USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Cornish > History of the town of Cornish, New Hampshire, with genealogical record, 1763-1910, Vol. I > Part 26
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MRS. WINSTON CHURCHILL.
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can Club were embodied in the Republican state platform. Five candidates were in the field, and on the first ballot Mr. Churchill had 157 delegates. He led the candidates on the eighth ballot, but did not have the required number of votes for election, and he was defeated by a margin of fifty-two votes on the ninth. The nominee of the convention failed of election at the polls in November and his election was made by the Legislature when it met in January.
One of the victories of the reform element in the Legislature ("Churchill Republicans," as they were pleased to call themselves) was the passage of the present anti-pass law, this being one of the important planks in the platform.
Early in the spring of 1907 Mr. Churchill was again requested to be a candidate, but this honor he declined, believing that he could do more good for the cause he had at heart by being in a disinterested position.
Mr. Churchill was married in St. Louis, Mo., October 22, 1895, to Miss Mabel Harlakenden Hall, of illustrious English descent, and they have two children, Mabel Harlakenden, born July 9, 1897, and John Dwight Winston, born December 21, 1903.
LEVI HENRY COBB, D. D.
A truthful sketch of Doctor Cobb is but little short of an eulogy. His useful life chiefly transpired within the radius of the remembrance and knowledge of the writer, who is therefore pre- pared to heartily endorse the many tributes offered to his memory. Chief among these memorials is that of Charles H. Richards, D.D. of New York, from whose gifted pen the writer has quoted exten- sively and for which he would return all grateful acknowl- edgment.
Levi Henry Cobb was born in Cornish, June 30, 1827. He was the son of Levi and Calista (Bugbee) Cobb, who lived the simple and quiet farmer life in the northern part of the town. Here the son had the practical training of the farmer boy, which was of great value to him in his after life. The influence, too, of that Christian home was mighty in molding his character for fitness for the service he afterwards rendered. He became a member of the Congregational Church in Cornish on March 3, 1839. After this he resolved to obtain a liberal education with the hope that God would open the way for him into the Christian ministry.
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He seemed inspired with an ambition to make the most of his powers that he might be of the greatest possible service to his fellowmen.
With this end in view he entered Kimball Union Academy in 1847. This famous school gave him the intellectual drill and spiritual development which he needed. He was a diligent student and a leader in the religious life of the academy.
Graduating from the academy in 1850, he entered Dartmouth
REV. LEVI H. COBB.
College and graduated from it in the class of 1854. He had many distinguished classmates, among whom he made his mark as a young man of vigorous intellect, inflexible principle, genial and devotedly Christian. Rev. Charles Caverno, a classmate of his, thus writes of him: "I know of no other one of my classmates who has seemed to walk so continually and directly to the end he had in view as Levi H. Cobb. There seems to me a straight line from the time I first knew him to the time of his departure to the life of Heaven,-just a straight line and the duties done
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that belonged to that line. That he was good, we all knew; but he was a great man. He not only did good work, but a great amount of it. He did not write in the sand, but in human souls and that will live in influence in this world, and in the world to come forever and ever."
He completed his preparation for his life work at Andover Theological Seminary in 1857. A parish was already awaiting him in North Andover, Mass., whose call he had accepted and he was ordained there the following autumn.
Of his feelings concerning the great work he had undertaken he has written: "From an early day, far back in my home life on the paternal farm, my soul has gone out warmly and with constancy towards the work of the ministry. And when, after years of waiting, on the 28th day of October, 1857, ordaining hands were laid upon my head, setting me apart to the work of the ministry, it was the happiest day of my life up to that point. The work has grown in endearment. The seven years of my first pastorate were an upward inclined plane of increasing enjoyment in it, and love toward my co-workers there. There was not an office in the gift of my nation, nor a throne on which any nation in the old world could have placed me, which I would have ex- changed for the place God gave me in the hearts of that people."
