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 24
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318
JOHN GANNON, JR.
J® OHN GANNON, JR., now residing in Manchester, was born in Maine, forty-one years ago, and has resided in Manchester for many years, where he has followed the business of an interior decorator, being renowned for the remarkably fine work that he has turned out, decorating many of the most important public buildings, churches. halls, business places, and the finest residences throughout the state, among them being the Rockingham House, at Portsmouth, and Governor Smith's elegant residence at Hillsborough Bridge, Mr. Gannon has served meritoriously in the New Hampshire National Guard, as adjutant of the First regiment, for three years, serving also under Generals White and Patterson as brigade commissary for four years. He is at present adjutant of the battalion of Amoskeag Veterans, and is also connected with the military affairs of the state as captain of Company C, Man- chester, the Upton light infantry. Mr. Gannon is a Mason, and a Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Red Men, having served as a district deputy in that order, and having passed through the chairs in Agawan's tribe, No. 80. Mr. Gannon is a genial, companionable man, numbering his friends throughout the state by hundreds, and his prominence among New Hampshire's citizens is due to his own manly qualities, that have won for him the approbation of those about him.
319
JOSEPH L. STEVENS.
T HERE is a man in Manchester who has seen the entire develop- ment of the city thus far, and who has typified in himself the in- dustry, skill, honesty, faithfulness, liberality, goodfellowship, loyalty, and readiness which have been the characteristics of her people. He was one of her best mechanics. He was for sixteen years her popular postmaster. He has always been one of her best citizens. He is everybody's friend and helper. He was one of the founders of the Re- publican party and no other has done more to promote its success. He is honest above suspicion, generous to a fault, genial, unassuming, genuine everywhere and at all times. Joseph L. Stevens was born upon what is now the city farm in Manchester, January 15, 1827. He was the son of Ephraim and Olive Leach Stevens. He attended the district school at Manchester Centre until he was fifteen years old, and then received instruction two terms in a private academy kept by John G. Sherburne, which completed his school education. In 1846 he en- tered the Amoskeag machine shop, where he remained until February 2, 1849, when he started. for California via Panama. After two years spent in mining and other Pacific coast pursuits, he returned to his lathe in the machine shop in Manchester. In 1854 he was employed a few months in Lawrence, and then went to Boston, where he worked at his trade four years. In 1858 he again settled in Manchester, and built the pump for the first Amoskeag fire-engine. He continued to construct pumps for those engines until 1870, when he was appointed postmaster, a position which he filled so acceptably that he was re- appointed again and again, and a fourth time, and served until the place was wanted for a Democratic partisan in 1886, when he retired. He has since been engaged to some extent in the insurance business and the management of the Manchester Street railway.
320
CAPT. GEORGE FARR.
T WO of the sons of the late John Farr have been prominently identified with general affairs in this state. These are Evarts W. Farr, who died while a member of congress, and George Farr, who easily holds a position among the most prominent and useful citizens in his locality. His mother was Tryphena (Morse) Farr. Ile early learned the lessons of self-reliance, under circumstances which required steady industry, and forbade him the ordinary recreations which to the modern youth are regarded as a necessity. He was prepared for col- lege at the Thetford academy, in Vermont, and passed honorably through a full college course at Amherst and Dartmouth, graduating at the latter in 1862. Soon after he enlisted for a three years term, assisted in raising Company D, of the Thirteenth regiment, at Littleton, and served as its captain through the war. He was severely wounded, June 1, 1864, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, and was unable to partici- pate in the further campaigns of his regiment, but did good service on courts-martial and military commissions, at Norfolk, Va., until mustered out in 1865, as the senior captain of his regiment, which was the first organized body of Union troops that entered the rebel capital. Captain Farr prepared himself for admission to the bar, but the condition of his health prevented the gratification of his purpose in this direction. Ile engaged in trade and manufacturing for some five years ; was deputy sheriff nine years, selectman two years, collector two years, and justice of the police court of Littleton since 1880. Several years ago he pur- chased the Oak Hill House, and has made it a famous summer hostelry. For several years he was master of Northern Pomona grange. He was for many years a member of the board of education, trustee of the public library, and chairman of the committee on town history. He was active in instituting a post of the Grand Army at Littleton, was one of its early commanders, and was commander of New Hampshire G. A. R. in 1886.
32 1
IRA PARKER.
