USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > History of the town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890, Vol. II > Part 38
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Mr. Ela used to recall with pleasure the fact that he secured the services of Anna Dickinson at the outset of her public career, and made arrangements for the first ten political speeches ever made by her. They were made in his own Congressional District
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in 1863. The eloquence which a little later gained the admiration of the country, arousing the patriotism and thrilling the hearts of all who heard her, was a revelation of the power of woman which will never be forgotten.
In the last years of his life Mr. Ela made the right relations between labor and capital a constant study. He deplored the injustice of monopolies and the greed of capitalists, and longed to see laws enacted which should help the workingman.
The instinctive love of liberty and of justice he showed in other things made him a friend to the cause of woman's suffrage. He believed that the natural and inalienable rights of man and woman were the same, and that she could decide for herself whether her happiness and welfare would be helped or hindered by the ballot.
In each office where Mr. Ela was auditor, he seemed more like a father among his children than like a chief with his subordi- nates. If any were in trouble, he listened patiently to their griefs and gave them good advice. If a man was in debt, with a family to support, he lent him money, and tried to see that he used it wisely. With infinite patience he strove to reform the intemperate, forgiving offences again and again for the sake of the wife and chil- dren who would suffer if the man should lose his position. Often, in such a case, he would oblige the delinquent to allow his wife to come to the office and take his salary when it was due. Such an office is a community in itself, and there was hardly a man or wo- man there who did not feel sure of a firm friend in the good au- ditor, and try to serve him well. One who was associated with him there expressed this feeling in a letter written soon after Mr. Ela's death, as follows : - "From the first day of his coming here I have been attached to him, and my regard has grown with the passing months and years. I early learned to respect his exact justice to all, and to love him for his childlike simplicity, and his tenderness to those in trouble and distress. He was the kindest and best of men, and loved to go out of his way to do good whether appre- ciated or not. Until forced to do so, he never believed evil of any one. I wish all the world knew his real sterling worth, his purity, honesty, simplicity, and love of right and justice, as I knew it. How patient and long-suffering he was! And yet with all his loving-kindness, tenderness, and gentleness, he was possessed of a rare discriminating business tact, decision, judgment, and power-
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of mind given to but very few men. He came to the duties of this office unacquainted with its details, precedents, and usages, and yet his decisions of vexed questions stand confirmed and sus- tained by high authority in almost every instance."
Mr. Ela loved all animals. He was a judge of horses, and liked to own a good one. In the last years of his life he kept one in Washington, which he had raised himself, and a pleasant drive was the recreation of every day. He enjoyed "a good brush " on the road, and was not often beaten in a race. As he flew along the road, he would seem to feel the excitement of it in every nerve, and his fine face would glow with pleasure. He loved the beautiful in everything. He knew every drive for miles around the city, and no fine view or picturesque point escaped his notice. He knew, too, where the wild flowers grew, each in its season, and took pleasure in gathering them for his friends. No enjoy- ment of any kind was ever complete to him unless he could share it with some one. In one of the last weeks of his life, when I think he knew the shadow of another world had fallen upon him, he said : " The greatest happiness I have had in life has come from doing good to others." He seemed to walk by a clearer light than is given to most of us, and he was at all times "a tower of strength " to those about him.
In October, 1880, Mr. Ela married Miss Mary Handerson ot Keene, N. H., youngest daughter of Hon. Phinehas Handerson, who, many years ago, was a distinguished member of the Cheshire bar. In the winter of 1882-83 Charles S. Ela went to Colorado on some business for his father, and in the hope that the change of climate might also benefit his health, which had for some time been delicate. He gained in health so fast for a time that he wished to live in Colorado for a few years. He became interested in cattle raising, and induced his father to form a company for that business, of which he was to be superintendent. In the sum- mer of 1883 Mr. Ela went to Colorado to visit his son and see for himself how matters looked there. He was a good deal worn by his official work when he started, and the journey was taken too hurriedly. It was many years since he had been much on horseback, and the rough ride of thirty or forty miles from Grand Junction to the cattle-range was too hard for him. He was so ill in the little cabin on the mountain that he feared he should not
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live to see home again. He did return, but he was never well again, for just as he was beginning to seem more like his old self news came that his son was very ill in Denver, and was fol- lowed soon by the terrible tidings of his death. From this time Mr. Ela lost much of his courage and his interest in life. The daily work of his office was more than he was equal to, and with the faithfulness to every duty and the disregard of self which characterized his life, he took no rest, - postponing the summer's vacation until the overtaxed system could not resist the insidious disease, facial erysipelas, which at last attacked him. He was at his desk for the last time on the 13th of August, 1884, and on the morning of the 21st the brave soul, for which death had no terrors, passed peacefully away into another life.