During this pastorate, on January 12, 1858, he married Miss Harriet J. Herrick of Essex, Vt., whose acquaintance he had formed at the academy in Meriden. She has been a true helpmeet in all his fields of service. Four children have gladdened their home. (See Cobb Gen.)
The condition of his health required him to give up his pastor- ate at North Andover, and he went south to Memphis, Tenn., where, for nearly two years he was superintendent of schools for white refugees and colored people. After this he returned to New England and took an important position as teacher in Kimball Union Academy, where he had prepared for college. Here he was exceedingly popular and successful in his work. But greatly as he enjoyed teaching, his heart was in the ministry.
After two years at Meriden, he was unanimously and enthusi- astically called to the pastorate of the church in Springfield, Vt. Entering upon this work May 2, 1867, he enjoyed another pas- torate of seven years. Those years were very fruitful. More than ninety new members were received into the church the
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second year. The church grew so they were led to the building of a new and attractive sanctuary, all paid for by the grateful people. During these seven years he had the joy of welcoming into his church two hundred and sixty-four members. Other records of the church and pastor during those years gave evi- dence of a remarkably successful pastorate.
Again, by reason of his health, he was induced to sever his loving connection with this people and try the climate of the Northwest. He was appointed Home Missionary superintendent for Minnesota, with home at Minneapolis. Here, again, he put in seven years of heroic service. The statistics of these services and their results are truly wonderful. The limits of this sketeh will not allow their mention.
During the year 1881, by request he became General Home Missionary secretary for the Rocky Mountain distriet with head- quarters at Denver, Colo. This extensive and important field he was obliged to relinquish owing to his election in February, 1882, as secretary of the American Congregational Union, which at that time, was the name of the Congregational Church Build- ing Society.
He entered at once upon that office which he held for twenty- one years. It proved to be the greatest work of his life and the one by which he will be longest remembered. The recital of his activities and of the vast results accomplished during these twenty-one years would fill volumes. More than two thousand churches and nearly half that number of parsonages, scattered throughout our country, all owe their existence to the prayerful and untiring efforts of Doctor Cobb. What monuments to his memory as viewed from the earth side, while from the heaven- ward side no human being can estimate their importance! Eternity alone can reveal.
With lavish expenditure of vital power, he gave himself to this work which he loved. He traveled from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Lakes to the Gulf, visiting the churches and estimating their opportunities. He was in every national council to tell how the work was faring. He was delegate to the two international couneils-in London in 1891 and in Boston in 1899. He was trustee of Carlton College in Minnesota, and of Rollins College in Florida. He was for thirty-three years a corporate member of the "American Board." He was a member of the
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Anthropological Society and of the American Institute of Chris- tian Philosophy. He also edited twenty-one volumes of the Church-Building Quarterly.
At length, when seventy-five years of age, his health suddenly failed. Up to that time his form had been as erect and his step as strong and steady as that of one twenty years younger. He was compelled to retire from active service, but as an expression of respect and honor for his long and distinguished services, he was made secretary emeritus of the society.
In his enfeebled condition, his indomitable spirit, though sweetly submissive to the Divine decree, was restless on behalf of the cause he loved so well. He still continued to send out arti- cles and letters which were effective helpers in the good cause. His parting message, published in the Quarterly almost on the day of his death, shows the same clear intellect, the same ardent devotion to the Kingdom of God as aforetime. 'Twas like the dying soldier's bugle call for a charge as he falls upon the field.
Thus he passed within the vale. God called him with all his trained powers to a still larger service in that unseen country. For him, death was a promotion.
On the 8th of February, 1906, three days after his decease, his weary form was laid to rest beside his dear ones in his former parish in Springfield, Vt.
"Servant of God, well done; Rest from thy loved employ."
DR. DAVID L. M. COMINGS.
Dr. David L. M. Comings was the son of Uriel and Sarah (Robinson) Comings and was born in Cornish, October 14, 1825. After leaving the district school he pursued a three years' course of study at Norwich University, then under the charge of the lamented General Ransom.
