USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire agriculture : personal and farm sketches > Part 18
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Milk delivered to family customers, for many years in Dover, but latterly in the village of Salmon Falls, has been his principal line. His stock averages about thirty- five head, from twenty to twenty-five being cows, all of which at the present time are registered Holsteins. For some years he had Short Horns, and subsequently bred Ayrshires, but of late has given his preference to the Holsteins, in the selection and breeding of which he has taken much pains. His bull, "Jan. 3d's Prince Sol- dene," from the famous Damon herd of Cochituate, Mass., is a superior animal, and another recently pro- cured from William Rood of Binghamton, N. Y., has a butter record on the mother's side of over thirty-eight pounds per week. He has exhibited his herd at the
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Rochester fair with great success for a number of years, in 1896 capturing nearly all the first prizes in his class.
Mr. Roberts ordinarily cuts seventy-five tons of hay or more on his own farm, and one hundred on the home- stead, and raises about ten acres of corn on both places. He has a silo of ninety tons capacity, and is planning a larger one. His buildings are commodious and conven- ient, and he is abundantly supplied with all the essential modern farm appliances.
Politically, Mr. Roberts is a Democrat. He served the town two years as superintending school committee under the old system, and has been for two terms a member of the school board under the new law. He also served for eight years as a selectman, being chairman of the board six years successively up to 1897, and represented the town in the legislature in 1895. Although the county is ordinarily strongly Republican, he has served four years upon its board of commission- ers. In religion he is a Baptist and is associated with the church of that denomination at South Berwick, Me. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Sal- mon Falls. He is a trustee of the Rollinsford Savings Bank at Salmon Falls, and a director of the Salmon Falls (state) Bank, succeeding his father in these positions.
He was a charter member and actively interested in the organization of Hiram R. Roberts Grange, of Rol- linsford (appropriately named for his honored father), whose spacious new hall stands near his residence, and was elected Master of the same in December, 1896. He is also a member of the executive committee of the State Grange, elected in 1895.
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have had nine children, of whom seven-three sons and four daughters-are living. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, is a teacher, a graduate of Salem, Mass., Normal School, and the second is a
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pupil in the Dover High School, while the eldest son, J. Harry, is a graduate of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, of the class of 1896.
HARRISON G. BURLEY,
NEWMARKET.
The old Burley homestead in Newmarket, located in the southwestern portion of the town, four miles from the village, and about one mile from Littlefield's crossing, on the Concord & Portsmouth railroad, has been held in the family since its settlement in 1769 by Josiah Burley, a descendant of Giles Burley, who was a citizen of Ipswich, Mass., as early as 1648. The present owner, Harrison Gray Burley, son of Jonathan and Sarah C. (Neal) Burley, was born here, December 9, 1834, and has spent his life upon the farm thus far. He was educated in the common school and at Blanchard academy, Pembroke, and has devoted his life primarily to the pursuit of agriculture, incidentally dealing in cattle to a considerable extent.
The farm, which includes something less than 200 acres, is in excellent condition, with good buildings, well arranged, and all the necessary modern appliances. About forty acres of land are in mowing and tillage, and the annual hay crop averages about forty tons. Four hundred bushels of corn per annum have been produced, and a good variety of fruit is usually secured. A small but choice dairy of grade Jersey and Durham cows is kept, and the butter product of about 1,000 pounds per annum is retailed to private customers. Four good horses are usually kept on the farm, and a number of superior swine.
Mr. Burley was united in marriage, January 17, 1877, with Fannie E., daughter of the late Jewett Conner,
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Esq., of Exeter. They have three children-a son and two daughters-Walter D., born October 24, 1877 ; Lillian M., now a student at Robinson Female seminary, Exeter, born October 15, 1879; and Winnifred Conner, born November 21, 1889.
Mr. Burley is an earnest Democrat in politics, and has always taken a strong interest in public affairs. He has held various offices in the gift of his towns- men, serving several years as a member of the board of selectmen, as supervisor, and as representative in the state legislature in 1872 and 1873. He is a charter member of South Newmarket Grange, served three years as lecturer of the organization, and as overseer in 1897. He is also a member of East Rockingham Po- HARRISON G. BURLEY. mona Grange, and has been overseer of the same. His religious affiliation is with the Congregationalists, and he is an attendant with his family upon the services of that denomination at South Newmarket, now Newfields.
