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 23
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304
OSCAR G. BARRON.
T O be the highly popular manager of the most successful hotel in Chicago in this Columbian year, 1893, is an enviable distinction. and it belongs to a New Hampshire man, Oscar G. Barron, of the Ray- mond & Whitcomb Grand hotel. Ile was born in Quechee, Windsor county, Vt., October 17, 1851, the son of Asa T. and Clarissy ( Dem- mon) Barron. His education was gained in the schools at White River Junction, Vt., and in the Williston (Vt. ) and Thetford (Vt.) academies. His lifelong occupation has been hotel-keeping, with every department of which he is thoroughly acquainted, and in the pursuit of which he has gained a success that is almost unrivalled. The mere mention of the houses over which he has exercised a guiding care. tells the story of his remarkable career. The list includes the Senate restau- rant at Washington, D. C. ; Putnam hotel, Palatka, Florida ; the great Eastman hotel, Hot Springs, Arkansas ; Raymond & Whitcomb Grand, Chicago, Illinois : Twin Mountain House, Crawford House, Fabyan House, Mount Pleasant House, and Summit House in the White mountains. In addition to these business cares, Mr. Barron has found time and opportunity to enter extensively into public life. He has held about all the offices in the town of Carroll, including chair- man of the board of selectmen for many years, justice of the peace. and member of the house of representatives. He acquired the title of colonel by service upon the staff of Gov. Charles H. Sawyer, and has held the office of postmaster through all changes of administra- tion since he was 20 years of age. A Chicago writer. speaking of the Grand hotel, says: "The management of this unique hotel was entrusted by its promoters to Mr. Oscar G. Barron. The result is a splendid organization, excellent service, and a fine cuisine. Mr. Bar- ron, who is a bluff New Englander of fine physique, gives his personal attention to every department of this unique hotel. his alertness and indefatigability being proverbial among those who know him."
305
EDSON J. HILL.
E DSON JAMES HILL, the son of James Riggs Hill and Sophia Pickering, was born in Concord, October 19, 1857, and was educated in the schools of that city and at St. Paul's school. At the age of seventeen he became book-keeper for J. R. Hill & Co., manu- facturers of the Concord harness, and until 1884 was employed in that capacity. He then became landlord of the Phenix hotel, which had been for half a century one of the leading hostelries of the state, and maintained his relations with it until the organization of the Eagle & Phenix Hotel Co., in 1889, of which he became treasurer and man- aging director, and is now the moving spirit of the corporation, which, by lavish expenditure of money, has remodelled the Eagle hotel, making it, in equipment, appurtenances, cuisine, and advantages, among the leading hotels in New England. Mr. Hill, in addition to his duties in connection with the management of this property, is also a trustee in the Union Guaranty Savings bank, and a director in the Capital Fire Insurance company. Mr. Hill is the principal owner and manager of the J. R. Hill estate, and his rent-roll covers many of the finest of the stores for which Concord has of late become noted. As a financier Mr. Hill has developed remarkable sagacity, and with unerring acuteness has placed himself in the van of public progress in his native city. Improvement has waited rather upon him than he upon it ; justly proud of his reputation as a landlord, he has increased his holdings in real estate, and has in each case improved the property that has come into his possession. Mr. Hill is a quiet, cultured gentleman in private life, suave and courteous in manner ; in him the reputation of an honored name maintains itself, and the wisdom of a sagacious sire is perpetu- ated.
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WALTER M. ROGERS.
W ALTER M. ROGERS was born at Plymouth, and is the son of John Rogers, a merchant of that place, who was a man of more than ordinary abilities, of fine presence, cultured literary taste, -in short, a true gentleman of the old school. Mr. Rogers's family is one of the best. His uncle, Nathaniel P'. Rogers, was one of the early Abolitionists, and was associated with George Thompson, William Lloyd Garrison, and Wendell Phillips. He was the editor of The Ilerald of Freedom, an anti-slavery paper of those days. As a newspaper writer he was considered by his contemporaries unequalled by any in the jour- nalistic field. Mr. Rogers himself has been in mercantile life since the age of seventeen, and for fully thirty years has been connected with the Bradley Fertilizer company, of Boston, the leading fertilizer company of America, whose representative he now is. In this capacity Mr. Rogers has visited every quarter of New Hampshire, and in each community that he has visited he numbers his friends by the score, winning them with ease, and retaining them with permanence. A lover of fine horses, Mr. Rogers has made his numerous tours through New Hampshire behind some of the finest roadsters that have ever pressed the highways of the state. His genial, sunny nature has endeared him to all with whom he has come in contact, in both a business and a social manner. Ilis rela- tions have been not only those of a business associate, but of a friend. -firm, enduring, substantial. Mr. Rogers is ardently in love with the beautiful scenery of his native state, and interested in all the measures looking to its preservation. Keen, clear in his perceptions, rapid in his conclusions, honorable in his dealings with all men, aided by the warmth of his sunny character, he has achieved a remarkable success for himself and his employers, a success that finds its more enduring encomium in his long years of service, in his increasing number of patrons, in the deepening of his fraternal ties.