In 1847 he commenced the study of medicine and graduated from the Medical School at Castleton, Vt., in the spring of 1850. Soon after this he began the practice of his profession at Plain- field, where he remained two years. While there he made the acquaintance of Eliza W. Wardner of Plainfield, whom he married November 24, 1851; they never had any children. In the
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spring of 1852 he located at the village of West Swanzey, N. H., where he continued in the practice of his profession with increasing success until he entered the military service of his country at the opening of the Civil War. Those who knew him best during this active practice in Swanzey, remember him not merely for his devotion to his profession. They remember him also as the upright and conscientious citizen who did not turn from the path of duty through fear or favor, but interested himself in whatever pertained to the peace and good order of society. He was ever found faithful to the cause of education, temperance and social improvement. His kindly and Christian bearing in the domestic circle can be appreciated only by those who had the opportunity to observe him at his own fireside, surrounded by those whom he most loved and trusted. The perfect control which he ever maintained over his feelings, the self-discipline which never allowed an angry or unkind word to escape his lips gave him a serenity of temper which hardly belonged to one of his ardent temperament.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion, although not in political sympathy with the administration, he cheerfully put forth his efforts to put down armed treason and to uphold the government of his country. He did not stop to inquire what course others intended to pursue, but chose his position promptly and main- tained it to the end.
When further surgical assistance was required in the Depart- ment of the South, in the spring of 1862, he cheerfully offered his services and was commissioned as assistant surgeon of the Fourth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. He remained in sole charge of that regiment for some time, much to the satis- faction of the soldiers and officers. After some months of faith- ful and devoted service to the sick and wounded, his health failed, and he was reluctantly compelled to leave the scene of his active and useful labors. After a protracted and painful journey he reached his home in Swanzey accompanied by his faithful companion in life, who was at his side from the first of his illness. After a lapse of some weeks of suffering and weak- ness, which medical skill could not overcome, he closed his earthly career without a murmur, and with full consciousness to the last.
Doctor Comings died on the first day of August, 1863, leaving
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to the world the example of a man who had performed his duties with integrity and fidelity. In the language of one who knew him best, and was with him to the last, "he died as he had lived, a Christian."
AUSTIN CORBIN.
This man was not a native of Cornish, nor did he ever reside within its limits. The writer, however, feels justified in presenting his name and merits by reason of the fact that he purchased and owned more of the territory of Cornish than any other indi- vidual, unless we except the primitive owners of the town. For account of this, the reader is referred to "Blue Mountain Park Association" (which see).
Austin Corbin was born July 11, 1827, in Newport, N. H. After a good publie school education, he went, in 1846, to Boston and was employed as a clerk one year. He then studied law; graduated from Harvard Law School in 1849, and he began practice in New Hampshire in partnership with Ralph Metcalf, who afterwards became governor of the state. Like many other young men he longed for the West. In 1851, he went to Daven- port, Ia., in the practice of law. This he soon abandoned and gave his attention to schemes of finance that opened propitiously and developed successfully. He was a man of large conceptions and sought to use his capital for the development of plans along large enterprises. He first gave his attention to the improvement of Manhattan Beach, and the building thereon of two hotels, etc. He then gave his attention to the "Long Island Railway," then insolvent, and established it upon a sound and profitable basis. He did the same with the Reading Railroad-then in bank- ruptey. This was the most stupendous undertaking he had ever assumed and he became its president. He also became deeply interested in making the extreme eastern end of Long Island a terminus for a trans-Atlantic steamship line, which would con- siderably lessen the time in going to Europe. Had he lived, this latter enterprise would doubtless have been carried out.
When Mr. Corbin left Davenport, Ia., he came to New York City, where he organized the "Corbin Banking Company" on Broadway. This institution continued in a thriving condition during, and in connection with, all his other vast business enterprises.
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Mr. Corbin never lost his love for nature or for his native town. He established his summer home in Newport, N. H., on the home- stead where he was born. This home and its surroundings was admirably fitted up with everything needful and attractive. He purchased fourteen hundred aeres more of land adjoining it on which he contemplated making great improvements. After this he bought large tracts of land and established the extensive game preserve, ealled the "Blue Mountain Park Association" (which see).