For nearly twenty-five years past Mr. Burley has been an agent of the Rockingham Fire Insurance company of Exeter, and has been quite extensively engaged in look- ing after its interests, serving also in the capacity of adjuster in determining losses through quite a large extent of territory in his section of the state. Since 1878 he has been a director of the organization.
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WARREN A. FRENCH,
ALSTEAD.
Warren A. French, fifth son of Charles F. and Aurelia French, was born in the town of Alstead, which has always been his home, March 17, 1860. His parents were industrious, upright, conscientious people, devoted members of the Methodist church, who, themselves in limited circumstances, brought up their nine children in the way they should go, by impressing upon their minds the importance of industry and integrity. Warren A. attended the district school as far as opportunity per- mitted, but while quite young commenced working out by the month, cutting four foot wood in winter, and establishing a reputation for industry, perseverance and reliability which he has maintained through life.
April 4, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Etta Emmons, daughter of David and Celinda Emmons of Bristol, when they established their home upon the well- known Samuel Goodhue farm in the southeastern part of Alstead, about one and one-half miles from Gilsum village, which is his post-office and business address, which farm, prompted by faith and courage, he had recently purchased, though incurring large indebtedness in so doing. Here the young couple entered earnestly upon their life work, and the reward of patient industry, sagacity, and enterprise has been theirs in large degree. The farm, which embraces some 300 acres, has been thoroughly rehabilitated, and brought into an excellent state of cultivation, the buildings remodeled and improved, and all the evidences of thrift and prosperity made clearly manifest.
Mr. French is a thoroughly progressive and scientific farmer, with improvement and progress as his motto. Thoroughbred Jersey cattle, Percheron horses, Chester
FARM BUILDINGS OF WARREN A. FRENCH, ALSTEAD.
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White swine, and Brahma and Plymouth Rock fowls are his hobbies, and he is successful with them all. He cuts in the vicinity of 100 tons of hay, and supplements the same with ensilage, and uses the most improved farm machinery in all his operations. His stock consists of about fifty head of cattle, eight horses, and forty to sixty swine.
Mr. French is always loyal to public duty, alive to the interests of his town and neighborhood, and, with his wife, takes an active interest in social affairs. They are both earnest members of the order of Patrons of Hus- bandry, having received the seventh or highest degree. They are also charter members of Social Commandery, of the order of the Golden Cross, in which organization Mr. French is at present a deputy in the Grand Com- mandery. He is a member of Forest lodge, No. 69, I. O. O. F., and with his wife belongs to Golden Rule Rebekah Degree lodge. He is also an active member of the United Order of American Mechanics, and he and his wife are members of the Daughters of Liberty, also the order of Fraternal Helpers. They have served in vari- ous official positions in the organizations with which they are associated, with credit to themselves and benefit to their associates, and by counsel and effort have con- tributed to their prosperity.
Mr. and Mrs. French have two children-both daugh- ters-Gracie, born April 18, 1886, and Ruby E., born July 20, 1887, who are the light and joy of a cheerful home. Politically, Mr. French is a Republican. The family are constant attendants at the Congregational church, and all are members of the Sunday-school.
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GEORGE E. NEWMAN,
ALSTEAD.
No man in southwestern New Hampshire is more gen- erally known in agricultural circles, or is more actively interested in the work of the Grange than George E. Newman of Alstead. He is a native of Gilsum, the oldest of five (three surviving) sons of George W., and Esther L. Newman, born March 5, 1850, in the house in Gilsum village built and owned by his father, which is now the Congregational parsonage, where he lived until twelve years of age, when his father bought the well-known David Ware farm near the village, and there removed with his fam- ily, that his sons might have healthy and honorable oc- cupation, and be reared to a life of virtuous industry. The father, in his lifetime, was one of the strong, en- terprising, prosperous citi- zens of the town, of firm principle and fixed integri- ty, and his influence, with that of a devoted and watch- ful mother, who is still liv- GEORGE E. NEWMAN. ing, shaped well the char- acters of their children.