307
CLARK F. ROWELL.
C LARK FERRON ROWELL was born in Goshen, February 20, 1834, and was educated in the common schools and Tubbs's academy at Washington, under Prof. D. H. Sanborn. For many years he has resided in Keene, and has held municipal offices ; was six years a member of the board of education, and has sat in the common council. During the administration of Governor Weston he was ser- geant-at-arms of the New Hampshire legislature, and has been the candidate of his party for state treasurer at several different elections. In Keene he holds several positions of trust, having been a trustee in the Keene Five Cents Savings bank since its organization, treasurer of the Keene Humane society, and member of the board of health. For the past ten years he has been travelling agent of the Cheshire and Fitchburg railroads, numbering his acquaintances and friends by the hundreds, and having been second vice-president of the White Mountain Travellers' association. In Masonic circles Mr. Rowell stands high, having received all the degrees, up to and including the thirty-second, in regular order. For several years he was treasurer of the Hugh De Payens commandery, Knights Templar, of Keene, and is a member of the grand chapter of New Hampshire. Mr. Rowell is a most urbane gentleman, his occu- pation naturally bringing him into contact with thousands of men annually. He has so delicately and tactfully conducted his business as to make each of those thousands of men his friend. The soul of honor, the positions of trust to which he has been chosen, and for which he has been made his party's candidate, but emphasize his integrity, and the various official positions which he has held serve only to call attention to his ability. In the city of Keene, in the state of New Hampshire, indeed through all New England, Mr. Rowell finds ready welcome by the unostentatious merit of his life, by the cordial friendliness of his greeting, and by the warm depths of his comprehensive friendship.
308
COL. GEORGE A. SANDERS.
EORGE ALVIN SANDERS was born in Laconia, December 10,
G Y 1846, and was educated in the public schools of that place and at Appleton academy at New Ipswich. He began his business career by entering his father's store as a clerk, but shortly after, in 1864, he removed to Boston, where he became book-keeper for a wholesale house, relinquishing this a year later to enter the employ of Abram French & Co., by whom for twenty-one years he was employed as a travelling salesman, canvassing almost the entire New England states in his routes. In 1886 his father's failing health drew him back to his old home in Laconia, where, in company with his brother, he assumed the manage- ment of his father's business, under the firm name of Sanders Brothers, a partnership which terminated in 1892, when Colonel Sanders assumed sole charge. As a Republican, Colonel Sanders has been prominent. In the legislature of 1889-'90 he headed a successful legislative ticket in Laconia. In 1891 he was made an aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov- ernor Tuttle, with the rank of colonel. In 1892 he was chosen a com- missioner of Belknap county. Colonel Sanders was active in the formation of the White Mountain Travellers' association, and serves it as secretary and treasurer. In the new city government of Laconia he holds the position of chief engineer of the fire department. He is a trustee of the Belknap Savings bank, and a director in the Laconia Gas company. In secret society circles he takes rank as a thirty-second degree Mason, eminent commander of Pilgrim commandery, Knights Templar. a Knight of Pythias, and a Red Man. And everywhere he takes rank as a whole-souled, genial, companionable, active man, the best of friends, the truest of comrades.
309
DR. GRANVILLE P. CONN.
