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 22
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289
GEORGE T. CRAWFORD.
G EORGE T. CRAWFORD was born in Alexandria, December 20, 1828, the son of Col. William Crawford and Joanna Sleeper. He was educated at Hebron academy, at New Hampshire Conference seminary, and at Andover academy. He was a farmer until 1865, and has been a surveyor of land since his boyhood. In 1854 and in 1865 he represented his town in the legislature. In 1856 he removed to Bristol and engaged in the flour and grain business, remaining there until 1872. Since then he has been en- gaged in the lumber business. During the years of his residence in Grafton county, Mr. Crawford was honored by his fellow-citizens by an election as treasurer of the county in 1868 and 1869, and as county com- missioner from 1870 to 1877. In 1880 he removed to Boston, where he has since resided, being engaged as agent of the Fall Mountain Paper company of Bellows Falls, Vt. Mr. Crawford still retains his interest in the state of his birth that was for many years his abiding-place. Deeply interested in all of its concerns, the years of his residence in another state have not dulled his perception of New Hampshire's progress. Mr. Crawford is keenly alive to all that goes on in New Hampshire. The recent movements with relation to the preservation of the state forests has awakened in Mr. Crawford a lively sympathy and has won from him a hearty encouragement, yet he has believed that to nature may be left the work of repair that cannot be safely taken up by man. Mr. Crawford is large and broad in his perceptions. A man of parts, he has acquitted himself with dignity in many positions requiring varying degrees of skill and aptitude. A sound, earnest, and unfailing common sense has characterized his career, and a rigid, incorruptible honesty has marked his course. Mr. Crawford has impressed himself upon those who know him as a man of force, a man of weight in argu- ment, and of power in example.
290
JAMES N. LAUDER.
F AITHFUL persistence in an honorable calling has certainly led to distinguished rewards in the case of James N. Lauder. He was born in Topsham, Vt., May 29, 1838, the son of George and Jean (Laird) Lauder, and was educated in the public schools of Vermont. When but fifteen years of age he began his life-long career of railroad service. from whose toils and dangers he has never shrunk, and the lau- rels of whose success he has repeatedly plucked. In 1865 he was appointed master mechanic of the Northern railroad, and held that posi- tion until 1881. For the eight months ensuing he was superintendent of motive power on the Boston & Lowell railroad, and subsequently held the same position for a year on the Mexican Central system. Dur- ing the last ten years he has been a valued member of the staff of the Old Colony road, serving as its superintendent of rolling stock. Mr. Lauder's residence is in Ward Four, Concord, and he has creditably represented that portion of the Capital city in the state legislature. He served as one of the judges of awards in the transportation depart- ment of the World's Columbian exposition, having received that appointment from the fair commissioners.
291
PROF. SYLVESTER WATERHOUSE.
A MONG the most distinguished educators who have gone from New England is Sylvester Waterhouse, who was born in Bar- rington, September 15, 1830. Disqualified by the loss of a leg for mechanical pursuits, to which his natural tastes inclined him, he was obliged to follow a literary career. He was fitted for college at Phillips Exeter academy, and graduated from Harvard in 1853, where he took honors in Greek. In 1855, he received the degree of LL. B. from the Harvard Law school, and was soon after appointed professor of Latin . in Antioch college, Ohio. In 1857 he took charge of the Greek department in Washington university, St. Louis, and has just com- pleted thirty-six years of professional service in that institution. Pro- fessor Waterhouse entered the university soon after its inauguration, and is now the senior member of its faculty. During the war he was an earnest advocate of the Union, and, though incapacitated for mili- tary service, was a voluminous and effective writer for the cause. He has always been deeply interested in the development of the West, and has actively cooperated in many of the movements for the advancement of that section. In 1867 he declined an appointment as superintendent of public schools for Missouri. Since 1870 he has held many impor- tant trusts, including official positions in the Missouri Bureau of Geology and Mines, the St. Louis Board of Trade, the National Railroad con- vention, and the Mississippi River Improvement convention. He was a United States commissioner to the Paris exposition of 1878, honor- ary commissioner to the New Orleans World's fair, and to the Ameri- can exposition in London in 1887, and to the Nicaragua Canal conven- tions. In the latter he was selected to speak for the state of Mis- souri. His labors in behalf of Washington university have been no insignificant element of its prosperity. The breadth of his learning, the versatility of his talents, his rare practical judgment, and his tire- less energy have been potent factors in the growth of this institution.