Mr. Newman acquired a good common school educa- tion, and attended Kimball Union academy at Meriden two seasons. At the age of nineteen years his father gave him his time for the balance of his minority. He remained at home one year, working for wages, with the
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exception of the winter months, when he taught school with success. His father desired him to pursue a col- legiate course, and offered assistance to that end, but he had developed so strong an ambition for active life that he failed to accept the offer, and, at the age of twenty, bought out the teaming line between Gilsum and Keene, a distance of nine miles, which he conducted for seven- teen years. One year later, when twenty-one, he pur- chased a half interest in the general merchandise store in Gilsum village, which he run for four years, then selling to his brothers, Daniel W., and Isaac B. New- man. At this time he commenced dealing extensively in live stock and general farm products, thus furnishing a convenient market for farmers in that and surrounding towns.
In 1880, Mr. Newman purchased the well-known Aaron Brigham homestead, situated in Alstead, about a mile and three-fourths from Gilsum, his original pur- pose being to utilize the same as a summer resort, but the attractions of the place proved so great that he deter- mined to make it a permanent family home, and there has been his residence up to the present time. He has made great improvements on all sides, new buildings being erected and old ones repaired, the fields cleaned up and their fertility largely increased, so that it is now not only the largest, but also one of the best-equipped farms in town, and among the most desirable in the state. He has about 1,000 acres of land altogether, and his hay and ensilage equal the value of 150 tons of the former, per annum. His stock averages about 100 head of cattle, altogether, thirty horses, and forty hogs. For many years past, indeed, the place has been widely known as the "Gilsum live stock market," from the extensive business in the purchase and sale of stock in which Mr. Newman has been engaged, greatly to the convenience of his fel-
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE E. NEWMAN, ALSTEAD.
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low-farmers and others, on all sides, for miles around. There are two extensive mica mines on this farm, which have been developed sufficiently to prove their value. The place is also noted for the large quantity and excel- lent quality of maple sugar annually produced thereon. In addition to other business, it may be added that Mr. Newman has been extensively engaged in lumbering for a number of years.
Mr. Newman married, first, Sarah A. Wilder, daugh- ter of George and Nancy Wilder, of Alstead Center, September 29, 1875. She died, beloved by all who knew her, March 29, 1884. June 3, 1885, he married Abbie M., daughter of James A. and Susan P. Kidder, of Alstead. They have one son, George E. Newman, Jr., a promising lad, the pride of the home, now ten years of age, who is president of the Junior society of Christian Endeavor, in Gilsum.
Mr. Newman early interested himself in the work of fraternal, benevolent, and patriotic organizations. He was for many years president of the local Temperance society in Gilsum. He is a member of Forest Lodge, No. 69, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are also members of Golden Rule Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 30, as well as charter members of Social Commandery, No. 445, U. O. G. C. He is associated with the Red Men, American Mechanics, and with the Daughters of Lib- erty, as a charter member. Both are enthusiastic Patrons of Husbandry, and seventh degree members of the order. He has served Ashuelot Grange efficiently as master, and given much time and effort to promote the welfare of the order at large. Politically, he is a Republican, active and ardent, and has served his party with the same zeal as the other organizations to which he be- longs. He has been several times a member of the board of selectmen, and is usually selected by his fellow-
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citizens to preside on public occasions, his natural enthu- siasm and capacity for leadership admirably adapting him for such service. He and his family are constant attendants at the Congregational church and Sunday- school in Gilsum.
EDWARD E. BISHOP,
BETHLEHEM.
At the meeting of the governor and council on Tues- day, November 2, 1897, among other changes made in the personnel of the State Board of Agriculture was that involved in the appointment of Edward E. Bishop of Bethlehem, to be a member of the board for the county of Grafton, in place of George W. Mann of Benton, who had served two terms, and, on account of advancing age and impaired health, had expressed a desire not to be reappointed.
Edward E. Bishop, son of Horace and Martha E. Bishop, was born in Newbury, Vt., October 18, 1859. When he was two years of age, his parents removed to the town of Littleton in this state, where he grew to manhood and continued his home until the spring of 1889. He received his education at St. Johnsbury, Vt., Academy, and the Eastman Business College, Pough- keepsie, N. Y., graduating from the latter in January, 1883.