From a brief memorial which accompanied resolutions adopted by his brother officers of the Treasury Department after Mr. Ela's death, we copy the following : -
" Mr. Ela was appointed Fifth Auditor of the Treasury in January, 1872, and held that office until June 2, 1881, when he was appointed Auditor of the Treasury for the Post-Office Department. He brought to these positions a ripe experience in public affairs, both State and National; and throughout his con- tinuance in the Treasury service, extended far beyond the average term allotted to the Head of a Bureau, his conduct of these offices commends him as a con- scientious and faithful official. In some respects he was a man of marked
characteristics. His modest demeanor, his honesty of purpose, and his official integrity won for him the confidence of all; while his kindness of manner secured their high regard. His relations with those immediately connected with and subordinate to him were especially happy. Affable in his intercourse, just in his methods, and quick in his sympathies and appreciation, he was esteemed the friend of each, and none to-day mourn with us his loss more sincerely."
One of the resolutions adopted by the sorrowing friends in his own office reads as follows : -
" That we esteem it a privilege, individually and collectively, to have known and been associated with an official of such marked ability, sympathetic nature, and purity of character; and while we feel that his death is in a peculiar sense our personal loss, we realize that the public service has been deprived of one of its ablest and best servants, whose long service has been distinguished by great simplicity and purity of life."
The good words which were written and spoken of Mr. Ela in sincerest grief and appreciation by many warm personal friends might fill a volume, but the limits of this sketch will not permit us to print them.
The news of Mr. Ela's death was heard in Rochester with heart-
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felt sorrow. Her citizens gathered in Hayes Hall on the evening of the 23d and adopted resolutions expressing their affection and respect, the first of which we give here : -
" Resolved, That it is with deep sorrow we learn of the sudden death of our beloved townsman ; and while in this dispensation we acknowledge the hand of a wise and overruling Providence, we feel that we have lost a kind neighbor, a true friend, and a fellow citizen ever faithful to his convictions of right, and one who has spent the years of an active life with no selfish purpose, but with a paramount desire to relieve the burdens of others, as at all times manifested by his acts in behalf of struggling humanity."
On the 25th places of business were closed from 12 to 5 o'clock P. M., and at the funeral services the old Congregational Church was filled with mourning friends from Rochester and the neigh- boring towns. Rev. Mr. Mellen of Dover preached an impressive sermon from the simple text " A good man," and a long proces- sion, escorted by the Sampson Post, G. A. R., which had asked the privilege of thus showing its respect, moved slowly and sadly to the cemetery.
" Alike are life and death When life in death survives, And the uninterrupted breath Inspires a thousand lives.
Were a star quenched on high, For ages would its light, Still traveling downward from the sky, Shine on our mortal sight.
So, when a good man dies, For years beyond our ken The light he leaves behind him lies Upon the paths of men."
GREENFIELD.
John Torr, the oldest son of Simon and Sarah (Ham) Torr (p. 428), born in 1781 on the old Torr farm in Rochester, had his name changed to John Greenfield, because soon after he began business in Rochester his brother, Jonathan Torr, opened a store in the same place, and their goods would get badly mixed. He was reared as a tanner, shoemaker, and farmer, and very early showed signs of great foresight. About 1812 to 1813, he com-
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menced trading in Rochester, and for nearly or quite fifty years was one of the most successful business men in town. He was full of energy, and possessing a sound judgment was always able to make good investments. He was somewhat advanced in years when he married Phebe Wentworth and had four children : - CHARLES; Sarah E., wife of E. G. Wallace of Rochester; Ella G., Mrs. Daniel J. Parsons, who died November, 1886; and George, who married Mary F., daughter of John Parshley of Strafford, had five children, and died September, 1871. John Greenfield died at seventy-five years of age, Jan. 13, 1863, leaving his family an ample fortune, and what is much better, a good name. Some of his children are among the most highly educated people of Rochester, and all are good, worthy citizens.
