USA > New Hampshire > Men of progress; biographical sketches and portraits of leaders in business and professional life in and of the state of New Hampshire > Part 16
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
in conveying sick and wounded soldiers of our army from Southern to Northern hospitals. He personally accompanied those trains transferring the soldiers who were able to travel from hospitals as far South as Chattanooga, Tennessee, to hos- pitals in the North. While in the performance of these duties he was commissioned by Governor Buckingham, known as the "War Governor " of Connecticut, to care and provide for any soldiers belonging to regiments from that state whom he might find in Southern hospitals, and for which services he declined the remuneration that was tendered him. After the discontinuance of the hospital trains at the close of the war, Dr. Webster
CLAUDIUS B. WEBSTER.
was engaged in forwarding the soldiers still remain- ing in the large hospitals in Louisville and Jeffer- sonville (Indiana), to their homes or to hospitals further north. He continued in that work until after the close of the war in 1865, when he was hon- orably discharged from the United States service. During his three years of hospital work, Dr. Web- ster performed from time to time, gratuitous service for the United States Sanitary Commission. His labors for the Government were performed with remarkable faithfulness and sincerity, and justly entitled him to the gratitude of the Nation, After leaving the Medical Department of the Army, Dr. Webster returned to Norwich, Connecticut, to
115
MEN OF PROGRESS.
enjoy a few years of rest and leisure-a vacation which he had well earned. A gentleman of his ability and patriotism, and with so large an ac- quaintance with the prominent men of the country. was not likely to remain long in private life. and hence the people of his city were not surprised to learn in 1870. that, entirely unexpectedly and un- sought. he had been appointed by President Grant. United States Consul at Sheffield, England, one of the most important consulates in Great Britain. He filled that position until 1886, when according to custom in the changes in the National administra- tion. he was succeeded by an appointee of Presi- dent Cleveland. In view of the frequent changes in consulates, it is worthy of remark that Dr. Web- ster's term of sixteen years at Sheffield extended over four administrations at Washington, and was the longest United States Consulship on record in that country. It is needless to state that he per- formed his duties at Sheffield with dignity, ability and fidelity. to the entire satisfaction of the succes- sive Presidents from whom he received his com- missions. He made no attempt to become conspic- uous in English public life, but devoted his time, outside of direct official labors, to the cultivation of cordial and friendly relations with those English manufacturers and merchants who were extensively engaged in shipping Sheffield goods to America. The extent of this commerce may be shown by the fact that in one year during Dr. Webster's tenure of office, the value of shipments from Sheffield to AAmerica amounted to one million five hundred thousand dollars. While at Sheffield the honor devolved upon him to receive Ex-President Grant while on his journey around the world. After the announcement was made of the appointment of a successor to Dr. Webster at Sheffield, the London papers expressed sincere regret that there should be withdrawn one who had so long represented his country with such fidelity, tact and unswerving courtesy. After leaving Sheffield Dr. Webster took a long European tour and then returned to New Hampshire where he has since made his home. although passing more or less time in Washington and Chicago. On October 31, 1844. Dr. Webster was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Webster of Pembroke, New Hampshire, a lineal descendant of Hannah Dustin. She was a lovely, refined lady. and after a happy married life extending over forty- two years, death came to her at Sheffield, after a long, useful and exemplary life. Dr. and Mrs. Webster had no children. Dr. Webster had four
brothers : Dr. Eliphalet K. Webster. already named; Josiah Webster, a farmer of Illinois; Pro- fessor John C. Webster, D. D., of Wheaton Col- lege, Illinois, and Major-General Joseph D. Web- ster. United States Army, who became famous in the War of the Rebellion, as General Grant's Chief of Staff. and who by his bravery and military skill while Chief of Artillery, was credited with having turned the tide of battle and secured the great vic- tory for the Union Army at Shiloh. The last two named were Dartmouth College graduates of the class of 1832, while Dr. E. K. Webster was an alumnus of the Dartmouth Medical College, thus constituting the probably unparalleled record of a father and four out of five sons being graduated from the same college. The subject of this sketch cherishes a lively interest in his Alma Mater and is President of the Dartmouth Alumni Association of the Concord, New Hampshire, District. He is also a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society. Dr. Webster is a gentleman of modest and retiring manners. frank and generous sympa- thies, an extensive reader. the possessor of a great fund of general information and keeps posted upon all the great National and other issues of the day. He is a member of the South Congregational church of Concord, New Hampshire.