Active and ambitious, and realizing the opportunity which the mountain hotels afforded for profitable busi- ness for any one disposed to study their needs, and meet the same with judgment and discrimination, he com- menced, early in life, the business of purchasing from the farmers of the vicinity, poultry, eggs, butter, fruit, vegetables, etc., and disposing of the same at the hotels and boarding-houses in Bethlehem, and other summer
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resorts in that section of the state, and has continued the same up to the present time, establishing the largest business in this line in northern New Hampshire.
In 1889, he purchased a fine farm of eighty acres in the town of Bethlehem, on the main road from Littleton to Bethlehem street, three miles from the former and two from the latter, which has since been his base of opera- tions. He has about forty acres in mowing and tillage. cuts about forty tons of hay, has a fine dairy of twelve or fifteen grade Jerseys, whose product is marketed at home in summer and shipped to Boston in winter. He also raises about two acres of strawberries, for which crop the ho- tels furnish a ready and profitable market. In connection with his market business, he has erected a capa- EDWARD E. BISHOP. cious freezing and cold storage house, which
gives him exceptional advantage.
Mr. Bishop was united in marriage, May 11, 1885, with Miss Carrie M. Miner of Lyman, and four sons have been born to them. He is a Congregationalist in religion, and a Democrat in politics. He has served for four years upon the board of selectmen in Bethlehem, having been chosen chairman of the board for the last three years without an opposing vote. He also repre- sented the town in the legislature of 1897-8, serving upon the committee on railroads. He belongs to the Masonic
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fraternity, being a member of Burns lodge, No. 66, of Littleton, and is also an active Patron of Husbandry, serving in 1897 as one of the executive committee of Bethlehem Grange, and as secretary of Northern New Hampshire Pomona Grange. He is the president of the Bethlehem Fair association, a new organization, which claims the credit of holding the best town fair in the state in the year 1897.
WILLIAM F. WESTGATE,
HAVERHILL.
Among the best-known citizens of Haverhill, which has always ranked as one of the best agricultural towns in the state, is William Francis Westgate, son of the late Hon. Nathaniel W. and Louisa (Tyler) Westgate. He was born in the town of Enfield, July 5, 1852, but removed with his parents to Haverhill in 1856, when his father, a lawyer by profession, entered upon his duties as register of probate for the county of Grafton, to which office he had been appointed, and which he held until 1861, when he was made judge of probate by Governor Berry, who had himself previously held the office, which position he filled for ten years.
William F. Westgate was educated for the legal pro- fession, pursuing his preparatory studies at Meriden and New London, and graduating from Dartmouth college in 1875, one of his classmates being Frank S. Black, now governor of New York. He studied law with George F. Putnam, now of Kansas City, then in practice at Haverhill, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. But, nothwithstanding his legal training, his natural love for the soil has, from early life, diverted his attention to agriculture. He engaged in farm work in boyhood quite extensively from preference, and while a student,
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WILLIAM F. WESTGATE.
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bought a piece of land for himself which he cultivated, and has continued purchasing from time to time, till he has now about 1,000 acres in all, and is one of the largest land holders, as well as one of the most success- ful farmers in his section of the state. He cultivates from 150 to 200 acres in all, and cuts 150 tons of hay per annum. He has been extensively engaged in stock- raising and dairying, keeping from twenty to fifty cows, the milk from which has of late been disposed of at the creamery. He has usually about twenty horses, includ- ing some fine specimens of trotting stock. He has also raised swine extensively, having some years as many as sixty head, and has found the business profitable.
In improving his land, his object has been to get it in condition for long-continued fertility, then seeding to grass for a period of twenty years. It is largely natural grass land, and he has sometimes cut thirty tons of hay from ten acres. He raises quite an amount of corn and potatoes, and has made something of a specialty of barley, growing ten acres in a season, sometimes, sell- ing a large amount carefully selected for seed.