292
ALONZO SHAW WEED.
T HE subject of this sketch, Alonzo Shaw Weed, was born in Sand- wich, March 13, 1827, the son of Elisha and Mary Ann (Shaw) Weed. He attended the district schools of his native town, and the academy at " Sandwich Corner." In 1844 he began life for himself, as clerk in a mercantile house at Bangor, Me., and continued in that posi- tion for eight years. Having thoroughly mastered the principles of trade, he set up in business for himself, and during his mercantile life of twenty years maintained a reputation as one of Bangor's successful and honorable business men. In 1871 he changed his residence from Ban- gor to Newton, Mass., having been elected by the Wesleyan association to the responsible position (which he now holds) of publisher and business manager of Zion's Herald, Boston, which is the oldest Meth- odist newspaper in the world, and is the special organ of New Eng- land Methodism. The financial success of that sterling religious publication, Zion's Herald, has been largely due to the fostering care. and efficient and careful business management of its present publisher. Mr. Weed has always been actively interested in moral and religious and educational affairs, and has done much work in these lines which does not appear upon the surface. Conscientious and steadfast in his political convictions, he styles himself " always a Republican and a firm believer in the principles of that party." Among his public offices are : Trustee and treasurer of Bucksport (Me.) seminary for twelve years : alderman and common councilman in city government of Bangor, Me .. seven years ; councilman and school committeeman of the city of New- ton, Mass., five years. Has been treasurer of the New England Educa- tion society over fourteen years ; also one of the directors of the Home Savings bank, Little Wanderers' Home, and Young Men's Christian association, Boston, for eight or ten years past.
293
JAMES FLYNN.
J AMES FLYNN was born in Portsmouth, January 6, 1847, but has been identified with Boston commercial circles since 1870, and for sixteen years has been engaged in the manufacture of architectural ironwork in that city, utilizing complete facilities, and giving employ- ment to many men and manufacturing prominent specialties, among them being an invention of his own, a patent folding fire-escape ladder, which has had the honor of being adopted for use in many of the prin- cipal hotels and business blocks of the large cities. Mr. Flynn is at the head of a prosperous business house, and his prosperity is in no small measure due to the sturdy integrity that he took away with him from New Hampshire as a part of his birthright. The talents given to him have been entered upon, and through years of faithful, con- scientious endeavor, he has pushed his way forward and upward to prosperity and success. He does not forget his native state : frequently he returns to renew the acquaintances of his boyhood, he keeps closely in touch with the scenes of his youth, is well versed in the events that are daily transpiring in New Hampshire, and holds through the varying routine of a busy man's life his youthful affection for the state that gave him birth, and that claims him now as one of her own though he has gone out from among her citizens. Among the business men of Bos- ton, Mr. Flynn ranks as a solid and conservative merchant. He con- trols a special line of business, and with that is satisfied ; yet his rewards have not been insignificant, and he daily is adding to the measure of his success and daily notes the increase that comes from the exercise of honest judgment, careful supervision, and unswerving integrity.
294
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5
CHARLES A. LANGLEY.
T HE mechanic who wins honorable place deserves notice equally with the winner in commercial and professional life. Charles Albion Langley, the oldest son and child of Moses and Sarah (Gear) Langley, was born at Dover, in March, 1850. He is now among the leading residents of Washington, D. C. Mr. Langley received his early education in the public schools, and left home at sixteen to make his way in life. He worked in New London, Conn., and Brookline, Mass., at anything that offered, and at nineteen years of age entered his apprenticeship as a carpenter at the latter place. Worked as a journeyman at Cambridge and Brookline, Mass., until 1875, when he came to Washington, where for four years he was still a journeyman. though most of the time acting as foreman. In 1879, Mr. Langley formed a partnership with a fellow-workman, and the firm rapidly forged to the front as builders of fine private houses. The partnership ceased in 1889. Among the houses built under Mr. Langley's super- vision are those of Chief Justice Richardson, United States court of claims, the house of Senator Hearst of California, that of Capt. A. C. Tyler, which is on the site of the house in which Harrison's secretary of the navy, A. T. Tracy, met the horrible loss of his wife and daugh- ter through fire, and the Army and Navy club building, by far the handsomest club house in Washington. Considerable of this work has been done on the percentage plan, and such is Mr. Langley's standing for probity that he has never been required to give bond or had his accounts questioned. Recognizing the value of fraternity and sociability among working-men, Mr. Langley has always been an earn- est promoter of social organizations. He has filled all the chairs in the Odd Fellows lodge of which he is a member, as well as those of the encampment. He was one of the original nine members of the Mysterious club, an organization to promote social relations among business men and their families, which now numbers 260 members.
