USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire agriculture : personal and farm sketches > Part 11
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
Mr. Goodhue was educated in the town schools, and has passed his life thus far in the pursuit of agriculture. At the age of twenty-one years, he purchased of his father
HOME OF GEORGE W. GOODHUE, HANCOCK.
a half interest in the farm, and a few years later the re- maining half. He has about seventy acres of land, alto- gether, in Hancock, and a hundred-acre pasture in Nelson. His hay crop amounts to about thirty-five
202
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
tons per annum, and he also puts in about sixty tons of ensilage, having been the first man in town to build a silo, some fifteen years ago. He has a fine, modern barn, 36x68 feet, with cellar under the whole, and keeps eighteen to twenty head of cattle and two horses. He makes a specialty of private dairying, producing some fifteen hundred pounds of choice butter per annum, which he sells to special customers in Hancock and Boston. He has a good supply of fruit of all kinds for family use, and a good surplus of apples for the market.
He is a member of John Hancock grange, and has filled various offices in the organization, including that of Master for two years. He is also a charter mem- ber of Hillsborough County Pomona grange, No. I. In politics, he is a Republican, and he is also a member of the Congregational church. He has served the town three years as a member of the school-board, four years as selectman, and was a representative in the legisla- ture of 1889-'90.
In September, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Ella L. Tuttle of Hancock, who is his faithful help- meet and co-laborer in all things.
WILLIAM H. CHILD,
CORNISH.
In the year 1775, Stephen Child, from Woodstock, Conn., settled upon a farm of 130 acres, about one mile south of the present village of Cornish Flat. It was a farm valued chiefly for its pine lumber. A bog meadow and rocky hillsides were its prominent features. Here he lived and died. His youngest son, Stephen (father of William H.), born in 1792, also lived here, dying in I866.
203
PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
In 1832, the subject of this sketch was born. He graduated from Kimball Union academy, Meriden, in the class of 1856. He spent some time teaching in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Ohio. The failing health of his parents rendered it necessary for him to quit teach- ing and remain at home. On the first of January, 1857, he married Miss Ellen F. Leighton, of Hartford, Vt., who also received her education at Meriden. Together they took up the bur- den of life upon the old farm, with some- what dilapidated build- ings, and with a heavy mortgage upon the same. Their union was blessed with five chil- dren-William P., now in Australia, Frank Eugene, dying in in- fancy, Hattie Lillian, wife of R. C. True, Esq., of Lebanon, Ed- win L., who remains on the homestead, and WILLIAM H. CHILD. Ida Louise, teacher in the grammar depart- ment of the West Lebanon graded school.
Realizing the importance of an education, Mr. and Mrs. Child were willing to make sacrifices to give their children as good an education as their means would allow. They have long been members of the Baptist church, and have always been active in church and Sunday-school work. Mr. Child has always taken an interest in the affairs of the town and community. He is now serving his tenth year as member of the town
204
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
school-board, and is also a director of the Cornish cream- ery. He is a Past Master of Cheshire Lodge F. and A. M., also Past D. D. G. M. of M. W. Grand Lodge of New Hampshire.
In the year 1860, a new barn 30 x 60 took the place of an old one, and this was followed by other extensive repairs. Considerable attention has also been given to the orchard, and the farm produces an abundance of
FARM OF WILLIAM H. CHILD, CORNISH.
choice fruit. All these improvements required a con- stant outlay of money, and in spite of hard work and the most rigid economy and careful management, the debt had not decreased but rather increased, and he began to realize they were no longer young people, and were as yet unprovided with sufficient means to secure the com- forts needful for those in declining years. At this crit- ical period, his attention was turned to the many acres of swamp land, from which each year was secured but a
205
PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
small crop of the poorest quality of hay. After carefully considering the matter, and with the cooperation and assistance of his youngest son, who had received a year's instruction at the New Hampshire College of Agriculture, he determined to begin the work of underdraining this land, and in 1886 the first tile was laid. The success attending this effort far exceeded his expectation, and so the work is still going on, with gratifying results. Over fifteen acres have now been underdrained, and from this land each year are raised enormous crops. He has taken many first premiums upon vegetables grown on land that had ever been considered worthless. As agent for John H. Jackson, of the New York State Drain Tile Works at Albany, he has not only used but sold large quantities of tile to others who have been wit- nesses of his success. Prominent among these patrons was the late Hon. Austin Corbin, who purchased and used several car-loads.