He has erected a fine large barn, 45x100 feet, two large sheds, and a horse barn, 40x60, upon his farm, which is situated a short distance from the village, and recently moved a house upon the same, which is fitted for occupancy by farm help; but resides, himself, with his brothers, Tyler and George H., the former now and for many years a judge of probate, and a sister, in the old family house in the village, which has recently been extensively remodeled and improved.
Nothwithstanding his love for, and attention to, agricul- ture, Mr. Westgate does a large amount of law business, with insurance, conveyancing, and other office work, and is also extensively engaged as a civil engineer and surveyor, and has always been prominent in public
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affairs. He is an active Republican, and has served many years as a member of the state committee of his party, and chairman of the county committee. He has served many years on the school-board, of which he has been chairman and treasurer; was a member of the legislature of 1883, defeating Samuel B. Page, was register of probate from 1884 to 1890, and in June, 1895, was appointed judge of the Haverhill municipal court, which position he stills holds. He is a Knight of Pythias, and a charter member and the first overseer of Haverhill Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
WILLIAM T. WENTWORTH,
DOVER.
The subject of this sketch is a descendant of the emi- grant Elder William Wentworth, who came from Eng- land and settled in Exeter, N. H., about the year 1638. in the following order : William1, Ephraim2, Ephraim3, Ephraim+, Jonathan5, Stephen6, William (Trickey). He is the son of Stephen and Lois (Trickey) Wentworth, born at Hiram, Maine, April 11, 1832.
When a young man he came to Dover, and was engaged in various occupations. He first worked on a farm, then as a teamster. He assisted in building the Granite State Trotting park, and the Portsmouth & Con- cord railroad from Candia to Manchester, and was also employed in the construction of the Wilmington & Dela- ware railroad. Subsequently, he was for some time engaged in lumbering and pail manufacturing, but finally settled upon the farm known as the .. Long Hill Farm" in Dover, four miles from the city proper, con- taining one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, which he now successfully cultivates.
His specialty is dairying, and he now sends his milk
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to the Boston market. He is a believer in ensilage, and annually fills a large silo, which he considers one of the most profitable adjuncts of the farm of to-day.
November 12, 1856, Mr. Wentworth married Miss Lucinda Phipps McDonald. They have one son, Fred Wesley Wentworth, who has entered upon a successful career as an architect at Paterson, New Jersey.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth were char- ter members of Co- checo Grange, and have always labored faithfully for its suc- cess. They have both been honored officially in the subordinate and the Pomona Granges. Mr. Wentworth acted for many years as the treasurer of Cocheco Grange, and Mrs. Wentworth has been for two years its mas- WILLIAM T. WENTWORTH. ter. He is a member of Wecohamet lodge of Odd Fellows, and Wonalancet Tribe of Red Men of Dover.
Mr. Wentworth has always taken an active interest in agricultural fairs, has been a frequent exhibitor of stock, fruit, and vegetables, and has frequently secured first prizes. He was for seven years superintendent of the Strafford County farm, and made many permanent improvements upon the same. He is a Republican in politics, and has frequently been honored officially by his fellow-citizens. He has served as selectman, councilman, alderman, and represented his ward in the
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RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM T. WENTWORTH, DOVER.
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legislature in 1868-1869. In brief, it may be said that Mr. Wentworth is a good example of the New England farmer-progressive, successful, and respected in the community in which he resides.
JOHN B. BAKER,
Bow.
Five miles from the state house in Concord, in the town of Bow, about half a mile west from the Merrimack river, is the Baker farm, originally settled by Joseph Baker, son of a famous colonial surveyor of the same name, descending to his son James, and subsequently to Aaron W., son of the latter, who married Nancy Dustin, a descendant of the famous heroine of the Indian tragedy at the mouth of the Contoocook. This farm contains about 125 acres of land, with 100 acres of outlands. It was on this place, it may be stated incidentally, that the celebrated Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian sci- ence, was born.
Aaron W. Baker was a thrifty, industrious farmer. He had four sons, two of whom are living. The elder son, John B., pursued the same calling, while Henry M., the younger, graduated from Dartmouth, studied law, followed his profession in Washington with financial success, engaged in politics, and served four years in congress as representative of the second New Hamp- shire district.
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