295
FRED P. VIRGIN.
FRED P. VIRGIN was born at East Concord, January 25, 1853, the son of Rufus Virgin and Mary A. Stevens. He was educated in the schools of East Concord and pursued an academic course in the Penacook academy and at Pinkerton academy, Derry. At sixteen years of age he began life for himself, and at that time went to Boston and entered the employ of Martin L. Hall & Co., wholesale grocers. For three years he worked in the store of this firm, and at the age of nineteen engaged as a travelling salesman for them and followed that vocation for ten years. For the past twelve years he has been a member of the firm. Mr. Virgin won a rapid and deserved promotion by the display of the true qualities of a New Hampshire character. With genuine enthusiasm he began work while almost a mere boy, and with pluck, with persistency, with stoutness of heart, and with honesty he faithfully observed the rules of mercantile life. Studying his employers' advantage no less than his own, he came naturally to the success that awaited him. Mr. Virgin's life has been an active one, yet his activity has met its reward. The cares of his business have demanded his entire attention, yet the acquaintances that he has cultivated bear witness to his worth. The years of his life upon the road have quickened his per- ceptions, and the daily calls of his present labor cause them to be exerted to the utmost. Vigorous, alert, and progressive, though young in years, he has achieved a measure of success that would do credit to the exer- tions of a lifetime.
296
HENRY A. EMERSON.
H ENRY A. EMERSON, of Henniker, has risen to a position of success in the business world in New Hampshire through his own efforts. He was born at Concord, May 1, 1837, the child of Fen- ner H. Emerson and Clarinda (Baker) Emerson. He was educated in the common schools, and in the academy at Franklin, and at Fisherville academy. His family was poor, and at eleven years of age he went away from his home to work upon a farm, laboring also in a shingle mill and cotton mills, at Franklin, Fisherville, and Manchester, until he was seventeen years old, when he went to Pepperell, Mass., to work in a paper mill, and has followed that calling ever since,-beginning at the bottom and working his way up to the head without assistance. After mas- tering the details of the paper trade, Mr. Emerson went to Henniker in 1871, where he began business with the Contoocook Valley Paper com- pany, of which corporation he is now president and treasurer, having held that position since 1886. Mr. Emerson in his business career has mastered all the essentials : by care and attention to his business he has achieved an enviable reputation in the commercial world ; and among those who come daily in contact with him, Mr. Emerson is ranked high in esteem. His only official position he held in the 'zos, when for two years he was a representative to the legislature from Hen- niker. This lack of political honor, however, is due to Mr. Emerson's own desire, since he never sought without receiving. Mr. Emerson's life has been purely commercial : beginning with nothing, he has won much ; without influence, he has exerted his own influence ; beginning without capital, through the capital of honesty, integrity, and fidelity. the capital of every New Hampshire boy, Mr. Emerson has entered upon his talent and improved it.
297
ALBERT C. LORD.
A LBERT C. LORD was born at Tilton, July 30, 1852, and has always resided in that town. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the trade of watchmaker and jeweller. When nineteen years old he engaged in that business for himself, which he continued till 1887. In 1875 he, in company with his brother, began the manufacture of optical goods, under the firm name of Lord Brothers January 1, 1893, the new firm of the Lord Bros. Mfg. Co. was organized-a stock company with a capital of $50,000, of which he is president, and which now manufactures and supplies to the trade by travelling salesmen an annual output of $75,000. This business has been largely built up through Mr. Lord's personal industry and oversight. The careful train- ing which he experienced in his early days gave him a practical knowl- edge of the business which has stood him in good stead in his enlarged relations ; to this he has added, moreover, a personal acquaintance with the trade which he aims to supply, and from this he has drawn his highest incentive to perfection. The magnitude of his firm's operations, the extent of their sales, and the breadth of territory covered by their agents, has made him through his wares known far and wide, and by those wares known as a sterling, upright, honorable, business man. This is high praise, but to it must be added the record of the esteem in which Mr. Lord is held at home by his employés and business asso- ciates.
