USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > History of the town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890, Vol. I > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
that Rochester is a " billing-point," and its various manufacturing interests have felt its impetus.
The beauty of MeDuffee block, in Rochester, built by him in 1868, exhibits the owner's public spirit. It is an elegant brick building of four stories, containing six stores, twelve offices in the second story, a public hall in the third, and a Masonic hall, one of the finest in the State, in the fourth. In the use of the public hall the liberality of its owner to benevolent objects is well known.
As a Mason, he joined Humane Lodge on the very day he be- came " of lawful age." Just sixty years later, Dec. 6, 1884, the brethren gave him a commemorative reception in Masonic Hall. Interesting reminiscences, congratulatory addresses, appropriate songs, and a supper occupied the evening. He is the only survivor of the members of the lodge of 1824.
Of other real estate, besides various pieces in Rochester, includ- ing such as the Gonic farm, Mr. McDuffee owns the New Durham " powder mill " estate of nine hundred acres of land and eleven hundred acres of water; and in Barrington, two hundred acres on Isinglass river, held with a view to future manufacturing needs.
In religion, Mr. McDuffee was brought up under good old Parson Joseph Haven, and has remained a liberal supporter of the Con- gregational society. In politics, he was an earnest Whig. His first vote was for the electors who chose John Quincy Adams president, and his postmastership was ended by Andrew Jackson. He has always been a decided Republican.
Mr. McDuffee's great amount of labor has been possible only by the vigorous constitution which he inherited. The boy who, before he left home, " carried the forward swath " in the hayfield, made the man who now accomplishes an amount of work which would surprise many younger men. Monday is always given to the Strafford Bank at Dover; Tuesday he presides at the Rochester Bank meeting; Wednesday at the Savings Bank; and no day is idle.
Feeling the need of some relaxation from business, in the winter of 1885 he visited the Pacific coast, and spent two months in California. In the autumn of the same year he represented his native town in the Legislature, was chairman of the committee on banks, on whose recommendation many bank laws were enacted
373
LEADING MEN SINCE THE REVOLUTION.
for the interest and protection of the savings banks and their depositors.
Judged by the success of his work as the banker, as developing by a liberal and wise help every worthy manufacturing enterprise, and as foremost in the building of the various railways centering in Rochester, it is clear that Mr. McDuffee nobly comes into the list of those spoken of in our first paragraph, whose record is in the prosperity of his native town, where ability, sagacity, integrity, and kindliness have united to make that record, as well as his own personal success.
Of Mr. McDuffee's happy domestic relations nothing need be said. Of his eight children, - naming them in the order of their birth : -
1. Joseph Hanson McDuffee, who followed the sea, remained single, and was drowned off the Isles of Shoals Aug. 29, 1865, at the age of thirty-five.
2. FRANKLIN McDUFFEE * was born at Dover, Aug. 27, 1832. When six months old he removed with his parents to Rochester. He entered Gilmanton Academy at the age of twelve years, and graduated with honor at Dartmouth College in 1853. He read law six months with Hon. Daniel M. Christie of Dover, and in May, 1854, accepted the position of cashier in the Rochester State Bank. In 1857 he went on a foot trip to the White Mountains. Owing to the wrong directions of a guide, he was lost in the forest a night and a day, almost perishing from cold and exhaus- tion. The first house reached was that of Dr. Bemis then absent. Acting under strict orders to admit no one, the family utterly refused to furnish him food or shelter, so that he was compelled to go six miles further, to the Notch House, before obtaining relief. This exposure weakened his constitution, impaired his hearing, and was doubtless the remote cause of his death. In 1858 his health was greatly improved by a voyage to Europe. He applied for passage home on the ill-fated Austria, which was burned with all her passengers, but failing to secure a satisfactory berth he escaped. Dec. 4, 1861, he married Miss Mary F. Hayes of Roch- ester. Their children are: 1. John Edgar, who was for two years a member of the class of 1883 in the Chandler Scientific Depart-
* This sketch is by the Editor.