His purposes regarding this park and the many landholders adjoining it were on a large and munificent scale, and had he lived a few years longer, he would have verified the wisdom of his plans.
But a sad and tragic death awaited him. When seemingly in the midst of, and near the fulfillment of many of his designs, he was violently thrown from his carriage on June 4, 1896, receiving injuries that terminated fatally within a few hours. His sudden death was a great shock to all his friends and wide eircle of acquaintances.
Mr. Corbin was a man of great energy and activity. When asked why he did not retire from active business and enjoy his fortune, he replied: "I already get my enjoyment in attending to my business."
" His robust and active mind, his keen intelligence, his indomit- able will, his rugged independence and self-reliance made him a natural leader among men.
"Whatever he did, was done with his whole strength. He devoted his talents to the accomplishment of worthy objects. His mission was to build up, and not destroy. Aggressive, master- ful and fearless as he was, he also possessed the gentler traits of a genial manner, a hearty honesty, and kindly and generous dispo- sition which endeared him to all his associates."
JACOB FOSS.
Jacob Foss, the son of Walter and Lucy (Cook) Foss, was born October 17, 1796, in Cornish. He married Martha Abbie How- land of Boston; they had no children. When he became of age he went to Boston. He took great pleasure, after he became a successful man with large means, in telling the story of leaving
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JACOB FOSS.
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his country home, with all of his earthly possessions tied up in a bandanna handkerchief.
He had decided that after reaching Boston he would accept the first offer made him for steady work, and very soon he engaged with Guy Carlton for employment in his morocco factory in Roxbury. Here he remained six months. He then went to Charlestown to the distillery of Putnam and Pratt. Here he worked for small wages at first, but being an industrious and observant man, in whom his employers soon learned to confide, they kept promoting him in the business until he reached the position of foreman or superintendent. He gave himself up to his business, making economy and improvement his chief study, leaving himself no time for anything outside of it. Every day and evening he could be found at his post watching the process of fermentation, evaporation and condensation, the changing of molasses into spirits, or overseeing the preparation of packages for shipment for market. So closely did he confine himself that his health became impaired, and with a constant asthmatic tendency, he was an invalid for years; but he kept on his course until his pecuniary growth was an assured fact, and he was looked upon as a rich man.
While attending to his regular duties, he discovered that car- bonic acid gas, as it escaped from the fermentation of molasses, would convert pearl-ash into saleratus and he obtained permis- sion to place boxes of pearl-ash over the vats in the distillery for this purpose. The foundation of his fortune was now made. Out of this business his gains were sufficient to purchase the dis- tillery, and he entered into partnership with Mr. Addison Gil- more, and carried on the distillery in conjunction with making saleratus. The business continued for a long period and they took their places among business men of high rating and large means.
Mr. Foss purchased a fine residence on Chelsea Street, Charles- town, which is still standing. He also erected a brick building with a hall named by him, "Constitutional Liberty Hall." Mr. Foss was a Democrat, but never a zealous partisan. He believed in the American form of government and the ability of the people to carry it on.
He was an intense admirer of Andrew Jackson as a soldier and a statesman. Constitutional liberty was another of his settled
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convictions, which accounts for the name given his hall. He was a great admirer, too, of Daniel Webster; and the character of Washington was to him the very foundation on which our repub- lic was built.
He was a large contributor to the fund for the purchase of the paintings of Webster and Washington; and that of Jaekson was almost wholly at his own expense. The pictures hang in the old city hall in Charlestown.
Mr. Foss was a lover of his country and a true patriot. When the war with Mexico broke out a regiment of 770 men was raised in Massachusetts, having one company from Charlestown. A meeting was called for the purpose of raising $1,500 in aid of the families of the enlisted men; but the meeting was called in an illegal way and the town treasurer refused to pay the amount. Meanwhile the money was needed, as the company was nearly ready to be mustered into the service. In this emergency Mr. Foss came forward and advanced the amount; so the necessary funds were provided.