298
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WALTER PITMAN.
N EW Hampshire's progress in the next few years must inevitably be to a large extent northward. Coos and Carroll counties have long been comparatively undeveloped. Only recently have their latent resources in mountain, stream, forest, and meadow been to any extent made productive. Now, however, the movement has fairly begun, and a genuine western "boom" exists at many points in the north country. It is to the beautiful scenery of this part of the state that New Hampshire owes her title " the Switzerland of America," and it is the yearly influx of visitors from the four corners of the globe that has largely contributed to give Coos and Carroll their present position in the line of progress. The north land, however, has been remarkably fortunate of late in the character of its leaders. Like all pioneers, they have been strong, bold, and aggressive. But they have been more than that. They have united the westerner's enterprise with the Yankee's con- servative prudence. They have built broadly, but firmly and well, and future generations in northern New Hampshire will have just cause to remember the wisdom and foresight of the men of to-day. A typical member of the younger class of these leaders is Walter Pitman of Bart- lett. He was born December 25, 1855, the son of Joseph and Sarah Charles Pitman of Bartlett, and received an education in the public schools of that town, which he has since materially supplemented by travel, observation, and experience. The measure of confidence with which he is regarded by his fellow-citizens, is shown by the fact that he served as selectman of the town in 1885, and in 1887 was chosen repre- sentative to the state legislature. So efficiently valuable was his service in that body, that he was returned for a second term, serving with similar credit in the house of 1889.
299
IRA WHITCHER.
I RA WHITCHER of Haverhill (Woodsville) was born in Coventry (now Benton), December 2, 1815. His father, William Whitcher, was one of the first settlers of the town, where he reared a family of sixteen children, the subject of this sketch being the seventh. His grandfather, Chase Whitcher, was one of the early settlers of Warren, and was active as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, serving for quite a period as one of the committee of safety for the northern part of the state. Mr. Whitcher received only a limited com- mon-school education, and engaged in the lumber business in his native town, a business which he has since carried on extensively in Benton, Warren, and at Woodsville, he having removed to the latter place from Benton in 1870. Mr. Whitcher has filled various town offices in both Benton and Haverhill. He represented Benton in the New Hampshire legislature in 1845, '46, '50, '51, '63, and '64, and Haverhill in 1891-'92. He was a member of the constitutional con- vention of 1850, and was chosen by the legislature of 1864 one of the commission to supervise the rebuilding of the state house. He served for six years, 1867-'73, as one of the county commissioners of Grafton county, the county almshouse being constructed during his term of service. He was largely instrumental in securing the removal of the county-seat to Woodsville, and was one of the special commission which built the present handsome court-house at that place. Mr. Whitcher was married, November 27, 1843, to Lucy Royce, and two of his four children, William F. Whitcher, editor of the Boston Daily Traveller, and Mrs. Chester Abbott of Woodsville, are still living.
300
CHARLES PARKER.
C HARLES PARKER was born May 21, 1826, in Lisbon. He was educated in the common and high schools in Lisbon, New- bury seminary, and Phillips academy. Danville, Vt. After completing his education, in 1851 he moved to Lyman, where he, in connection with James R. Young, formed the business firm of Parker & Young, and entered into mercantile and manufacturing pursuits. In 1856 the firm established another store in Lisbon. In 1864 they disposed of their Lyman business, Mr. Parker moving to Lisbon, where he has since resided. In 1884 the partnership was terminated by the death of Mr. Young, and the Parker & Young Manufacturing company was formed, Mr. Parker being its treasurer and general manager. In the affairs of Lyman and Lisbon Mr. Parker has been prominent, having represented both towns for two years each in the house of representatives. He has been a justice of the peace and quorum throughout the state for more than thirty years. His business success has been great, although he has suffered large losses in several disastrous fires. But he has faced and braved all such reverses, which would have overcome men of a less determined and resolute character. Throughout the entire north coun- try, few men are better known or more highly esteemed than Mr. Parker. His genial presence, his endowed vigor of body and intellect, have won for him a high place in public affection, while his unflagging enterprise and indomitable zeal have made him known throughout the business cir- cles of New England. To him, perhaps as to no other man, the town of Lisbon, with its varied and progressive enterprises, owes much of its prosperity. He was one of the first directors in the Lisbon bank, and as a member of the legislature was very instrumental in securing that institution's charter.
301
JAMES N. MCCOY.