CHARLES GREENFIELD Was born in Rochester Feb. 18, 1826, and received a common school and academic education till he was fourteen, when he commenced farming, which has been his prin- cipal employment since. Upon the death of his father in 1863 he received his proportion of his father's estate, and this has accumulated till now (1888) he is considered one of the wealthy men of the town. He possesses quick perception, clear judgment, and sound reason. He has seldom, if ever, made a financial mistake, and his word is as good as his bond. He owns several hundred acres in Rochester, and though nominally a farmer, yet he makes his money otherwise. In politics he is a Republican. He is a director of the Rochester National Bank, trustee in the Nor- way Plains Savings Bank, and stockholder in various railroad and manufacturing interests. He married Aroline B., daughter of Gershom and Sally P. Downs of Rochester, July 5, 1846. She was born in Rochester May 17, 1826. Their children are : - 1. Millie A., wife of Horace L. Worcester, a newsdealer in Rochester. 2. John, who fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, and entered Dartmouth in 1868. In 1876 he was elected a member of the board of selectmen, and has since been four times re-elected. He has also served the town as tax collector and as chief engineer of the fire department. In 1879 he was elected high sheriff of the county, and was twice re-elected. 3. Ella S., wife of Justin M. Leavitt of Buxton, Me., who is now register of deeds for York county, Maine. 4. Sarah E., wife of George W. Young of Lowell, Mass., an officer in the Massachusetts Reformatory at Concord, Mass.
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5. Hattie A. 6. Frank, now in business at the West. 7. A son, who died in infancy. Mrs. Greenfield is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Greenfield is very reticent in all matters, modest, not given to show or ostentation, intelligent and prudent, and commands the esteem of all.
LOTHROP.
From the parish of Lowthorpe, Yorkshire, England, came Mark Lothrop, the grandson of John Lowthorpe, and settled in Salem, Mass., about 1643. His grandson of the same name married Hannah Alden, great-granddaugher of John and Priscilla. Their great-grandson, Daniel Lothrop, settled in Rochester, where he mar- ried Sophia, daughter of Dea. Jeremiah Horne. She was a beau- tiful woman of lofty thoughts and noble aspirations. Her influence had great power in molding and directing the character of her sons. He was loved and respected for his many excellent traits of character, and repeatedly represented the town in the Legis- lature. His wise, practical sense did good service in defending the rights of liberty for all men. The home on Haven's Hill was in many respects an ideal one, a center of moral and religious influence, and of general intelligence.
JAMES ELBRIDGE LOTHROP, the oldest son of Daniel and Sophia, was born in Rochester Nov. 30, 1826. The father, adding the trade of a mason to his care of the farm, was frequently absent, consequently James, as the eldest son, had much responsibility and care at an early age. He attended school winters, and did a man's work on the farm summers. At ten years of age he would take a load of wood to Dover and sell it before seven o'clock in the morning. Sturdy and self-reliant, at nine years of age he walked to Dover and returned bringing a large Latin lexicon for his own use. From the district school he went to the academies at Rochester and Strafford. At sixteen years of age he taught the winter school in the upper district in Rochester, following with a private school in the same place. He was then fitted to enter college a year in advance. By the advice of his uncle, Dr. Jeremiah Horne of Fall River, Mass., he began the study of medicine in his office, where he also learned the drug business. After two years he returned home with fifteen dollars in his
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pocket. Borrowing three hundred dollars from his father he opened a drug store at Dover in the fall of 1845. From that simple beginning at nineteen years of age, has grown a business of nearly a million dollars annually. The Lothrop clothing house now occupies the spot where this drug store then stood. For more than a year he conducted the business entirely alone, doing all the regular work by day, and distributing his own advertise- ments by night to the houses of the citizens. Such energetic industry of course commanded success, and he soon repaid the borrowed money. Desiring to complete the study of medicine, he invited his younger brother Daniel to take charge of his drug business, holding out the inducement of an equal share in the profits, and that the firm should be known as "D. Lothrop & Co."