Since beginning operations ten years ago, besides pay- ing all expenses of drainage, he has discharged over $1,800 of debt, that had long been hanging over the farm, besides largely increasing its value and more than doubling the personal property thereon. Although other circumstances have concurred to this end, yet this degree of success is very largely due to reasons before stated, viz. : the largely increased income from the farm. His experience furnishes a practical answer to the ques- tion regarding drainage : " Will it pay ?" Besides bet- tering his condition financially, he has changed an unsightly piece of land to a beautiful meadow (a portion of which is herewith represented), which all the neigh- bors take pride in pointing out to visitors.
206
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
WILLIAM H. NEAL,
MEREDITH.
Frequenters of the New England fair, and the leading fairs in this state for several years past, who have in- spected the stock departments, will recall the names of William Neal & Son, of Meredith, as leading exhibit- ors of thoroughbred Devon cattle, in the breeding of which, as well as Southdown sheep, which they have pursued to a considerable extent, they gained a high reputation.
William Neal was a native of Meredith, born October 28, 1830, and passed his life in that town, as a farmer, the last quarter of a century upon the farm which the son, William H. Neal, now occupies, situated about a mile out of the village, upon the Centre Harbor road, and commanding a fine view of the bay and surrounding scenery. This farm contains about 100 acres of land, of exceptionally strong soil; while three other lots, con- taining 100 acres more, altogether, are owned in con- nection therewith. The annual hay crop is about sixty tons, secured from thirty acres of land ; while from 600 to 800 bushels of ears of corn, and a considerable amount of oats are also produced. Fruit and poultry are also raised to a considerable extent.
For many years, Shorthorn stock was bred here with much success, and Southdown sheep were a prominent feature ; but for twelve years past, Devon stock has been the leading specialty, though the sheep are still contin- ued to some extent. About thirty-five head of cattle are now kept, including sixteen cows, the milk from which is retailed in the village. The stock was originally from the celebrated herd of Harley Hall of Lyndonville, Vt., and has been bred with great care. Some of the ani- mals are of superior value, and the premiums obtained
GROUP OF DEVONS- FARM OF WILLIAM H. NEAL, MEREDITH.
208
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
at the different fairs have been almost surprising in ex- tent, amounting to over $500 in 1896 alone.
William Neal married Mary E. Smith of Sanbornton, who died August 27, 1892, leaving two children, Wil- liam H., and Bertha M., another son having died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. Neal himself was killed by a railway train, while driving across the track, on his return from the Grafton County fair, at Plymouth, Sep- tember 18, 1895. He was a prominent citizen of his town, a Democrat in politics, and had served as select- man, and in other town offices.
William H. Neal, the surviving son, who had been associated with his father in the man- agement of the farm, and succeeds him in proprietorship, was born in Meredith, July 5, 1871. He received a good, practical edu- cation, having gradu- ated at the Meredith high school, and at the commercial col- lege at New Hamp- ton, in 1890, since which time he has been actively engaged on the farm, and is an WILLIAM H. NEAL. enthusiast in his spe- cialty. He is a member of Winnipesaukee grange of Meredith, and was Lecturer of that organization in 1896. He is, as yet, unmarried, his sister remaining at home in charge of the household.
209
PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
GEORGE G. RICE,
RINDGE.
The Rices of Rindge are descendants of the emigrant, Edmund Rice, who came to America from the mother country in 1638. The first of the name to dwell in the town was Abijah Rice, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Of him it is recorded that he was " a farmer, a man of integrity and unex- ceptionable charac- ter." His second son, Harrison G., was for many years the butch- er of the town, as well as a successful farm- er. He filled many offices of trust in the town, including those of selectman and rep- resentative. He mar- ried Elizabeth H. GEORGE G. RICE. Wood, daughter of David Wood, of the town of Rindge.
George G. Rice, eldest son of Harrison G. and Eliza- beth (Wood) Rice, was born in Rindge, July 8, 1845. and was educated and grew to manhood in that town. October 29, 1873, he married Martha F. Hale, daugh- ter of John F. and Rebecca (Bailey) Hale, a direct descendant of Moses Hale, one of the first settlers of Rindge, who located there in 1760, and a kinsman of Col. Nathan Hale of Revolutionary fame. The Hales of Rindge have always been one of the largest and most influential families.
