USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire men. A collection of biographical sketches, with portraits, of sons and residents of the state who have become known in commercial, professional, and political life > 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 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
130
COL. EDWARD HARRISON GILMAN.
F DWARD HARRISON GILMAN, the son of Joseph Taylor Gilman and Mary Elizabeth Gray, was born in Exeter, May 13. 1855. He was educated in the schools of Exeter and in the Chandler Scientific department of Dartmouth college, graduating in 1876. From 1879 to 1882 he was employed at Albany, N. Y., in various capacities in the offices of the Boston & Albany railroad. From Albany he went to Boston, where he became a dealer in mill supplies, and was thus engaged until 1887, when he became interested in the Somersworth Machine company of Dover, and was made treasurer of the corporation, a position that he has since retained, adding to his duties as treasurer those of manager. Under his direction and supervision the business of the corporation has been greatly increased, and not only has it outgrown its original but it has also absorbed the business of other concerns, and stands today in the front rank of like institutions in New England. Aside from his business career Colonel Gilman has been prominent in public life, first by his service upon the staff of Governor Bell, where he served as aide-de-camp with the rank of colonel. In 188; he was a member of the legislature from Exeter, and was promoted in 1887 to the state senate, serving in both bodies with credit. In 1888 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention, and in that same year was member of the executive committee of the Republican state commit- tee from Rockingham county, adding to his party service another term in the same position during the campaign of 1890. Colonel Gilman. the bearer of an honored name, has allowed this heritage to lose none of its lustre. His own efforts have been rewarded with a success suffi- cient to have made him prominent, and when this is added to his family record it will be by no means the dullest of its pages.
131
HON. LYCURGUS PITMAN.
ON of an honored sire, and not a whit less sturdy and honored S himself, Hon. Lycurgus Pitman, of North Conway, was born in Bartlett, April 9, 1848, the son of Hon. George W. M. Pitman. He attained his education, as did so many of the prominent sons of New Hampshire, in the common schools, and himself wielded the birch and directed the studies of the rising generation for many terms of school. Entering upon a business career at North Conway, he has pushed forward steadily, not only in his own line of endeavor but has embarked successfully in many issues calling for enterprise, public spirit, and sagacity. In politics Mr. Pitman has always been a Demo- crat and for twenty years has held a place in the councils of his party. In 1880 he was a delegate to the national convention and in 1887 was a member of the state senate from the Second district. In 1889 he was a member of the constitutional convention. Mr. Pitman's enter- prise has already been spoken of. He is one of the projectors of the North Conway & Mount Kearsarge railway and is a director and clerk of that corporation. He was one of the promoters of the North Conway system of water-works and is manager and treasurer of the company owning the property. In connection with the work of the state board of trade Mr. Pitman has been of incalculable service upon important committees, and in the work of developing the summer resort business of New Hampshire he stands second to no man. He has lent no idle hand to any enterprise, his whole soul has entered into the work that he has endeavored to accomplish, and the vigor of his labor has been rewarded by the measure of its results. In the development of the East Side mountain region Mr. Pitman has been especially active, and particularly so in his own town. As president of the North Con- way board of trade he has led the way to municipal improvements that have been prominent and alluring additions to the many attractions of that beautiful town.
132
HON. EDMUND ERSKINE TRUESDELL.
E DMUND ERSKINE TRUESDELL, superintendent and pay- master of the China, Webster, and l'embroke mills at Suncook, is one of the stalwarts of New Hampshire. Strong in all the points that go to make up a noble and successful manhood, he is admired for his outspoken opinions, liberal views, and unfaltering friendships. A man of earnest convictions, he never hesitates to stand up and be counted in defense of those convictions. Of Scotch ancestry, he has all the te- nacity of purpose of that hardy race. The architect of his own fortune, he has builded grandly and well. Generous, public spirited, honest, and with no hesitating notions of right and wrong, his is a strong char- acter, well rounded in all its parts. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Boyden) Truesdell, and was born in Jewett City, Conn .. March 3, 1845. Banking on no other capital than a common-school education and a vigorous constitution, he worked his way from the humblest beginning as a boy in a cotton mill to the position of superintendent of three corporations, employing 2,000 operatives. As has been well said by a leading newspaper of the state, the man who at the age of thirty- two had worked his way from a poor boy, earning a living selling newspapers at a profit of one-half a cent each, to the control of three great manufacturing corporations " does not require a certificate of ability." He has not only been appreciated by his employers, but by his fellow-townsmen and fellow-citizens of the state. He was town treasurer of Pembroke for four years, from 1878 to 1882. He was a member of the lower branch of the New Hampshire legislature in 1879 and 1880; and state senator in 1887 and 1888. Mr. Truesdell belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is past master of Jewell lodge. member of Trinity Royal Arch chapter, Horace Chase council, R. and S. M .. Mount Horeb commandery at Concord. He is a member of the supreme council, having taken all the Scottish rites up to the Thirty- third degree.