374
ROCHESTER.
ment of Dartmouth College, but was compelled to relinquish his studies on account of poor health. He has since developed a delicate taste and marked ability as a musician, particularly as a pianist. Having taken lessons for several years under the instruc- tion of J. W. Hill of the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, he began regular work as a teacher in 1885. Thorough- ness and exactness characterize his methods of instruction, in which he is meeting increasing and well-deserved success. Pur- suing the study of Harmony under the direction of Stephen A. Emery of Boston, he has already done something as a composer, especially in song music. 2. Willis, a member of the class of '90 in Dartmouth College.
Franklin McDuffee was appointed treasurer of the Norway Plains Savings Bank in 1866. Two years later he joined his father in establishing a private banking institution under the name of John McDuffee & Co., bankers. In 1874 this company merged into the Rochester National Bank, of which he became cashier.
He was initiated in Humane Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Dec. 9, 1856. The next year he was chosen secretary, and after filling other offices was Master of the Lodge in 1863-64. In 1866-67 he officiated as District Deputy of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire.
He served the town as selectman, and for many years as super- intending school committee. He was a member of the State Leg- islature of 1862, and the Constitutional Convention of 1876.
He joined the Congregational Church in 1868, and four years after was chosen deacon, which office he held through the rest of his life. After a sickness of a few weeks he died at Rochester Nov. 11, 1880.
The character of Deacon McDuffee was one of rare excellence, blending many valuable traits. As a lad he was studious, thought- ful, kind, and mature beyond his years. He was well fitted for college at the age of sixteen, but delayed entering till a year later. He was thorough and exact in his studies and ranked high at graduation. One of his instructors writes: "I remember Mr. McDuffee well, as a thoughtful and exemplary student, deserving and receiving the esteem of his instructors and associates. It was always a pleasure to me to see him in the class-room." Another writes, "I recall him as a good scholar, industrious, faithful, and
375
LEADING MEN SINCE THE REVOLUTION.
honest; but very modest and retiring." Highly esteemed by all his classmates, he had but few intimates, but those few were deeply attached to him, and the ties then formed were never broken. He always loved his Alma Mater, and when, unsought by himself, his name was prominently mentioned in alumni circles as a can- didate to fill a vacancy in the board of trustees, he remarked to a friend that he should regard such an appointment a greater honor than to be Governor of New Hampshire. He took deep interest in national affairs and had a clear understanding of polit- ical issues. He was no managing politician, but simply from force of character he was a leader in his party. Men irrespective of party recognized his leadership in affairs of public interest. He did not win men by flattery, nor by neutrality on important questions. All knew him for a stanch Republican, an unflinching friend of temperance and good order. He had decision, energy, and sturdy pluck, without malice or bitterness, so that even his opponents respected his conscientious integrity. He was not unfrequently able to carry a vote against a current already strongly set the other way, simply by his strong, honest, clear way of stating the case. Men always listened when he rose to speak, knowing his words would be sincere and to the point. He never attempted to speak when he had nothing to say. He studied no graces of oratory. He indulged in no flowers of rhetoric. He drove like a rifle-ball straight for the mark, which he never failed to hit. Hence he was recognized as one of the best and most entertaining lecturers in Strafford county. He took a deep interest in edu- cation, and was zealous and untiring in efforts to elevate the schools of Rochester. To no one more than to him the high school owes its standing and success.
From his well-known ability and interest in historical research he was elected a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society. In 1865 he began a series of historical sketches in the "Roch- ester Courier" which were models of simplicity, conciseness, and accuracy. It was his intention to re-write and enlarge these sketches into a complete history of Rochester, but his premature death left the work unfinished. He had, however, collected with great labor much material for this purpose, out of which has grown this present volume.
376
ROCHESTER.
Mr. McDuffee's mind was essentially mathematical, with keen powers of analytic thought. Flowers of rhetoric could not cover false logie from his eyes, which detected shams at a glance. His power of methodical analysis was well illustrated in his mountain adventure. When he found that he was lost, he realized not only the danger from unseen precipices, but that the attempt to go on would certainly add to his perplexity. Having no means of kindling a fire, he could ward off a fatal chill only by continued exercise. He therefore chose a level spot between two trees and paced back and forth from one tree to the other all night. While thus walking he went over in careful thought the whole day's journey, studying step by step to find his error. In this way he came to a definite conclusion as to just where he had left the true road, and just what course to pursue in the morning. The theory proved true in every particular, and brought him out in safety. This quality of mind turned to mechanics might have made him distinguished as an inventor. In 1876 he invented and patented a valuable "Improvement in Combination and Chro- nometer Locks," which he sold to a lock manufacturing company for $500. This invention secures two principal advantages : First, that any accidental stopping of the clock-work will not prevent the opening of the lock. Second, that it can be opened between the hours for which it is set, only by assembling too many persons for a burglar's safety. His methodical mind fitted him especially for business, in which he was a model of diligence, exactness, and integrity. No crookedness or obscurity ever darkened his financial transactions.