14
2IO
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
At his marriage, Mr. Rice went directly on to the farm formerly owned by his grandfather, which he had previously purchased. This was an excellent farm, and here fifteen years of happy and successful farm life were passed. In the fall of 1888, the Cheshire Improvement company purchased Mr. Rice's farm, in order to secure his services as general superintendent, in which capacity he was engaged two years, when he resigned, much to the regret of the company, because he preferred being his own master.
He immediately purchased a few acres of land, and again commenced farming on a small scale, as he termed it, and has added by successive purchases till he has now a larger farm than before. He has erected a large and beautiful farm-house and fine barn, with all neces- sary outbuildings. Fine scenery abounds in this region, and Mr. Rice's house, being located on high ground, commands a beautiful view.
Mr. Rice has always given his attention to dairying. While on his first farm, he made butter, which was re- tailed to private customers ; but at present he is retailing milk in the village. He is a strong admirer of Jersey stock, and has some fine specimens of that breed.
In politics, Mr. Rice is a Republican. He has served four years as a member of the board of selectmen, hav- ing been elected in 1889, '90, '91, and '96. He has always been interested in the schools, served as pruden- tial committee under the old system, and has been nine years a member of the school board under the new law. He is a thorough temperance man, never using liquor or tobacco in any form, and earnestly advising all young men to let both entirely alone.
Mr. and Mrs. Rice have one son, Harris, born April 2, 1881, their eldest, George H., dying in childhood. The family are all active members of Marshall P. Wilder grange, No. 134, of East Rindge.
211
PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
CHESTER H. PHILLIPS,
FITZWILLIAM.
In the town of Fitzwilliam, at the foot of the grand Monadnock, lies the farm of Chester Herbert Phillips, one of the youngest, one of the most popular and progressive farmers of the town. The farm upon which he lives came into his possession in 1891. Of the two hundred acres that compose it, twenty-five are under cultivation, fifty are in pasture land, and the remainder is wood and timber lands of spruce, pine, and hemlock. In the win- ter he is engaged in cutting the same.
Mr. Phillips was married, April 20, 1892, to Anna M., daughter of Alvah M. Merrill of Plymouth, N. II., who is a grad- uate of the N. H. Nor- mal school. They have one daughter, Mar- guerite, born Septem- ber 13, 1894. Posses- sed of a determined will and good judg- ment, honesty and in- tegrity, he is making his farm one of the best in the southern part of Cheshire coun-
ty. The making of CHESTER H. PHILLIPS. butter has always been a specialty with him until recently, butter from his farm commanding the highest market price. Celery growing also occupies a large share of his time. Situated mid- way between Fitzwilliam village and Winchendon, Mass .. he has an abundant market. Corn is raised in sufficient
212
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
quantity to supply the needs of the farm. In the near future, he contemplates the raising of raspberries for the market, believing there is a great profit in small fruit.
Mr. Phillips has served the town three years succes- sively as selectman, having been chairman of the board in 1895. At the last meeting of the Republican club, he was chosen county delegate to Keene.
In the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, he is an interested member, holding various offices, until in 1894 he was elected master, serving one year, and unanimous- ly elected for another term, which he declined. In the annual town fair association, he has served as secretary or as judge in some of the various departments, always working to promote the welfare and prosperity of the cause of agriculture.
Mr. Phillips owns two houses, in one of which lives his father, Winslow Phillips, a hale and vigorous man of eighty years and one of the town's most respected citizens, and his mother, Susan (Bent) Phillips, a granddaughter of Rev. Arunah Allen.
EDMUND STONE,
SWANZEY.
The subject of this sketch is of the eighth generation from Gregory Stone, who embarked at Ipswich, England, in the ship Increas, April 15, 1635. The Stones have been an honored and respected family, prominent in the affairs of every town where they have lived. Edmund Stone, eldest son of Martin and Betsey V. Stone, was born in Fitzwilliam, April 5, 1815, and removed with his parents to Swanzey when a child of two years, where he has ever since had his home, the house in which he lives having been erected by his father when he was fourteen
EDMUND STONE.
214
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
years of age. He was educated in the district school, and after coming of age, worked out at farming for a few years ; but, shortly after his marriage with Lucy, daughter of Davis Healey of Swanzey, February II, 1841, he came home, took charge of the farm, and assumed the care of his parents. He pursued mixed farming with a good measure of success for many years. He also engaged in the wood and timber business in the winter season, thus keeping himself actively engaged throughout the year, and in 1862 erected a stave mill, which proved a profitable investment. After about thir- ty-five years of active life, in the management of the farm and other business, during which time he increased his acreage from one hundred and fifty to about three hundred and sixty, and effected many improvements, he gave the direction of affairs into the hands of his young- est son, Lyman M. Stone, who remains at home and continues the business, and has also added some one hundred and twenty-five acres to the estate. They have about forty-five acres of tillage land, and some twenty acres of meadow too moist for cultivation, the balance being in pasture, wood, and timber.