Having attended lectures at Bowdoin Medical College he went also to Philadelphia, where he graduated with the degree of M. D. from the Jefferson Medical College in 1848. Returning to Dover his business increased so rapidly that he gave up all thought of medical practice. It was decided that Daniel should open a drug store at Newmarket under the same firm name, and another brother, John C. Lothrop, was received into equal partnership. The drug store at Dover still continues under the name "Lothrops & Pinkham." For forty years these brothers have presented a remarkable instance of family union. There has been an absolute unity of interests, though established in different cities, each having direction of the business best suited to his own tastes and ability. Other stores were subsequently opened at Meredith Bridge, now Laconia, Amesbury Mills, Mass., and at Great Falls, where John C. still remains, who is prominent in church and Sabbath school work, and influential in all matters of public interest.
About 1855, their father desiring to enter trade, they opened a clothing house in Dover as "D. Lothrop & Sons," and soon estab- lished branches at Rochester and Great Falls. It is not necessary to follow minutely all the changes in their widely extended business. Another brother, M. Henry Lothrop, who has been president of the common council of Dover, after a service of eight years as sales- man took a half interest in the clothing store at Dover. In 1880 he was transferred to the Boston department, and the Dover clothing business is now conducted under the name of "Lothrops, Farn- ham & Co."
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In 1873 there was added to the Dover business a musical de- partment, which is now the largest of its kind in the State, and perhaps in New England.
JAMES E. LOTHROP, being the senior partner, has always retained a general financial leadership in all the departments of the firm. His business capacity is remarkable, even in these days of mer- chant millionaires. Never disturbed, never hurried, never ruffled in temper, fertile in plans, ready for all emergencies, he never seems in the least burdened with his multiplied cares. He has been constantly sought for to fill places of responsibility, where integrity and business capacity were needed. He has been director in the Cocheco National Bank from 1858, and its presi- dent since 1876. In 1871 he became a director in the Cocheco Aqueduct Association, and its president since 1875. He has also been a director in the Portsmouth & Dover Railroad, in the Eliot Bridge Company, and in the Dover Horse Railroad, and president of the Dover Board of Trade.
In 1872 Dr. Lothrop was chosen to the Legislature. In 1883 he was elected Mayor of Dover. His uniform business success, due to organization, forethought, energy, and integrity, eminently fitted him for the position. He managed the city affairs precisely as he would his own business, and with such success as to win the highest regard and confidence of the citizens, irrespective of party, who re-clected him with an increased majority. His inflexible determination that the city should not be imposed upon won the victory in the noted valve case, which was tried at Dover prepar- atory to an attack on Boston. The most important measure of his administration as mayor was the establishment of a free public library. He brought forward the subject in his inaugural address, and with determined energy pressed the matter to final success. His name will always be identified with this most valuable public institution. "Foster's Democrat," an intensely partisan sheet, nevertheless spoke of Mayor Lothrop in these words : - " He does not agree with us in politics, but Dover never had a better mayor, in our judgment. A good, practical, energetic, and successful business man, a man of public spirit and enterprise, a man who knows the principles of true economy and how to practice them without being penurious, a man of honor and integrity, who can safely be trusted with the control of all city improvements and
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enterprises without being continually suspected of having a 'job' to feather his own nest, a man who can be trusted in private affairs and is known to be good for his word of honor every time, - a good, fair, and square representative of the intelligence and business of our honorable business people. We know him in a business way like a book, and a squarer and more honorable man does not exist." Dr. Lothrop married Mary E., the daughter of Joseph Morrill of Dover. In politics he is a Republican, in religion a Methodist, and has been a teacher in the Sunday School for more than forty years.