D R. GRANVILLE P. CONN was born in Hillsborough, January 25, 1832, of mingled Scotch, Irish, and English ancestry. He resided at home until the age of sixteen, attending the common schools and working upon the farm, following this with a few months of school at Francestown and Pembroke academies, and with two years at the Military academy at Norwich, Vt., preparing himself for the profession of civil engineering, which ill-health compelled him to relinquish. He then studied medicine with Dr. H. B. Brown of Hartford, Vt., at the same time teaching school. He attended two courses of medical lec- tures at Woodstock, Vt., and at Dartmouth Medical college, receiving his degree from that institution in 1856, and immediately began the practice of his profession in East Randolph, Vt., continuing it at Rich- mond, in the same state, until August 19, 1862, when he was commis- sioned assistant-surgeon in the Twelfth Vermont volunteers, serving with this regiment in the field; was mustered out of the United States service in 1863. In the fall of that year he came to Concord, where he has since remained in the practice of his profession, advancing until he stands in the lead in the medical profession in the state. Dr. Conn, as a physician, has given much attention to matters of public health, and has served as city physician of Concord, as president of the state board of health, and as vice-president of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. In all of these positions Dr. Conn has taken advance guard upon sanitary problems. The health laws of New Hampshire were largely drafted by him, and the present efficiency of the state board of health is largely due to his efforts during his years as president. Dr. Conn's ability has been recognized by the trustees of Dartmouth Med- ical college, who honored him with a position upon the faculty of that institution ; and he is a member of numerous medical and scientific associations.
310
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DR. FERDINAND A. STILLINGS.
F ERDINAND A. STILLINGS was born at Jefferson, March 30. 1849, the son of Anson Stillings and Phoebe de Forest ( Kenison) Stillings. His preliminary education was secured in the high and pri- vate schools, and he took a degree in medicine from Dartmouth Med- ical college in 1870, and completed his professional studies at the Rotunda in Dublin, Ireland, from which he graduated in 1874. After graduating from Dartmouth, he was assistant physician at the McLean hospital in Somerville, Mass., for three years; then he went abroad, where he studied in Dublin, Paris, and London, returning to this country in 1874, and settling in Concord, where he has since resided, and has secured a prominent position among the medical fraternity of the state, and has built up an exacting practice, which extends to wide territorial limits. During his residence in Concord, Dr. Stillings has served as United States pension examining surgeon, and as chief sur- geon for the Concord division of the Concord & Montreal railroad. Ile has been connected with the hospital service in Concord since its incep- tion, and is now a visiting physician and surgeon on the staff of the Margaret Pillsbury general hospital. From 1891 to 1893 he was sur- geon-general of the New Hampshire National Guard, by appointment from Governor Tuttle. Dr. Stillings, though still young, may recount many a weighty professional achievement. A solidity of learning, a brilliancy of execution, a readiness of diagnosis, and a skilfulness in treatment, have combined to win him professional standing and success, and among his fellows in the profession, as well as among those who know him, he is hailed as a genial, cultured, and welcome companion.
311
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DR. ANSON C. ALEXANDER.
A MONG the prominent physicians of New Hampshire must be classed Dr. Anson C. Alexander, who was born at Littleton, October 10, 1855, and was educated at the New Hampton institute and Colby academy, New London. His parents were among the pioneers of northern New Hampshire. Both great grandfathers were Revolu- tionary soldiers, and fought at Bunker Hill. His medical education was obtained in Philadelphia, at the Hahnemann Medical college, Phil- adelphia school of anatomy and surgery, and the Pennsylvania hospital, receiving his diploma from that institution in 1881. Dr. Alexander's career in the medical college was characterized by high scholarship. In 1880 he won the one hundred dollar gold medal for superior scholarship in all branches, the first honor of that degree ever taken by a New England student. In September following his graduation from the med- ical college, Dr. Alexander began the practice of his profession at Pen- acook, where he has since resided, each year adding to his success. His practice, from the first, was large, and in later years he has come to be almost a specialist in diseases of lungs, and in that peculiarly New Eng- land disease, the scourge consumption. This disease Dr. Alexander has made a special study, and as years have gone on and opportunities increased he has given more and more attention to the alleviation and cure of it, and his success has been very gratifying. As a physician in general practice also, his skill has been called constantly into requisition by the demands of a practice covering territory of miles in extent. In the community in which he lives Dr. Alexander stands high in every circle. He is a Mason, a Knight Templar, a member of Mount Horeb commandery. The enterprising physician has been also a good citizen, his time has been freely given in reply to public demands, and to the extent of his power he has served the community well. He is yet young, and his successes lie before him. Some are past, yet those that have gone are such as to indicate that greater ones are yet beyond.
312
DR. DINI CROSBY.