133
HON. JOHN C. PEARSON.
H ON. JOHN C. PEARSON was born at West Boscawen, May 25, 1835, the son of Nathan and Eliza (Couch) Pearson. He was educated in the district, village, and select schools, at Kimball Union academy, Meriden, and in the Merrimack Normal institute at Reed's Ferry. He was born and reared a farmer, and was occupied in that pursuit and as a wool-grower until 1871. His grandfather was one of the pioneers in the settlement of the town, and one of the first to introduce . Spanish merino sheep into the state, and his son and grandson continued to breed them on the same farm until 1874. From 1871 to 1876 he was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Webster, and since that date has lived at Penacook, to which place he removed for the purpose of giving his children better educational privileges. He had served the town of Webster as selectman for three years, and represented that town in the legislature in 1871 and 1872 ; has served as deputy sheriff, county commissioner, moderator, and selectman of Boscawen ten years; representative in the legislature in 1887, and member of the state senate from the Ninth district in 1889. In all of these official positions, coming to him with successively increased honor, Mr. Pearson has exhibited marked traits of courageous honesty. As a member of the legislature he was frank-spoken in his views, and the cause that he espoused found in him a never-failing friend. He has won the confidence of all who have been associated with him in any capacity and has known the respect and esteem of varying constituencies. He is a man of great public spirit and has clearly evinced it in his advocacy of enterprises for the benefit of the community in which he lives, and notably, by his activity in procuring for the village of Penacook its present abundant and pure water-supply. It is not enough of him to say that he has lived a good life, for he has impressed it upon others and has made his influence speak for the best in every field in which he has been found.
134
HON. CHARLES TRACY MEANS.
H ON. CHARLES TRACY MEANS was born in Manchester, January 20, 1855, and is the son of William Gordon Means and Martha Allen. He was educated in the common schools at Andover, Mass., where as also in Boston he has resided as a youth. His present position, paymaster of the Manchester Locomotive Works, he has held for several years past, his connection with that corporation following naturally by reason of his father's interest in the company. In the city of Manchester Mr. Means is justly ranked as one of her most noble men. In social life he stands without a peer, in politics he has received frequent and ample honor, in business life, by reason of the importance of his position, he takes a prominent stand. Mr. Means in 1883 was a member of the New Hampshire house of representatives and in 1889 sat in the state senate, his services in those two bodies being marked by intelligent application to legislative duty and by faithful con- sideration of the needs of his constituents. In 1892 he was chosen a delegate at large to the Republican national convention at Minneapolis, yet these offices do not mark the limits of his political activity, for as the counsellor of his party and as a liberal contributor to its success. Mr. Means is among the most active and prominent of the men of Man- chester. One of the most charming of men personally. Mr. Means's friendship embraces hundreds. The unaffected modesty of his bearing stamps him a true gentleman, while the frank and open warmth of his friendship marks the genuine character of the man. Alert and vigorous, he occupies a commanding position on an eminence in life, entrenched by the vigor of his intellect and sagacity, secured in a position meriting honor and esteem.
135
.
HON. WILLIAM S. CARTER.
