Calley & Currier on the south side of the river, and a pipe laid from it to the west side of South Main street. In 1889, the new force-pump was removed from the grist- mill to the pulp-mill of the Train-Smith company, at the invita- tion of this company, and was connected with a 400-horse-power wheel. Four hundred feet of six-inch iron pipe was laid to connect this pump with the pipe already laid in Central street and Central square. This change greatly enlarged the capacity of this pump. That year, the present engine-house was built, 28 X 42 feet, two stories. The bell, presented by the Bristol Water Power company, is the same as hung in the belfry of the old woolen-mill near the railroad station.
In 1885, the question of a water supply from Newfound lake, or some other source, was agitated. Meetings were held by the precinct to consider the matter, and a committee, consist- ing of John H. Brown, M. W. White, and B. F. Perkins, was appointed to investigate the subject and report. This commit- tee reported in favor of a supply from the lake. This agitation resulted in the formation of the Bristol Aqueduct company in March, 1886, which put in a system of water works from the lake the following summer.
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