His partial loss of hearing, added to his retiring nature, withdrew him somewhat from social life, and his quiet, unobtrusive ways left others of far less merit to be more widely known than he. But his neighbors and townsmen highly appreciated his sterling worth, and his intimates prized his friendship as of one of the sincerest and most lovable of men.
He was pre-eminently meek under abuse. When a temporary cloud came upon the Savings Bank, conscious of integrity he was calm and quiet under vituperation. He would patiently answer questions and explain affairs again and again to every interested party, but when, leaving inquiry, any began to rage and revile, he would turn quietly to his books, as if not hearing a word.
377
LEADING MEN SINCE THE REVOLUTION.
Quick in sympathy, he was nobly generous in every worthy cause. The poor were among his sincerest mourners. Unosten- tatious in his gifts, many a needy one was relieved, only suspecting whence the favor came.
His firm and generous character was beautified and crowned by the graces of a Christian life. His religion, like every other part of his character, was genuine. No affected holiness, no pious drivel marred its excellent simplicity. Shrinking and sensitive, his reli- gion avoided all boastful display. It was, nevertheless, all-per- vading, shining in and through his life, leaving a light behind to still guide others to the heavenward path. He was long distrustful and doubting in regard to his own experience, but when he once decided to identify himself with the church of Christ it was a transaction forever. His daily life exemplified the truths he be- lieved. He was emphatically a pillar in the church, an active supporter of every good, a model church officer, the friend and helper of every pastor. One pastor says: "That noble man of God, Frank McDuffee. He was the prince of deacons. We are all better for having known him."
His death was a severe loss, not only to family and church, but to town and State as well. Few worthier or more valuable men ever claimed the Granite State for their home than Deacon Frank- lin Mc Duffee.
" The memory of the just is blessed."
3. John Randolph McDuffee, born in Rochester Sept. 5, 1834, graduated from the Chandler Scientific School at Dartmouth Col- lege in 1857, and opened an office in Rochester as civil engineer. In 1858 he went with his brother Franklin on a voyage to Europe. On his return he immediately fell into a decline, and died May 14, 1859.
4. Anna M. McDuffee married Frank S. Brown of the firm Brown, Thompson & Co., Hartford, Conn., and has one son and two daughters.
5. Mary Abbie Mc Duffee married, first, E. Freeman Whitehouse (p. 366); second, Charles K. Chase (see sketch), and survives him with one daughter.
6. Sarah Frances McDuffee died unmarried at the age of thirty- three. She was of sensible, well-balanced mind, quiet and unob-
378
ROCHESTER.
trusive in manner, affectionate and self-sacrificing among her friends, and exceptionally lovely in her whole character.
7. George MeDuffec has been engaged in extensive grain and lumber business in Rochester. He married, first, Lizzie Hanson, who died leaving a son ; second, Nellie, daughter of Dr. James Farrington of Rochester, her father being nephew of Dr. James Farrington, M. C.
8. Oliver McDuffee died in infancy.
ADAMS.
ISAAC ADAMS was born in 1803, at Adams Corner, in a house still standing on the right going towards East Rochester. He was well known as an inventor, and " his peculiarities gained for him an extensive notoriety among strangers as well as those who knew him best." In boyhood he was employed in factory work, but at the age of eighteen went to Sandwich, where he learned the trade of cabinet-making. After a few years he went to Dover, where he worked at his trade till 1824, when he found work in a machine shop in Boston, Mass. In 1827 he invented the famous printing- press bearing his name and which soon came into almost universal use, having even now no superior for fine book-work. When he left Sandwich he said he would not return till he had money enough to buy the whole town, and sure enough, when he retired from business he had from one to two millions. He bought up many farms and planted them to white pines. The stone wall around a part of his grounds in Sandwich " has considerable local fame, being broad enough to drive a horse and buggy on top." He died in Sandwich July 19, 1883, where he was buried, several tons of stone being put upon his grave by his direction.