WENTWORTH, GEORGE ALBERT, President of Exeter Bank, was born in Wakefield, New Hamp- shire, July 31. 1835. son of Edmund and Eliza (Lang) Wentworth. He is a descendant of Elder William Wentworth who settled in Exeter and signed the Exeter Combination in 1639. On the maternal side he comes of good old New England stock. He received his early education in the common school and Academy of his native town, prepared for college at Phillips Exeter Academy, entered Harvard in 1855 and was graduated in the class of '58. In the same year, he went to Exeter as Instructor in Latin and Greek, became Profes- sor of Mathematics in Phillips Academy in 1859. and held the position until the close of 1891. Mr. Wentworth has published a series of text books of mathematics. The work on geometry was first published in 1880 and has completely revolution- ized the method of teaching that science. Over five hundred thousand copies of the book have been sold. He has published a series of AAlgebras. of which over one million copies have been sold ; and a series of Arithmeties which have had an
116
MEN OF PROGRESS.
extraordinary sale. He has also published a Trigo- nometry. Surveying. and Navigation, and an Analytic Geometry, that are used in nearly all the Colleges, and the principal Secondary Schools in the country. Mr. Wentworth has been a Trustee of the Robinson Seminary and is at present President of the Exeter Banking Company. In politics he is a Republican.
GEO. A. WENTWORTH.
He married, August, 1864, Emily J. Hatch, of Codington, Kentucky. They have three children : Ellen Lang, George, and Edmund Hatch Went- worth.
WHITTEMORE, ARTHUR GILMAN, Lawyer, Concord, was born in Pembroke, July, 1856, son of Hlon. Aaron and Ariannah (Barstow) Whittemore. He is eighth in line from his ancestor Thomas, who immigrated from Hitchin Parish, County of Hertfordshire, England, and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1642. He is a great-great-grand- son of Rev. Aaron Whittemore, the first settled Pastor of the Congregational Church in Pembroke, (formerly Suncook), ordained Pastor March 2, 1738 (a graduate of Harvard College in 1732). His great-grandfather, Aaron Whittemore, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His father and grand- father were Associate Justices of the Court of Com- inon Pleas for Merrimack county. On his mother's side he is a lincal descendant of Elder William
Brewster, one of the Mayflower pilgrims. He was educated at Pembroke Academy and Harvard Law School and was admitted to the Bar in March, 1879. Soon afterwards he associated with the late Judge C. W. Woodman of Dover in the practice of the law, which partnership continued until the death of Judge Woodman in 1888. Since that time Mr. Whittemore has practised alone. By strict application to his chosen profession he has gained an extensive and lucrative practice and with it the confidence and respect of the whole community in which he lives. He is attorney for and one of the Trustees of the Strafford Savings Bank, one of the largest and strongest savings banks in the state. He is also the attorney for the Dover Co-operative Bank. When the Dover National Bank failed in 1895 Mr. Whittemore was appointed Receiver and although the defalcation of its late cashier exceeded the capital stock Mr. Whittemore so successfully liquidated the remain- ing assets as to pay the depositors in full with interest and a substantial dividend to the stock- holders. He has identified himself with all the
ARTHUR G. WHITTEMORE.
public enterprises that concern the welfare of his adopted city. In 1887, when the city built a new system of water works he was elected Water Com- missioner and has held the office to the present time. He is a member and one of the organizers
--
117
MEN OF PROGRESS.
of the Bellamy Club, a business man's social club. He married June 27, 1887, Caroline B. Rundiett. They have two children : Manvel and Caroline W'hittemore.
WOODWORTH. ALBERT BINGHAM, Mayor of Concord, was born in Dorchester, New Hampshire, April 7, 1843. son of George and Louisa (Hovey)
ALBERT B. WOODWORTH.