The annual hay crop amounts to about forty-five tons, which is supplemented with a large amount of corn fod- der and other crops, including, the last season, two hun- dred and fifty bushels of turnips. The stock kept con- sists of about twenty-five head of cattle, three horses, and some sheep and swine. The buildings are well ar- ranged, and the house, which has been thoroughly re- modeled, is a handsome and convenient farm home.
Mr. and Mrs. Stone had five children in all, two of whom died young. Those surviving are Seamon A., born July 15, 1842, now bookkeeper of the Phoenix Building society of Chicago, who married Mollie King of that city, and has four children ; Ellen A., born Oct.
215
PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
6, 1843, now the wife of Calvin Davis, a farmer of Rox- bury ; and Lyman M., the son now at home, who mar- ried Leaffie J. Greenleaf and has three children, and who is known as an enterprising farmer and public- spirited citizen.
After more than half a century of happy married life, Mrs. Stone was " called home " in 1895. Edmund Stone, at eighty-two years of age, is found in the full enjoyment of large mental powers, and good physical health-a man whom it is a pleasure to meet ; who is reaping the rewards of a temperate, industrious life in the respect and esteem of his fellow-men. In politics, he has never been a partisan, but has always given his support to the men and measures that he deemed most worthy, regardless of party restraint. He has served his town on the board of selectmen, and was collector of taxes for eleven successive years.
L. HARLAND) ROBBINS,
MASON.
The Robbinses were among the earliest settlers of Mason, and their descendants have ever since dwelt in that town. Among the prominent representatives of the family, there residing at the present time, is L. Harland Robbins, the subject of this sketch, son of Louis and Emily (Winship) Robbins, born May 10, 1844. Edu- cated in the town schools and reared to farm life, he has pursued the agricultural calling with devotion and a good measure of success, first working for others and ulti- mately for himself.
In December, 1868, he married Abby E. Wheeler of New Ipswich, being at that time engaged in the employ of an uncle of his bride, in whose service he remained about a year. Subsequently they resided for a year in
216
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
Townsend, Mass., returning to take charge of Mr. Wheeler's home, the wife of the latter having died. He remained there some time, his wife having charge of the house, and himself engaged upon the farm. He was afterward engaged for a year in Ashby, Mass., and then took charge of the town farm in that place, which he managed successfully two years, when he removed to the farm on which he now resides, which he had pur- chased meanwhile. It was then what is generally known as a "run-down farm," and produced no more
FARM HOME OF L. HARLAND ROBBINS, MASON.
forage than would have sufficed to keep three cows and a pair of horses.
Mr. Robbins went to work systematically and ear- nestly, with the determination to effect a change for the better, and he has continued the work of improvement from that time to the present, keeping now upon the place a stock of some twenty-five head of cattle and five horses, two hundred and fifty hens, and ten to fifteen swine, meanwhile having constructed a fine, commodi- ous barn, and thoroughly remodeled the house, so that he has one of the best appointed farm homes in the
217
PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
vicinity, the attractiveness of which is materially enhanced by the beautiful scenery with which it is surrounded.
Mr. Robbins has followed mixed farming, though making quite a specialty of small fruits at one time, par- ticularly berries, selling from $400 to $500 worth of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries in a season. He made a trial of peaches, setting several hundred trees, but did not find them a success. Winter dairying is now a leading feature of his farm work, about one hundred pounds of choice butter per week being retailed in Fitchburg, Mass. He believes in raising his own stock, and fine grade Holsteins constitute the main por- tion thereof.
Mr. Robbins's first wife died in October, 1878, leaving two children, Melville H., born October 31, 1869, and L. Edith, July 28, 1873. In May, ISSI, he was united with his present wife, Miss Georgianna Hayward, daugh- ter of Austin and Martha (Wright) Hayward, of Ashby, Mass.
Politically, Mr. Robbins is a Democrat, and he has served his town as a member of the board of selectmen. Both he and his wife are interested members of Fruit- dale grange, No. 106, of Mason.
ALFRED J. GOULD).
NEWPORT.