SETH ADAMS, brother of Isaac, was associated with him in the manufacture of printing-presses, and also acquired great wealth. He founded a nervine hospital in Boston, and contributed gener- ously to various charities. He also bequeathed a fund of ten thousand dollars, the interest of which is to be divided among widows and maiden ladies of Rochester. He lies buried in the new cemetery at Rochester, where a beautiful granite monument has been erected bearing his portrait in a finely finished bas-relief.
379
LEADING MEN SINCE THE REVOLUTION.
DR. JOSEPH HAVEN SMITH.
Elias Smith was born in Epping, but removed in early life to Moultonborough, where the poverty and sacrifices incident to the settlement of a new country served to develop patience, perse- verance, and energy of character. In a time of great scarcity of provision he went on foot to Exeter, where he procured half a bushel of Indian corn and bore it home on his shoulder, a distance of nearly seventy miles through a dense and almost pathless wil- derness.
His son, John Smith, was born in Moultonborough and brought up to a mechanical calling. He married Betsey Roberts of the same place and removed to Rochester about 1796, where he reared six sons and three daughters. He was through life an industrious, hard-working mechanic, of strong mental powers, ready for every emergency. Proverbially an honest man, he was endowed with a keen, intuitive sagacity, and manifested great independence of mind in the choice and maintenance of both religious and political principles. He had the confidence of the whole community, and those who knew him the most intimately, yielded him the largest homage and respect. Of an inquiring spirit, and gifted with happy conversational powers, his society was much sought, and he was always listened to with interest and profit. His opinions, formed only after due investigation, became incorporated into his very life. His wife was remarkable for her domestic and stern republican virtues. Caring always for her household with true maternal ten- derness, she cherished to the last a most sacred regard for the memory of the patriots of the Revolution. Remotely of blood kin to the immortal Warren, she partook largely of those strong and sterling qualities which characterized the women as well as the men of the Revolutionary era.
JOSEPH HAVEN SMITH, the youngest of the six sons of these pa- rents, was born in Rochester Nov. 17, 1805. His early life was characterized by a thirst for knowledge, which increased with his advancing years. Many discouragements were in his path, and greatly to his regret he was compelled to relinquish the hope of a collegiate education. His parents did all in their power for his help and encouragement. His eldest sister, Arabella Smith, who early began teaching, and was for many years principal of the
380
ROCHESTER.
" Ontario Female Seminary," at Canandaigua, N. Y., rendered him much assistance. The village school at Rochester was at that time far in advance of any public school in this part of the State, em- ploying liberally educated teachers, and fitting those who wished to enter college. Making the very best improvement of all the means afforded by the "poor boys' college," he began teaching a district school at the age of eighteen. A year later he commenced the study of medicine under the tuition of James Farrington, M. D., of his own village, and graduated at the Medical College in Bruns- wiek, Me., in 1829. He also followed his vocation of schoolmaster during the whole five years of his medical studies.
After his graduation he practiced for three years in his native town, and in 1832 removed to Dover. A Democrat, who inherited his political ideas from a Democratic father, he early took an active interest in the politics of the town and State. He was a speaker of convincing power, and his abilities were not slow to receive recognition. In 1837 he was elected a member of the Legislature, and in 1848 and 1855 his name appeared on the list of State senators. In 1848 he was chosen a presidential elector, and cast one vote for Lewis Cass. He was appointed by President Pierce inspector of drugs in the custom house at Boston. He was a member of the gubernatorial councils of 1851 and 1852. In 1848 he delivered the annual address at the commencement exercises at Dartmouth, and for many years was president of the Dover bank. He was for several years a member of the school board, and it was through his unceasing efforts that the district system was broken up and the high school erected. He was a member of the district and state medical societies, and during his active political career never relinquished his enthusiastic love of his profession. He was largely instrumental in the erection of the Pierce Memorial Church, of which he was a member.