Woodworth. His grandfather, Sylvanus Wood- worth, came from Lebanon, Connecticut. with Elea- zer Wheelock when he founded Dartmouth College, and he afterwards fought in the Revolutionary War, taking part in the battle of Bunker Hill, under Israel Putnam. Albert Woodworth moved with his parents to Hebron when he was two years of age, and here he attended the district school and took a course at Boscawen Academy. For four years he was employed by D. E. Willard of Orford, the next four years was in business at Warren, and in 1868, he succeeded Parker & Young of Lisbon. In 1873, he engaged in the retail grocery business in Concord in company with his brother Edward, and two years later, bought the wholesale and jobbing business of Hutchins & Company. He was one of the founders of the Parker & Young Manufacturing Company of Lisbon, and is now its President. In 1885 he became part owner of that famous hostelry. the " Tip Top House." He was Alderman from
1885 to 1889, and a member of the Legislature in 1893. He was elected Mayor in November, 1896. He is a Mason, a member of Kane Lodge, Lisbon. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member and vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Concord. Mr. Woodworth married, September 30, 1873, Mary Angeline Parker, of Lisbon. They have three children : Edward Knowlton, born Au- gust 25. 1875 : Grace, born October 5, 1879, and Charles Parker, born July 8. 1885.
WALLACE, ALBERT, Shoe Manufacturer, Roch- ester, was born in that town June 6, 1854, son of Ebenezer G. and Sarah E. (Greenfield) Wallace. His ancestors on both sides came to this country in the early days and many of them fought in the Revolutionary War on the side of the Colonists. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at the South Berwick Academy. Later, he entered Dartmouth College and was graduated in the class of 1877. For a time he worked in a tannery and in a shoe factory, and since 1880 has been engaged in the manufacture of leather goods
ALBERT WALLACE ..
and shoes. He was a member of the Legislature in 1893, and of the Senate in 1897. In 1898 he was elected to the City Council for a term of three years. Mr. Wallace is a Mason. In politics he is a Republican. He married, May, 1883, Rosalie K.
IIS
MEN OF PROGRESS.
Burr, of Rochester, who died in September, 1888, leaving one child : Louis B. Wallace. In October, 1894, he married Fannie S. Chadbourne of Water- town, Massachusetts. They have two children : Sarah J., and Eben Wallace.
WILLIAMSON, WALTER DARWIN, Physician, Gorham, was born in Milan, New Hampshire, March 11, 1863, son of Stephen E. and Ellen E. (Ellingwood) Williamson. He was graduated from the North Bridgton Academy at North Bridgton, Maine, and took a post-graduate course at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College. He was graduated from the Medical College of the
W. D. WILLIAMSON.
University of Vermont in 1888, winning the sec- ond prize. He took a further course in medicine at the Post-graduate College in New York in 1889. He also took a course in this School in 1893 and 1897. Doctor Williamson began his practice in Milan, but removed to Gorham, October 16, 1889, where he has since resided. During President Harrison's administration he was a member of the Pension Examining Board at Lancaster. He has been District Surgeon for the Grand Trunk Rail- way since 1892. He is a member of the Maine Medical Association ; of the New Hampshire Med- ical Society ; of the Oxford County Medical Asso- ciation, and of the International Association of
Railroad Surgeons. In politics he is a Republican. Doctor Williamson was married February 15, 1890, to Hattie M. York of Milan. They have one daughter : Eleanor E. Williamson, born August 30, 1894.
WILKINSON, SOLON STONE, Merchant, Keene, was born in Marlborough, New Hampshire, March 22, 1828, in one of the most romantic and pictur- esque towns in the Granite state. His eye was early charmed with numerous vales and hills which were overtopped with Mount Monadnock. He was a robust boy, bubbling over with life, being exceedingly fond of nature. He delighted to en- gage in innocent sports and revel by the brooks and ponds. He was a jolly boy among his play- fellows, and when he laughed, it was so hearty, they could but laugh, too. At five years of age he was in the district school, learning the English alphabet and how to count by numbering his fin- gers. He was loved by teacher and pupils. As the years went on, he advanced in the public school branches, ranking high in deportment and class work. He early exhibited a fondness for military display, and so organized the boys of his age into companies, marching them through the streets, and when but about fifteen years old he became one of the leading officers in a boys' artillery company, which made quite a showing at the old May train- ings and fall musters. He made the most possi- ble out of the public and select schools in his native town, and then attended for some time the academy in Putney, Vermont. So with his natural ability and diligence, when he reached his majority, he was looked upon as one well fitted for his life work. At twenty-one he was the picture of health, being tall, straight, and of fine proportions ; his complexion was light and florid. Looking at him physically and mentally, he was a fine specimen of a young man. How could it be otherwise, being of superior parentage? His father, David Wilkin- son, Jr., was far more than the average man, physi- cally and intellectually, and his mother, Patty (Hub- bard) Wilkinson, was possessed of rare gifts as to looks and character ; she was a Venus in face and form, and a veritable Dorcas in her home and in society. His pedigree away back is of a high order. His grandfather, David Wilkinson, was a grandson of Elijah Wilkinson, born in England, and his great-grandmother was a native of Scot- land. His grandfather, David, was one of the foremost men in his native town, Sharon, Massa-
119
MEN OF PROGRESS.