D IXI CROSBY, M. D., was born July 29, 1869, at Hanover, N. H .. son of the late Prof. Alpheus Benning Crosby, professor of sur- gical anatomy at Bellevue hospital, New York city, and grandson of the late Prof. Dixi Crosby, the celebrated physician and surgeon who was dean of Dartmouth's medical faculty for thirty years. His preparatory studies were pursued at Holderness school, Holderness, N. H., and at Tufts college, Somerville, Mass. He received his medical education at Bellevue Hospital Medical college, New York city, and at the Dartmouth Medical college, at which institution he graduated with high honor and distinction in 1890. Prior to his graduation he was appointed demonstrator of anatomy and prosector at Dartmouth Medical college. In 1890 he commenced the practice of his profession in New York city. where he was appointed clinical assistant in the genito-urinary class. out- patient department of Bellevue, and also to a similar position in the Vanderbilt clinic. At the same time, he received the appointment of clinical assistant in the throat department of Bellevue. In 1891 he was appointed assistant visiting surgeon, O. P. D., of St. Mary's hospital, which position he filled until March, 1892, when he removed to Exeter, N. H., where he is now engaged in his profession. In the same year he graduated at the Broome-street Midwifery dispensary in New York city. He is a member of the New York County Medical association. and fellow of the New Hampshire State Medical society. In 1895 he was elected a member of the American Academy of Social and Political Advancement, and also appointed pension examiner by President Cleve- land. By reason of his interest in the Humane society, he was appointed by Sheriff Coffin deputy sheriff to enforce the laws for prevention of cruelty to animals, in 1893. In 1891 he presented to the profession the "Crosby Surgical Needle Holder," an improved and valuable instrument in the practice of surgery. He is unmarried.
313
DR. J. ALONZO GREENE.
T HE name and fame of Dr. J. Alonzo Greene, like good wine " needs no bush." He was born in Whitingham, Vt., October 5, 1845, the son of Reuben and Lydia (Wasto) Greene, and was educated in the schools of Boston and at the Ohio Medical institute at Cincin- nati, from which he graduated in 1867. Dr. Greene's education was preceded by hardship, for in 1861 he set out from Boston with three dollars and brought up at Pike's Peak, Colorado, where he enlisted in Company H, First Colorado cavalry. He was wounded in battle at Sand Creek, but served throughout the war and was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth in 1865. After his graduation from the Medical college, Dr. Greene for several years was engaged in private practice, but the fortunate discovery of " Dr. Greene's Nervura," a vegetable remedy of great merit, turned him from the path of private practice to that of a dispenser of patent medicine, and he built up a business which is bounded only by civilization. Now, however, he has in a measure retired from the exacting cares of his large business, and at Long Island in Lake Winnipiseogee he has established a poultry and stock farm, the largest and most beautiful in the world, where with lavish hand he entertains and enjoys the goods which the gods have provided. Dr. Greene is prominent in Masonry, Odd Fellowship, and the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Amoskeag Veterans and the Grand Army of the Republic. The doctor organized and is the president and principal owner of the Winnipiseogee Transportation company, as well as other enterprises about the lake region.
314
DR. EDWARD BOYNTON DAVIS.
D R. EDWARD BOYNTON DAVIS, secretary of the New Hamp- shire board of registration in dentistry, was born in Concord. April 2, 1854, and is the son of Charles W. Davis and Helen M. (Boynton) Davis. Ile pursued a course of study in the public schools of his native city, and entered the dental office of Cummings & Young, in March, 1873, remaining there for nearly six years, during which time he also attended the Boston Dental college, graduating with the class of 1879. Immediately upon his graduation Dr. Davis returned to his native city and established himself in practice, where, with constantly increas- ing success, he has since remained. His patients have grown yearly more numerous, and his standing among his professional associates has been annually enhanced, as is attested by the fact that he is now vice- president of the New Hampshire Dental society, and vice-president of the Alumni association of the Boston Dental college, and member of the New England Dental society and of the National association of dental examiners. His position as secretary of the New Hampshire board of registration in dentistry was assumed in 1891, by appointment of Governor Tuttle, upon the formation of the board. Aside from his prominence in his profession, Dr. Davis has been active in other walks of life, having been one of the promoters of the Young Men's Christian association in Concord, and is at present one of its most active coad- jutors. Though never holding office, Dr. Davis has evinced a warm interest in politics, taking a prominent part in successive municipal cam- paigns. Dr. Davis is a most courteous gentleman, well schooled in the amenities of life ; in him one finds a warm friend, to whom is yielded the credit of worth, and for him the future presents inspiring views of hope crowned with the reward that follows faithful, meritorious work in any line of life, especially when measured, as in the present case, with the " golden rule."
315
HON. GEORGE W. PIERCE.