In 1867 Dr. Smith removed to Lowell, Mass., and for a time devoted his whole attention to the practice of his profession. The exigencies of the Grant and Greeley campaign, 1872, however, aroused the old political fire, and he entered vigorously into the contest. Recognizing the fact that the local Democracy was without an organ, he started the " Middlesex Democrat," of which he was proprietor and editor. Eleven months later he merged the organ into the "Morning Times," which he soon afterwads
381
LEADING MEN SINCE THE REVOLUTION.
sold out to the Hunt Brothers. In 1876, during the Hayes and Tilden campaign, he resumed the responsibilities of editor and manager of the "Times," his assistants being D. W. O'Brien and Frank Wood. In 1880 he sold out to Messrs. Campbell & Hanscom, the present proprietors. He was a member of the school board at Lowell for one term, and was connected with Monomake Encampment, I. O. O. F. He was a man of unim- peachable character and inherent attractions, whose word was a guaranty of good faith, and whose friendship was a privilege worthy the highest appreciation. His disposition was of the kind- liest nature. He was scrupulous in his adherence to truth, and never countenanced or gave currency to any statement, however favorable it might be to the party he advocated, unless he was first satisfied of its truth.
Dr. Smith married, first, Meribah Hanson, and, second, Mrs. Wiggin of Dover. He died, in a good old age, at Lowell, Mass., Feb. 25, 1886, leaving a widow and three children : - Dr. H. J. Smith of Lowell, Mass., and Mrs. Edwin Hills and Miss Lizzie Smith of Washington, D. C.
HON. JOHN P. HALE.
BY HON. JACOB H. ELA.
JOHN PARKER HALE was born in Rochester, N. H., March 31, 1806. His father, John P. Hale, was a lawyer of much ability and influence, and of great personal popularity, who died in 1819, at the age of forty-two years, leaving a large family in limited circumstances, the subject of this sketch being then but thirteen years old. As a boy he was popular among his fellows - active, fond of sport, quick to learn, courageous, kind, and free from vindictiveness - qualities which adhered to him through life, making him very popular in the community in which he lived, and in the counties where he practiced at the bar, and com- manding the good will and respect of the men whom his convictions led him to oppose. From the public schools of his native village he went to Phillips Academy at Exeter, and graduated at Bowdoin College in 1827.
Mr. Hale, on leaving college, entered upon the study of the law
382
ROCHESTER.
in the office of J. H. Woodman, Esq., in Rochester, and completed his studies with Daniel M. Christie, Esq., of Dover, where he had the advantage of the instruction of one of the ablest lawyers ever at the bar in the State. He began to practice in Dover in 1830, and for about forty years was the nearest neighbor of his old instructor, who was always one of his warmest friends, although the two were generally pitted against each other in all the leading cases in court, and differed much of the time politically. They finally came together, however, the one from the standpoint of an anti-slavery Whig, and the other from that of a Democrat with anti-slavery tendencies.
Mr. Hale at once took high rank at the bar, and was noted for his tact and skill in handling witnesses, and his great power with a jury. Of all the advocates who practiced at the bar of the old county of Strafford, Ichabod Bartlett of Portsmouth is the only one remembered who equaled him in skill with witnesses, or possessed that wit and humor, burning indignation, and touch- ing pathos which were often brought out in his appeals to the jury. His practice rapidly extended outside his own county into Belknap, Carroll, and Rockingham. In 1834 Mr. Hale was ap- pointed United States District Attorney by General Jackson, and was re-appointed by President Van Buren.
In all his ideas Mr. Hale was democratic, and jealous of every encroachment upon popular rights. As a lawyer he contended for the right of the jury to be judges of the law, as well as of the facts, and protested against their being instructed by the judges how they must construe and apply the law, leaving them only to find a verdict on the facts. He won reputation as a lawyer outside the bar of New Hampshire, in the Supreme Court at Washington, and in the celebrated Fugitive Slave rescue cases in Boston. When Shadrach was rescued in 1851 from the court house in Boston by Lewis Hayden and others, and sent to Canada, great excitement arose over the country, and especially in Washington, where the President issued a proclamation commanding " all officers, civil and military, and all well-disposed citizens in the vicinity of the outrage to assist in capturing the rescuers and quelling all similar combinations." The Senate took up the matter on a res- olution of Mr. Clay's calling on the President for information, and a special message was received in answer, with the facts and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.