chusetts. He became prominent in military affairs before and after the Revolutionary War, and as the alarm was sounded. April 19. 1775. he went forth doing valiant service for his country. He was with Washington's army at Valley Forge, and was discharged with honors at the close of the war. It is in no wise strange that the grandson. Solon Stone Wilkinson, should have inherited a liking for martial evolutions and chivalrous display ; how- ever. he was brought up to labor as were his fore- fathers, and. accordingly. he thoroughly learned of his father the harness and saddler's trade in all its details. As he advanced from an apprentice to a journeyman he was well equipped for his business. June 22, 1852, he married Chestina Bowker Hol- man. an estimable young woman of ability and promise : two truer hearts were never wedded. They located in Marlborough. Before his mar- riage he became associated in business with his older brother. Warren Wilkinson, in the harness and saddle business, carrying it on in Marlborough and Peterborough, New Hampshire, and in Green- field, Massachusetts. In 1854 he bought out the har- ness and saddle business of his younger brother, Cyrus K. Wilkinson, at Keene. New Hampshire, and settled there with his family in a pleasant home where they still reside. In 1861 he went into business with his brother. Warren, at Spring- field, Massachusetts. manufacturing war equipments on an extensive scale. In 1869 he became inter- ested in the Monadnock Blanket Company and was its Treasurer for fifteen years. In 1878 he took into partnership Daniel McGregor, manufac- turing harness in large numbers, employing many men, and doing an extensive business in selling harness wares and trunks : and they are still active in trade. Mr. Wilkinson has always been a public- spirited man, being deeply interested in his native town. his adopted city. his state, nation, and the world. He was born of Whig ancestry, and has been himself a wide-awake Republican since he was old enough to vote. Slavery he abhorred and worked with his might for its overthrow in this country. While he never made any pretension to learning or speech-making. nevertheless when forced to speak on public occasions, he has been equal to the responsibility and acquitted himself with honor. He never has been an office-seeker, and the im- portant public positions which he has filled, have sought him, and every time he has added dignity and character to them. As early as 1847 he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Fifth Com-
pany of the Twelfth New Hampshire Militia; and later he was foremost in organizing the Greenfield Artillery Company at Greenfield, Massachusetts, and was chosen its first commander, but he declined to serve. In 1868 he was sent to the State Legis- lature, and was re-elected the following year. In 1875 he was chosen Alderman from his ward for two years in succession. In 1883 he was commis- sioned Quartermaster-General on the staff of Gov- ernor Hale. In 1886 he was made an honorary member of the Keene Light Guards. He has been for years a Trustee, and is now President. of the Academy Fund Association of Keene, and has been an efficient Trustee of the Five Cents Savings
S. S. WILKINSON.
Bank of his city. He has always been a man who has looked closely after his own business, feeling this to be a necessity, to make it a success, as he has; yet he has found time to perform creditably outside duties which have been imposed upon him. Now and then on some important occasions he has indulged in outings. He was at the dedication of the Washington monument on the banks of the Potomac, and participated officially in the two hundredth anniversary of the evacuation of New York by the British. Mr. Wilkinson is social and cordial, making his friends feel at once as they come into his presence that they have got into good company, and soon they are made aware that
120
MEN OF PROGRESS.