J AMES N. McCOY was born in Thornton, December 11, 1848, and is the son of Nathan McCoy and Mary A. (Cilley) McCoy. During the childhood of Mr. McCoy his parents moved to Con- cord, and in the public schools of that city the subject of this sketch was educated, finishing his education at Newbury (Vt. ) academy, where he was a classmate of Col. Charles A. Sinclair. After leaving school, for the two years from 1862 to 1864, Mr. McCoy was employed in the Sinclair House, Bethlehem, and in 1866 he went to Iowa, where he became agent for the Walter A. Wood harvesting machines, achieving in this line of work marked success, until his return East a few years later, when he embarked in the roofing business in New York city, fol- lowing this until 1880. He then returned to the state of his birth, and became engaged in lumbering and real estate business in northern New Hampshire, in which he has continued until the present time, now giv- ing his services to the Winnipiseogee Paper company, of Franklin, having charge of that corporation's extensive interest in the Pemige- wasset valley and throughout the entire north part of the state. Mr. McCoy is a sturdy son of New Hampshire ; genial but unassuming, he nevertheless has worked his way forward to a competence, and the responsible position that he now occupies is due solely to his capability, his steadfastness, his fidelity, and his energy.
302
SIDNEY B. WHITTEMORE.
S IDNEY BENJAMIN WHITTEMORE was born at Colebrook, July 21, 1839, the son of a farmer, Benjamin Whittemore, and of Elmira (Chandler) Whittemore. His boyhood was passed upon his father's farm, and he attended the common schools of Colebrook, and Colebrook academy, and yet resides upon the old Whittemore home- stead, where he carries on the farm bequeathed to him by his father. and is engaged as a shipper of country produce. Mr. Whittemore is a man of rare good judgment, and in the affairs of Colebrook and Coos county, and even of the state, has been an active factor in shaping events. In 1875 and 1876 he was treasurer of Coos county; in 1885 he was a member of the legislature, and served his state faithfully. For three terms he was a member of the board of agriculture, and co-oper- ated heartily in all the progressive matters of the board during his term of service. In 1885 he was appointed a member of the board of trustees of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, and by re-appointment still holds that position. To the duties of this position Mr. Whittemore has given much attention. He is deeply interested in the work of the college, and was one of the warmest advo- cates of its removal from Hanover to Durham; and in the work of establishing the college in its new home, Mr. Whittemore has been prominent. Mr. Whittemore was a member of the New Hampshire National Guard during the period of the reorganization of that body. and at the time of his retirement from military service was captain of Company I, of the Third regiment. Mr. Whittemore is one of the solid farmers of the state. Bringing to agricultural pursuits the advantages derived from study and observation, he has been enabled, in his work as a shipper of country produce, by closely following the markets, to attain success not always given to endeavor, and the permanence of that suc- cess is justified by the care with which its results have been attained.
303
FRANK PARKER BROWN.
I TT is a characteristic of New Hampshire men that they readily turn
their hands to almost any occupation. This characteristic in a successful degree belongs to Frank Parker Brown of Whitefield, who was born in Bow, March 24, 1847, and is the son of Parker Brown and Clara A. Gault. He was educated in the common schools of his native town, at Colby academy, New London, finishing with a course at the commercial college in Concord, and immediately entering upon a business career as merchant, following that calling for ten years, since which time he has been variously engaged in lumbering, farming, banking, and milling, and always with an unequivocal measure of pros- perity. Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics, and his natural activity has led him to prominence in his party. In 1876 and 1877 he was a member of the legislature, and from 1885 to 1887 he held a commission as commissary general on Governor Currier's staff. During the recent campaign he was his party's candidate for sheriff of Coos county, and made a most gallant and so nearly successful fight as to win the plaudits of his party associates all over the state. Mr. Brown's zealous activity has led him to take an intense interest in the development of the town in which he resides, and no public institution has been formed in recent years without his earnest personal cooperation. He has held many town offices, at present holding the position of town treasurer, and is president of the Whitefield Banking and Trust company. He is also president of the Whitefield Aqueduct company and treasurer of the Whitefield Manufacturing company. Mr. Brown has made himself a factor in whatever he has undertaken. In none of the enterprises in which he has embarked has he failed to assume a prominent place, either at the outset or as the institutions have become developed. His nature would permit no other result. Modestly ambitious, Mr. Brown has made his future secure by the record of his past.
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