H ON. GEORGE W. PIERCE was born in Winchester, April 24, 1833. He was educated in Townshend, Vt., at the New England Institute in New York city, and at Shelburne Falls, Mass. He studied medicine with his father, Hosea Pierce, a famous old-time physician, and was graduated from the Berkshire ( Mass.) medical col- lege in 1854. He established himself in practice in his native town and has since resided there, with the exception of a year and a half spent in the service of his country as assistant surgeon and surgeon of the First New Hampshire cavalry. Dr. Pierce's military experience was filled with excitement. In November, 1864, he was wounded and made prisoner, and was confined until the following March in Libby prison. During his incarceration he was promoted to be surgeon for meritorious and gallant conduct on the field. His military service em- braced participation in fifty-two battles and he was wounded five times. Following his service in the army he took up his practice in Winches- ter, and served until 1875 as pension examining surgeon, being again appointed in 1893 and was removed by the Cleveland administration. He served upon the staff of Governor Moody Currier as surgeon-general, and in the Grand Army of the Republic has held the position of com- mander of E. N. Taft post. For twenty-five years he has been a jus- tice of the peace. He has always been an active partisan, and for twenty years was a member of the Republican state committee. In 1875 he was a member of the house of representatives, and in 1891 represented his district in the New Hampshire senate. In the medical profession Dr. Pierce takes a high rank, his practice being both exten- sive and lucrative, and is followed with a remarkable measure of success. In all public affairs he takes an ardent interest, and in private life his kindly disposition endears him to an ever-increasing circle of friends.
316
GEN. CHARLES W. STEVENS.
EN. CHARLES W. STEVENS, of Nashua, was born in Caven- Ur dish, Vt., in 1844. For more than forty-six years he has resided in New Hampshire, and here has won his success in life, a success ustly entitling him to be ranked among the leaders of the state. In business life, General Stevens is a builder and contractor, the owner of extensive quarries, and a director or stockholder in many manufacturing corporations. During the war General Stevens served with the First New Hampshire cavalry, and has been a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic since the formation of the order. He is a past commander of John G. Foster post, Nashua, and in 1892 he was an aide-de-camp on the personal staff of Gen. John Palmer, com- mander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1889, upon the. erection of the New Hampshire Soldiers' home at Tilton, General Stevens was selected by Governor Goodell as one of the first board of managers, and by re-appointment from Governor Tuttle he still holds the position. From Governor Tuttle also he was honored with an appointment as quartermaster-general on his staff. General Stevens has always been a Republican, and as such has been valuable to his party as a leader or a counsellor. His fellow-citizens repeatedly elected him a member of the Nashua common council, of which body he was presi- dent for one term ; and for four years he was a member of the board of education in his city. In 1885 he was a member of the house of rep- resentatives, and in the campaigns of 1888 and the four years following, he was the efficient chairman of the Republican city committee. General Stevens, though born in Vermont, has lived so long in New Hampshire as to have assimilated the characteristics of the state. He is indus- trious, therefore successful ; he is genial, therefore popular ; he is hon- orable, therefore respected.
317
MAJ. HARRY B. CILLEY.
M AJ. HARRY B. CILLEY was born in Manchester, May 13, 1862, and is the son of the late Jacob G. and Martha B. Cilley, his mother being the daughter of the late Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, D. D., of Concord, for more than forty years pastor of the North church and first state historian of New Hampshire. At the age of eight years Major Cilley went to Europe, where in the schools of Germany and Switzerland he laid the foundation of his education, completing his course of study in the public schools of Manchester after his return to America, and in St. Paul's school, Concord, where he remained four years. Following this, he was a student at the Cambridge (Mass.) High school, and afterwards studied in the law school of Harvard university. For two years thereafter, Major Cilley was connected with a broker's firm in Boston, and was for a year engaged in mercantile pur- suits with his cousin, Bradbury J. Cilley, at Buffalo, N. Y. During the three years following these employments he resided at Concord, where he gave much of his time to his official duties in connection with the New Hampshire National Guard, with which organization he began his connection in May, 1882, when he became commissary-sergeant in the Third regiment. May 24, 1884, he was promoted to be first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster, and May 10, 1889, was again promoted to be major and inspector of rifle practice in the First brigade, holding this position until February 6, 1891, when he took up his residence in Washington, D. C., whither he was called by appointment as private secretary to the second auditor of the treasury. On November 2, 1891, Major Cilley was commissioned first lieutenant and adjutant of the Sixth battalion of the District of Columbia National Guard, and was promoted to the position of captain and adjutant of the Second regi- ment in the same organization in the following December, holding that position at the present time.
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