W ILLIAM S. CARTER was born in Warner, September 28, 1842, the son of William Carter, Jr., and Hannah Badger. He was educated at the common schools and at Henniker academy, and entered Dartmouth college in 1862. In August of that year, how- ever, he enlisted in Company D of the Eleventh New Hampshire vol- unteers, and finished his college course in the army, serving under Col. Walter Harriman, by whom he was appointed regimental commissary, and was mustered out May 27, 1865. At the close of the war he went to Lebanon and took charge of the store of his uncle, Henry W. Carter, with whom he remained for five years. In 1877 he formed a partner- ship with Col. Frank C. Churchill, in the manufacture of working- men's goods, employing hundreds of hands and keeping corps of travelling agents constantly upon the road, and maintaining a wholesale office in Boston. Mr. Carter has been a tower of strength in the com- munity in which he resides, while his clear, careful judgment and his keen business insight have caused him to be frequently called to positions of responsibility. He is a director in the First National Bank and of the Lebanon Savings Bank. He is president of the Business Men's asso- ciation of Lebanon and of the Lebanon Electric Light and Power company. In 1890 he was appointed state auditor, serving until 1892. In 1890 Mr. Carter was chosen member of the state senate and served his constituents with remarkable zeal during the session of 1891. Con- stantly in his seat. the course of legislation was closely marked by him, and his voice was never heard in the senate chamber without carrying with it the weight of influence springing from solidity and honesty. Mr. Carter is a Mason and for more than twenty-five years has been a member of Franklin lodge and Sullivan commandery. He is also a member of James P. Berry post, G. A. R.
136
HON. DEXTER RICHARDS.
I Y the eighth American generation of a good old English family, Hon. Dexter Richards was born in Newport, September 5, 1818. one of the eight children of Seth Richards. His youth was spent in the schools of Newport and Lebanon, where, under the tuition of Professor Edmund R. Peaslee, he enjoyed two terms in the high school. Leav- ing school he embarked in business at Newport with his father, contin- uing there until 1853, when Richards & Son became interested in a flannel mill, which passing from father to son is still conducted with increasing success. Aside from the demands made upon him in the conduct of this business, Mr. Richards has become embarked in many financial enterprises of great extent and variety. He was one of the foremost projectors of the building of the Concord & Claremont railroad. and through his instrumentality the wires of the Western Union Telegraph company were brought to Newport. The First National Bank of New- port and the Newport Savings Bank owe their inception to him, and he is a director in the Eastern Railroad in New Hampshire, of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance company, of the Concord Street railway, and of the West End Street railway corporation in Boston. His benevolence has been wide and deserving, a scholarship at Dartmouth college, bene- factions to the Kimball Union academy at Meriden, to the Congre- gational church at Newport, to the Orphans' Home at Franklin. Abbott academy at Andover, Mass., and the erection of the beautiful Richards free library at Newport are instances of his generosity. In public life Mr. Richards has held the offices in the gift of his town, in 1865, 1866, and 1870 representing Newport in the legislature. In 1871 and 1872 he was a member of the governor's council, in 1876 of the constitu- tional convention, and in 1887 sat in the state senate. Mr. Richards is a widely successful New Hampshire man, pushing forward, not without obstacles, to high eminence in business and social circles.
I37
HON. SAMUEL E. PAINE.
AMUEL E. PAINE, fifty-seven years old, a native of Sweden, Me., S and for a half century a resident of Coos county, is one of the most prominent business men in all the north country, where his entire com- mercial career, with the exception of five years in Pennsylvania, has been spent. Mr. Paine was born in Sweden, Me., and for twenty-six years was a resident of Milan, where, after securing a common-school educa- tion, he embarked in business and afterward removed to Berlin, where he has been an influential factor in the development of that thriving, hustling, almost western town, and in all the various movements which have gone forward to make Berlin's prosperity what it is. The national bank, real estate improvements, educational progress-all claim him as a friend and coadjutor. Mr. Paine is not without honor in political as well as commercial circles. He has served Berlin in almost every town office. In 1877 and in 1885 he represented that constituency in the house of representatives, and in 1887 he was a member of the state sen- ate. In all these positions Mr. Paine served with credit, his record being that of the business man called into affairs of state-sagacious, honest, persevering.
138
COL. RICHARD M. SCAMMON.