I RA PARKER, the founder of the glove business in Littleton, the general manager and treasurer of the Saranac Glove Co., was born at Sugar Hill, October 7, 1846. He is the son of the late Silas Parker and Eliza Stevens Parker. While attending the common school and the academy at Lisbon, he devoted his evenings to the making of gloves and mittens. When nineteen years of age he came to Littleton. Bringing his ingenuity to bear upon the tanning business in its relation to the making of gloves and mittens, he was soon manufacturing leather with the grain on, a process for glove stock unknown to the world up to that time. With push, sagacity, and hard work, he laid the founda- tions for a successful business career, and the working out of his ideas has led to the industry of which Littleton is justly proud. He conducted the business alone until 1875, when the firm of Ira Parker & Co. was formed. This firm continued, under the successful management of Mr. Parker, until all the glove interests of the town were combined in the present stock company on December 31, 1889. As a citizen Mr. Parker is liberal and public-spirited. He is a generous contributor to the support of the religious interests of the town, is a member of the Masonic bodies, represented the town in the legislature of 1887, and is a director in both the Littleton National and Savings banks. He has recently purchased a mountain, lying beyond his extensive farm lands, about two miles from the village, and by a liberal expenditure of money has an excellent road to the top, which commands one of the finest mountain views in the state. November 23, 1869, he was married to Miss Louise R. Bronson of Littleton, N. H., with whom he lived until her death January 7, 1879. June 1, 1882, he married Miss Mandane A. Wright of Boston, Mass., with whom he is now living. To them have been born two interesting children, a son and a daughter.
322
BENJAMIN H. CORNING.
T HE paternal ancestry of Mr. Corning was of English origin. That branch settled at Beverly, Mass. The maternal line was Irish-Presbyterian. His father was Nathaniel Corning, and his mother, Mary ( McMurphy) Corning. Benjamin H. was born at Litch- field. July 15, 1835. His early education was in the schools there and at Manchester. Developing aptitude for mechanical pursuits, he had thoroughly covered the machinist's trade in the Amoskeag locomotive works before he had fully come to manhood. With this tuition he entered the employ of the Grand Trunk railroad at Gorham. He was with this corporation several years. Subsequently he engaged in trade at Grove- ton, and was made postmaster there by appointment of President Lin- coln. In 1866 he was made sheriff of Coos county by commission from Gov. Frederick Smythe, and served a full term of four years. Mean- time, President Lyon of the B., C. & M. railroad was preparing to ex- tend his railroad system on two branches into Coos county and the White mountains. Mr. Corning became associated with him in this work in 1869, and was ever after one of his most trusted assistants. In the last years before the transfer to the Boston & Lowell company. he was superintendent of the northern division. In 1869 he made his res- idence in Lancaster, and in 1882 at Littleton, where he found a more central location for attention to his duties as superintendent. From 1885 to 1889 he again held the office of sheriff, having been the first Republican elected to it under the changed constitution. His insurance agency, established at Littleton in 1885, is one of the most reliable and best conducted in northern New Hampshire. He has earned a repu- tation as a most capable man of affairs, and in the management of those large interests which are involved in the great industrial and me- chanical undertakings of the present time, he stands in the front rank.
323
CHARLES C. SMITH.
T' HE town of Littleton has drawn liberally on the strong and pro- gressive families of the Green Mountain state for leaders in its business and professional circles. A representative of this region is Charles C. Smith, president of the board of trade. He was born in Danville, Vt., August 18, 1832, his parents being Hiram B. Smith and Catharine (Colby) Smith. They came to Littleton long before it had attained any such importance as a commercial or manufacturing centre as it now enjoys. Their sons were educated in the local common and high schools. Both adopted the occupation of their father, hardware and tinware manufacturing. The subject of this sketch has devotedly pursued this business for forty years, seven (from 1856 to 1864) at Gor- ham, and the remainder at Littleton. In that period he has accom- plished a large success. In the full possession of his physical and mental powers, with the record of a long, profitable, and honorable business career behind him, he now retires to a well earned respite from business responsibilities. Mr. Smith has been repeatedly an incum- bent of public office, but never from his own seeking of it. He was town clerk in 1865, '66, '67, and '68 ; selectman at Gorham, in 1863 ; representative in the legislature, from Littleton, in 1869 and 1870 ; and for three successive terms he has been elected chairman of the board of supervisors, irrespective of the partisan result of the election on other parts of the ticket. His conection with Freemasonry goes almost back to the date of the establishment of Burns lodge at Littleton, in 1859. He has always been zealously devoted to this institution. He is a member of Franklin chapter, of Lisbon; Omega council, of Plymouth ; Aleppo temple, of Boston, and he has received the thirty- second degree in the consistory at Nashua. He was a charter member of St. Gerard commandery of Knights Templar, of Littleton, and its eminent commander in 1888.
324
CHAUNCEY H. GREENE.
M R. GREENE became a resident of Littleton in his youth, and has ever since remained prominently identified with the affairs of the town. His parents were Josiah Greene and Rebekah Cram (Bailey) Greene. He was born in Weare, N. H., July 17, 1836. He received an academic education in the Green Mountain Liberal institute at South Woodstock, Vt. For some years he followed a mechanical trade, but gradually his adaptation to broader business pursuits became recognized, and he was called to manage important undertakings. He was a Republican in politics at the time of the formation of the party, and has consistently adhered to its principles and policies. He early identified himself with the Masonic institution, and was master of Burns lodge at Littleton for several years. He was made a chapter Mason at Lisbon, and in 1868 became a charter member of St. Gerard command- ery and its first eminent commander. He was also master of Omega council while it was located at Littleton. He is a 32 degree member of the consistory at Nashua. He was grand commander of Knights Tem- plar of New Hampshire in 1877. Mr. Greene entered the army in Sep- tember, 1864, as orderly sergeant of Company 1. First New Hampshire heavy artillery, and December 26, 1864, was promoted to second lieu- tenant of Company 1. He served faithfully to the end of the war, when he entered the federal government service as route agent in the railway mail. After ten years in this employment he resigned, and accepted the office of indexer of records in the New Hampshire state treasury. December, 1889. He was occupied on this work two years and two months. This laborious and difficult task covered the archives in one department for the whole period of our state and provincial existence. He was appointed postmaster at Littleton by President Harrison in March, 1891. The same painstaking industry, and unostentatious de- votion to duty that have always marked his career, have placed him among those who are justly regarded as model postmasters.