he can give or take a good joke with grace. While he admires the courage of a Cromwell, he does enjoy the fun of a Falstaff. He shakes hands as though there was a big heart close by, and when he laughs there is an occasion for it, and like Doc- tor Franklin's whistle, it comes itself, and all in his company can but join in his hearty merriment. His good nature and readiness to help others have always drawn about him throngs of friends, ren- dering him a most desirable member of social organizations. In 1860 he was made a Mason in Social Friends Lodge of Keene, becoming its Mas- ter in 1865. He advanced through the Royal Arch Chapter, becoming a Knight in Hugh de Payens Commandery, and in 1878 was chosen its Eminent Commander. He ranks high among the Free Masons in his adopted city and in the state. Religiously he is a Congregationalist, having been an active church member for more than half a century, work- ing on various lines, and for years he was a Teach- er and then Superintendent in the Sunday-school. While he is loyal to his church, he is no dogmatic and narrow sectarianist. His home is the dearest place to him on earth. He and his worthy and beloved companion have long journeyed together hand in hand and hearts made one. They have been highly blest with a noble son, Edward Holman Wilkinson, who is a prominent manufacturer at Holyoke and a leading public man in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Wilkinson, though having reached the allotted age of man, is well preserved, vigorous and straight, and still active in business. It would seem as if he had the constitution and carefully preserved physical powers which promise that his egress will be late to heaven. Unlike gross Esau he never has sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, but like Jacob he has discovered a ladder of light reaching to heaven, and he has ever been endeavoring to ascend it, and those who have known him best believe that he has made good progress and will at length be welcomed into the fadeless light with the angelic plaudit, "Well done," leaving a good name behind, and bearing with him many a precious gift to enrich and beau- tify the immortal life.
BEATTIE, WILLIAM JOHNSON, Physician, Little- ton, was born in Ryegate, Vermont, September 6, 1864, son of James Milligan and Margaret Sophia (Nelson) Beattie. His maternal grandfather, John Nelson, was of Scotch descent, and was the first male child born in Ryegate. His maternal grand-
mother was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, and was of Irish descent. His grandfather, John Beat- tie, was born in Orange county, New York. Doctor Beattie received his education at the district school of his native place, at Peacham Academy, and at
.
WILLIAM J. BEATTIE.
St. Johnsbury Academy, Vermont. He was gradu- ated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, March 12, 1889. In the course of his studies he spent a year in the hospital work. He began prac- tice in Littleton, in May, 1889, and has remained there ever since. He is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a charter member of the Cohashauke Club of Littleton. In politics, he is a Republican. He married, May 29, 1890, Elizabeth A. Tuttle. They have two daughters : Margaret, born January 18, 1891, and Barbara Beattie, born December 28, 1897.
BRENNAN, JAMES FRANCIS, Lawyer, Peterbor- ough, was born in that town March 31, 1853. His father, Hubert Brennan, a native of Lavagh, County Roscommon, Ireland, came to America in 1845, settling six years later in Peterborough, where he built up a large marble and granite business, and by his public spirit and enterprise added greatly to the material advancement of the town. His mother's maiden name was Mary Mahoney, a native of Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The subject of our sketch received his preliminary edu-
121
MEN OF PROGRESS.
cation in the common schools and academy of his native village, and learned the trade of marble carving at his father's establishment. In 18So. he commenced the study of law in the office of Charles Poe. Baltimore, and after a three years' course in the Law School of the University of Maryland, graduated in the class of 'S4. receiving the degree of Bachelor of Law. He was admitted to practice at the New Hampshire Bar. August 28, 1884. the United States Court the next year. and establishing an office in Peterborough has since attained an excellent law practice : he is employed in much important litigation, and is accorded the confidence of the community in which he lives. Mr. Brennan is a Democrat in politics and has done efficient work for his party on the stump. In the November election of 1886 he ran largely ahead of the general ticket as his party's candidate for County Solicitor. this being the only time he has allowed his name to be used as a candidate for a political office. He is unmarried. has an extended acquaintance throughout the state, and possesses a host of friends. He has served on the board of Town
JAMES F. BRENNAN.
Auditors, Library Committee, School Board, and Bank Director in his native town. He is a lover of books, and possesses a very fine law library. Mr. Brennan's career exemplifies what integrity and unaided industry can accomplish.
BROWN, ORANGE SCOTT. Resident Agent of the Salmon Falls Manufacturing Company, was born in Slatersville. Rhode Island, son of Row- land H. and Nancy M. (Whitmarsh) Brown. His father was a native of North Kingston.
O. S. BROWN.
Rhode Island, his mother of East Greenwich. in that state. His father was of English descent. He has long been connected with the Salmon Falls Manufacturing Company, a corporation with a cap- ital of six hundred thousand dollars, devoted to the manufacture of fine and fancy goods, sateens, etc .. and he has held the position of Agent for twenty- three years.
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.