R ICHARD M. SCAMMON was born at Stratham, December 6, 1859, and is the youngest son of Richard and Abigail ( Batchelder) Scammon. He was educated at the Stratham public schools, Exeter high school, and Cornell university, and has since resided in his native town, where he is one of the largest real estate owners. His integrity and ability have given him a high place in the esteem of the community and he has filled an active and honorable part in the affairs of his state. He was elected town treasurer when twenty-one years old, and has since served as superintendent of schools, moderator, and was elected chairman of the board of selectmen but declined to act. He was a member of the house in 1885 and 1886. He is a Democrat, both by inheritance and conviction, and is one of the recognized younger leaders of the party, has served several years as chairman of the town Democratic committee, and has been a member of the state committee and secretary of the county committee for six years and done effective work on the stump. He was the unanimous choice of the nominating convention of his senatorial district in 1890. and was elected by a flat- tering majority largely ahead of his ticket, especially in his own town. and was the youngest member of the senate of that year. He served ten years in the New Hampshire National Guard, enlisting in Company D, First regiment, in 1882, and was successively promoted corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant of the company, captain and aide on the brigade staff, and lieutenant-colonel of the First regiment, holding the last posi- tion from 1886 till his resignation in 1892. Company E, First regiment, adopted the name of Scammon Rifles in honor of his services. Colonel Scammon was appointed by Governor Sawyer as the state representative on the staff of General Schofield at the Washington centennial in New York city, May, 1889. He has been an interested student of the local history of his section and is a member of two historical societies.
139
HON. GEORGE A. CUMMINGS.
H ON. GEORGE A. CUMMINGS, of Concord, is descended from a rugged parentage and ancestry, his family dating back to early colonial history. He was born in Acworth, June 13, 1833. His education was secured in the public schools of Acworth and the South Acworth academy. He then moved to Franklin, where in company with his brother he formed a co-partnership in the marble business that has since existed, though the firm removed from Franklin more than thirty years ago, and is now located at Concord in its own block, and covers with its product nearly all the New England states, and having branch shops at Pittsfield and Franklin. Mr. Cummings has found time, aside from caring for his own growing business, to become interested in many public and private enterprises. He has served as a trustee of the Merrimack County Savings Bank and of the Orphans' Home at Frank- lin ; and is a director and member of the executive committee of the Concord Street railway. He is also president of the Concord Shoe Factory association and, with his son, Frank G. Cummings, has exten- sive property interests at Haverhill, Mass. Mr. Cummings has been a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been honored by that body in New Hampshire with all the gifts of official position that it could bestow, and is now vice-president of the Odd Fellows' Home, and president of the Odd Fellows' Hall association. Naturally so energetic a man would be called into public life, and we find Mr. Cummings receiving civic honors at the hands of his fellow- citizens in great abundance. He was twice elected to the board of aldermen from his ward. He was honored with three years in the mayoralty of Concord. He was twice sent by his associates to the house of representatives, and in 1890 he was chosen a member of the New Hampshire senate from the Concord district. In all of these posi- tions Mr. Cummings was a leader.
140
HON. JOHN G. TALLANT.
H ON. JOHN G. TALLANT was born in East Concord, March 22, 1846, and has always resided upon the homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools of his native village and at the academy at New London, and has given his attention since leaving school to agricultural pursuits, developing later the breeding of fine Jersey cattle, his herd, the "Crystal Spring," being reckoned among the best in New England and having been decorated time and again with the much desired " blue ribbon." In the concerns of the community Mr. Tallant has taken an important part, and has been especially active in the political field, having served as selectman, member of the school board, assessor, councilman, alderman, and member of the legislature. In 1890 he was the candidate of his party for the state senate, and was elected by a large majority, serving through the session of 1891 with great credit, his legislative record being marked with a conspicuous honesty of purpose and frank avowal of position. Mr. Tallant's interest in agriculture and his prominence in that pursuit, led him to be selected in 1891 as trustee of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, a position of great importance at that time, because of the impending removal of the institution from Hanover to Durham. To the duties of this office Mr. Tallant has given marked attention, and has been largely instrumental in the reforms that have been set on foot with regard to the management of the institution. To him must be given the credit of having aroused his associates on the board to the necessity for more advanced ground in the field of agricultural educa- tion, and he has labored unceasingly to secure the adoption of measures of still greater benefit to the institution. Mr. Tallant in all his dealings with men has been conspicuous for his outspoken honesty, and to this. perhaps as to no other characteristic, he owes the measure of his advancement.
141
HON. JACOB B. WHITTEMORE.