On the opening of the Civil War in 1861, when the city guards and artillery were ordered to the national capital, a publie meeting was held in the city hall, April 17, 1861, and a committee chosen to see that the company from Charlestown was provided with all necessary supplies, and to make provision for the care and comfort of their families. Mr. Foss was chosen a member of this committee, but his health was such that he could not actively engage in the work, but he acknowledged the honor of the position and his appreciation of its meaning in a letter as follows:
"CHARLESTOWN, April 22, 1861.
"Gentlemen :- Having been chosen by the citizens of Charles- town at the mass meeting held in the City Hall on the 17th inst. one of the committee to aid the Charlestown military, it is impos- sible for me, on account of my feeble health to attend personally to the details of the service required in this erisis, which is the noblest work for all loyal citizens. I have this day deposited in the Bunker Hill Bank in this city $3,000 (a certificate of which I enclose) to be at the disposal of the committee, for them to draw and disburse without recourse to me."
In his will were the following bequests:
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$2,000, the income to be expended towards celebrating the anni- versary of the battle of Bunker Hill, either by ringing the bells, firing salutes, music, or decorating the streets.
$2,000, the income to be expended in the purchase of United States flags for the use of the city of Charlestown on all occasions.
$2,000 to the poor fund, the income to be expended for the worthy poor of Charlestown.
$2,000 to Tufts College.
$1,000 to Cornish, his native town, the income to be expended for the purchase of United States flags; and
$2,000, the income to be expended for the benefit of the worthy poor in said town.
These legacies to Cornish were received September 14, 1866. Their sum of $3,000, less the revenue tax of $180, leaving $2,820. Mr. Foss' whole estate was appraised at about $350,000.
He. died in Charlestown, Mass., June 2, 1866. His remains were carried to the cemetery with the old flag, which he loved so well, wrapped about his casket.
ANDREW JACKSON HOOK.
Andrew Jackson Hook, only son of Moody and Eliza (Carroll) Hook, was born December 7, 1864, on the old farm which his father occupied for over sixty years, now included in "Corbin's Park" in the eastern part of Cornish, N. H., where the first nineteen years of his life were spent in caring for his aged parents, and obtaining what education he could get in the old No. 8 school- house. On leaving the farm he attended business college in Manchester, N. H., from which he was graduated in the spring of 1885. He at once entered the employ of A. C. Carroll & Son, general merchants of Warner, N. H. This position he held six years; resigning this, he leased and managed the Kearsarge Hotel in Warner for one year, after which he conducted a retail grain business for about seven years when his health failed and he was compelled to retire from active labor for a time. In 1898, he was appointed postmaster of Warner, which position he has held by numerous reappointments until the present time.
In 1898 he was also appointed railway mail clerk, but was obliged to decline the same on account of his post-office duties. He has filled many positions of trust, having been elected select- man, high school committee, town clerk and for the past fourteen
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years has been treasurer of the town of Warner, also has been clerk and treasurer of the Warner Village Fire District and of the Kearsarge Creamery Association ever since their organization, and is a trustee of the Sugar River Savings Bank at Newport, N. H. Notwithstanding his numerous duties he has found time to settle many estates in probate court, and has done considerable
ANDREW J. HOOK.
business in lumber and real estate, now owning about 1,300 acres of timber lands. He has also built up an insurance business in and around Warner, until he now has one of the best country agencies in the state. Being musically inclined he has been at the head of one of the church choirs in Warner for the past twenty-one years. He is a Granger, and has received all the degrees in Free Masonry from the first to the thirty-second, inclusive, having held office in most of the bodies including
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that of Master of Harris Lodge, No. 91, and is a member of the Order of the Mystic Shrine, one who appreciates the true prin- ciples of Free Masonry. He married November 17, 1888, Florence B. Colby of Warner who was a cousin of ex-Governor Harriman of New Hampshire. They have no children.
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