DANIEL LOTHROP, son of Daniel and Sophia, was born in Roch- ester Aug. 11, 1831. As a boy he was studious and unusually successful in acquiring knowledge. He had a quick and retentive memory and a remarkable mathematical intuition. He had a natural taste for trade, and when only five years of age played the man of business, having the sign "D. Lothrop & Co." nailed on the door of his playhouse, little dreaming of the renown that coming years would bring to that very name. Fitted for college at the age of fourteen, his somewhat slender physique led his friends to advise him to remain out of college a year. His brother James at this time invited him to take his drug store at Dover, offering the firm name of his boyhood as an inducement. Here his knowledge of Latin was a great help, and from this time began his distin- guished business career. To the varied experience gained in the several drug stores which he conducted, was now added that of a new business. In 1850 a large stock of books was purchased, and thus began the great book trade by which the firm is most extensively known. Enterprise, energy, sound judgment, and unwavering integrity characterized all his dealings from the first. In 1856 Daniel Lothrop visited the West. He decided to locate at St. Peter, in Minnesota. Here he established a banking house which proved a great success, his uncle, Jeremiah Horne, being the cashier, and a book and drug store in which he gave one of his former clerks an interest. The opening of his store at this place was an illustration of his characteristic energy in the exe- cution of his plans. The early freezing of the Mississippi pre- vented the arrival of his goods at the time expected. Having contracted with the St. Peter Company to erect a building and open his store on the first of December, he went several hun-
sytruly praw .
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dred miles down the river to the various landings searching for his goods. Not finding them, he bought out the entire stock of a drug store at St. Paul, and with several large teams started for St. Peter. A fearful snow storm prolonged the trip of two days to five. Within a mile of their destination it was necessary to cross the Minnesota river on the ice, which was thought to be too thin to bear the heavy teams. Consequently they were all unloaded and the goods transported on light sledges, and the drug store was opened on the very day agreed upon. The financial crisis of 1857-58, together with an Indian raid, and the change of the capital from St. Peter to St. Paul, caused the failure of many firms which had represented millions. Great loss came to Mr. Lothrop, but he met every liability in full. On his annual business visit to New England, allowing himself no rest, he was prostrated with congestion of the lungs. A consultation of physicians gave no hope of his recovery. The celebrated Dr. Bowditch having been called, with no knowledge of his patient's history, said, on exam- ination, "He has been doing twenty years' work in ten." He, however, gave encouragement, and under his treatment Mr. Lothrop so far recovered as to be able to take a trip to Florida, where the needed rest restored his health.
From this time his energies were more and more concentrated upon the book business, to which his mind had long been attracted. This must be regarded as really his life work. Into this he has put the matured forces of his manhood. For this work he was peculiarly fitted by natural abilities, by the foundation of a clas- sical education giving him judgment and literary taste, by his business tact and energy, and a practical experience of the markets and the popular tastes. He entered upon this great work of a publishing house not hastily, but first laying carefully the founda- tions. His aim was not merely financial success, but with broader purpose to help mankind. At the start he laid down as a prin- ciple from which there should be no swerving, " Nerer to publish a work purely sensational, no matter what chances of money it has in it, and to publish books that will make true, steadfast growth in right living." From this principle he has never departed. He has bent the energies of his mind to this one object, to put good whole- some literature into the hands of the people. Turning naturally to the young as those through whom he could best influence
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society, his publications have been largely of Sunday school books. The Sunday school library was a channel through which he could reach the largest audiences of the young. The family and house- hold library was another practical channel of paramount import- ance. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Lothrop selected three men, whose judgment he deemed worthy of trust, and laid before them his plans and purposes, - Rev. George T. Day, D. D., Prof. Heman Lincoln, D. D., and Rev. J. E. Rankin, D. D. While they frankly told him the undertaking was very difficult, his intentions met their cordial approval, and every book since published has been first read and approved by one or more of these men. Establishing his business on Cornhill, the first book published was " Andy Luttrell," which proved a great success. It was well said, "The series of which this is the initiatory volume marks a new era in Sunday school literature." To establish a new publishing house in competition with old and long-known firms, besides new ones ready to contest every inch of ground, required pluck and energy beyond that of most men; but Mr. Lothrop had no thought of failure. He began with a courage that could face the utmost, and a determination that had already won the battle. He had a remarkable instinct to discern real ability in a new writer, and great enthusiasm, which proved a stimulus and encourage- ment to timid beginners. He had a hopeful word for every applicant, and knew how to bring out the best of every one's talent. His before unprecedented offer of $1,000 and $500 prizes for manuscripts seemed a wild experiment to many; but it proved eminently successful. It would be a surprise to many to read a list of authors, now noted, who brought their first manuscripts to. Mr. Lothrop with fear and trembling.
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