H ON. JACOB B. WHITTEMORE was born in Hillsborough and has always resided in that town with the exception of the years from 1877 to 1880, when he lived in Antrim upon the Whittemore homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools, at Frances- town academy, and at Phillips Exeter academy, and his life in Hillsbor- ough has been full of activity. He has held many public positions, serving as superintendent of schools for three years, as town clerk for two years, and was secretary of the Democratic state committee from 1880 to 1882. He held a commission as lieutenant of the Carter Guards, Hillsborough, and was promoted to be captain, then paymaster of the Second regiment of the New Hampshire National Guard with the rank of major. In 1883 he was a member of the house of representatives and from 1885 to 1889 was a United States post-office inspector. In 1891 he was a member of the state senate and in that body served with faithful assiduity. Mr. Whittemore is a member of Harmony lodge of Masons at Hillsborough, of Woods chapter at Henniker, and of Mount Horeb commandery, Knights Templar, at Concord. Mr. Whittemore is one of New Hampshire's most popular men. Having been brought by virtue of business and official relations into contact and acquaintance with almost every community in New Hampshire, his genial character has readily made friends for him and his friendships are as extensive as his acquaintance, and that covers the entire state. To his party he has been of valuable service in many hotly contested campaigns, both as a candidate and as an officer of the canvass, yet his political activity, however vigorous, has not resulted in personal animosity, his genial good nature discounting attack and disarming criticism. In public positions Mr. Whittemore has been equally successful, displaying the same qualities of tact and good humor. His advancement has resulted not only to his own benefit but has been a source of gratification to the hundreds who have known him and admired him as a friend.
142
HON. SAMUEL D. FELKER.
H ON. SAMUEL D. FELKER was born in Rochester, April 16. 1859, and is the son of William Il. Felker, a wealthy farmer residing in the village of Gonic, where Mr. Felker's boyhood was spent. He was educated in the public schools of Rochester, at New Hampton institute, and at Dartmouth college, whence he was graduated with high honors in 1882, being one of three brothers who graduated from that institution in three successive years. He studied law in Dover with Hon. Joshua G. Hall, and at the Boston university law school. from which he graduated in 1887 and was admitted to the bars of New Hamp- shire and Massachusetts in the same year. At the law school Mr. Felker took the three years course in one year and received his degree " cum magna laude," ranking among the highest in his class. Ile also stood at the head of the class of candidates for the New Hampshire bar and began immediately the practice of his profession in Rochester. In 1889 he was a member of the constitutional convention from Rochester and in 1890 was nominated and clected to the state senate from the Somersworth district, after a most exciting campaign. In the senate Mr. Felker took a prominent part in the deliberations of the session. He was a member of the judiciary committee and also of the joint com- mittee on the revision of the laws. The important measures of the session were ardently championed by him, and his entire legislative course was marked by a freedom of mind untrammelled by political con- siderations and characterized solely by an earnest desire to labor for what his conscience deemed the right. In 1891, upon the incorporation of the city of Rochester, Mr. Felker was made his party's candidate for mayor, and the vote that he received at the polls was large and gratify- ing. In 1892 he was his party's candidate for county solicitor of Strafford county, and again the support of his friends was his in full measure.
1 43
HON. GEORGE R. ROWE.
H ON. GEORGE R. ROWE, the son of Robert Rowe and Sally Sinclair, was born February 22, 1849, in Brentwood, and in that town has always made his home. He was educated at the public schools of his native town and at the academies at Kingston and Tilton. When he became of age he entered into a partnership with his father and brothers in the firm of Robert Rowe & Sons, manufacturers of carriage woodwork, and since the death of his father in 1882, the business has been continued under the name of Robert Rowe's Sons, employing a large number of workmen. In politics Mr. Rowe was always a Republican, and for several years was town clerk of Brentwood, and was selectman for two years, being chairman of the board during one term. In 1889 he was a member of the house of representatives and in the following session of the legislature held a seat in the senate from the Rockingham district. Mr. Rowe was married, July 3, 1870, to Betsey J., daughter of Lewis B. and Mary Robbins Gordon, and has two sons, George Russell, a graduate of the Manchester Commercial college, and Robert G. In religion Mr. Rowe is a Congregationalist ; he is a member of Gideon lodge of Masons, of St. Albans chapter at Exeter, and of De Witt Clinton commandery at Portsmouth. Mr. Rowe is a thoroughly reliable man. In business circles the name of his firm has been synonymous with the utmost honesty. In official life Mr. Rowe has displayed the same characteristics. Thoroughly com- panionable, he has hosts of friends, and all who know him know him only to respect him for the admirable qualities that have made his life what it is.
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.