In the northwestern portion of the town of Newport, four or five miles distant from the village, on the road from Northville to Cornish Flat is the Gould homestead, now known as "Fruit Farm," originally settled by Nathan Gould of Hopkinton in 1790, and now the home of his grandson, Alfred J. Gould, who has long been regarded as one of the most prosperous and successful farmers in the town. Here were reared the ten children of Nathan
218
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
and Betsey (Goodwin) Gould, and here their eldest son, Gideon, lived and died at the age of more than fourscore years.
Alfred J. Gould, only child of Gideon and Sally (Ward) Gould, was born at the old homestead January 18, 1840, and here has always had his home, succeeding to the estate upon his father's decease. He was educated at the district school and at Newport academy, but with a natural inclination for the occupation of his ancestors, has devoted himself closely to agriculture throughout his life, and by thorough cul- tivation has maintain- ed the fertility and in- creased the product- iveness of the farm, which, originally em- bracing one hundred and fifty acres, now includes about three hundred and fifty, ex- tensive additions hav- ing been made from time to time by his ALFRED J. GOULD. father and himself. From fifty to seventy- five acres are in mowing and tillage, and the annual hay crop averages about seventy-five tons.
Mixed farming has always been pursued on this farm, though it had a reputation for the excellence of its dairy products half a century ago and more, and has been known particularly of late for the excellent quality and large variety of its fruit. From twenty to thirty head of cattle, four horses, and about fifty sheep are usually
.. FRUIT FARM " BUILDINGS-A. J. GOULD, NEWPORT.
220
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
kept, and the raising of milch cows for sale has been quite a feature in the recent management of the place. So, also, is the maple sugar product, sent to the Boston market largely in the form of superior syrup, of which some four hundred or five hundred gallons are annually produced. He raises annually from a ton to a ton and a half of pork for market, believing it to be far preferable to the purchase of commercial fertilizers.
Mr. Gould has a natural taste for fruit culture, and, his soil being peculiarly adapted to the thrifty growth of the apple, he has taken pains to graft to the best varieties all apple-trees springing up on the place, and has set many more, so that he has now on his farm over 1,000 grafted apple-trees. Many of these have not come into full bearing as yet, though his average product is from one hundred and fifty to four hundred barrels, which will be largely increased in a few years, the Baldwin being the leading variety. He has also about one hundred and twenty-five plum- and as many pear-trees, and many bushels of these choice fruits are also marketed in bear- ing years.
Although with characteristic modesty refraining from any active demonstration in the political field, Mr. Gould, who is a Republican, is interested in public affairs, and has served four years as a member of the board of select- men, and was a representative from Newport in the legis- lature of 1889, serving as a member of the finance committee and taking an active interest in all matters of importance coming before the house. He is liberal in his religious convictions ; is a member of Sugar River Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., and also of Sullivan grange, No. 8, of Newport, of which organization he has been several years treasurer. He is one of the Trustees of the Newport Savings Bank.
Mr. Gould married Sarah Jane Ayers of Cornish,
221
PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
December 15, 1861, who died October 6, 1864, leaving one son, who also died at the age of five years. Febru- ary 3, 1866, he was united with his present wife, Miss Orpha A. Honey of Lempster, by whom he has one daughter, Mary Alice, born June 1, 1886, while two sons died in infancy.
-
PHILIP C. CLOUGH,
CANTERBURY.
A prominent representative of the well-known Clough family of Canterbury is Philip Carrigan, son of Thomas and Hannah ( Hazeltine ) Clough, born February 19, 1835, upon the old homestead, now in his possession, and orig- inally owned by his grandfather, Obadiah Clough, where he has ever had his home. Mr. Clough was edu- cated in the district schools and at New Hampton Insti- tution, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, studying the best methods and doing thoroughly what- ever he undertakes. The home farm, upon which is a substantial set of buildings, contains about 125 acres. In addition to this, he has about 200 acres more, in two other localities in town, mostly wood and pasture, one lot being the old Hazeltine place, formerly occupied by his mother's family. About 50 acres of his home farm is in mowing and tillage, and is thoroughly cultivated. In former years, wool growing was a specialty on this farm, from 125 to 150 fine sheep being kept for this pur- pose ; but of late dairying has been a leading feature, and of the 25 head of cattle usually kept, about 15 are milch cows, whose production is carried to the cream- ery, a stock company which Mr. Clough was largely interested in establishing, and the cream sold to H. P. Hood & Sons of Derry. The hay product is sup- plemented for feeding purposes by ensilage, for which
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.