325
CHARLES FRANKLIN EASTMAN.
C HARLES FRANKLIN EASTMAN is one of the solid men of northern New Hampshire. Born in Littleton, October 1, 1841, the son of Hon. Cyrus Eastman and Susan French (Tilton) Eastman, he was educated in the local public schools, the Kimball Union acad- emy, and the Business college of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. When he entered their employ as book-keeper, in 1858, the Eastmans were vet- eran merchants. He became a member of the firm of Eastman, Tilton & Co. in January, 1866, and upon the decease of Franklin Tilton the firm was reorganized, Colonel Eastman remaining at the head, with C. F. Eastman as the junior partner. For many years C. & C. F. Eastman were unquestionably the foremost merchants in the White mountain region. They occupied the " depot store," one of the land- marks of trade in Littleton. In 1882 they sold the business to Edson, Bailey & Eaton. Meantime, Charles F. Eastman had married Mary Ida Taft, daughter of Richard and Lucinda (Knight) Taft, who had made the Profile House a famous hostelry. Mrs. Eastman deceased in 1887, and he married Mary R. Colby in 1891. His children are a son and a daugh- ter. He is averse to holding public positions, but some way or other his neighbors manage occasionally to get the benefit of his sagacious administration of responsible offices. He has served as a member since 1882, and treasurer since 1885, of the school board in Union district ; trustee and treasurer of the public library; selectman three terms ; each time enjoying the special compliment of a unanimous election ; member and treasurer of the committee on town history; national bank director and vice-president of the Littleton Savings bank, and a mem- ber of the present legislature. His church relations are with the Con- gregationalists. Littleton has two strong local Masonic organizations, a lodge and a commandery. Mr. Eastman is a working member of both bodies, and is serving at the present time as master of Burns lodge, and is a 32 degree Mason.
326
DR. GEORGE W. MCGREGOR.
A MONG the rising young men in the profession of medicine in northern New Hampshire, is Dr. McGregor, of Littleton. He is a native of Bethlehem, born June, 1853. His parents were Willard A. McGregor and Almira G. (Blandin) McGregor. Dr. McGregor was educated in the common and high schools at Bethlehem, and in the seminaries at Tilton and New Hampton. His medical preceptors were Dr. Geo. S. Gove, of Whitefield, and Dr. L. B. How, of Manchester. He was graduated in medicine at the Dartmouth Medical college in 1878. His first location in practice was at Lunenburg, Vt., where he remained from October in the year of his graduation till August, 1880. Since that time he has been located at Littleton, and has in that vicinity built up an extensive and lucrative practice. His characteristics as a practitioner are thoroughness in diagnosis, skilful appreciation of the necessities of the case in hand, and wisdom and courage in the applica- tion of remedies. Dr. McGregor, besides keeping himself in close touch with the best medical thought, as it is reflected in the current technical and periodical literature of the profession, takes time to re- vise and perfect his acquirements in the medical arts by courses in the best post-graduate medical schools and hospitals of the metropolis. He is an authority in preventive medicine, and has served repeatedly as health officer. His administration of this duty has always been wise and efficient, and his reports are terse and instructive. Always one of the most active members of the White Mountain Medical society, he has often contributed papers and addresses in its proceedings, and in 1889 was its president. His biographical notices of Drs. Tuttle and Moody were especially commendable. He is a member of the New Hampshire Medical society, and one of the board of censors. He is a Free Mason, is identified with the Congregational church, and is a sturdy Democrat in politics, and influential in the councils of that party.
327
OSCAR C. HATCH.
A GRADUATE of the old bank of Newbury, Mr. Hatch came to the service of the Littleton National and Savings banks when he had just passed his majority. He had, however, already attracted favorable attention as a successful cashier of the Bank of Chel- sea, Vt. The Littleton banks were then but little advanced beyond the state of financial experiment. In his twenty years of service as their chief executive officer, he has seen the deposits in the National bank advanced from $30,000 to $250,000, and those in the Savings bank increased from $40,000 to $1,130,000. As treasurer of the one, and president of the other, of these institutions, he is now recognized as a man who has won an enviable position in business and finances on his merits. In the prime of life, he now stands before the public with a character unspotted by any vice of act or habit, with a business career unmarred by failure, and with the respect and confidence of his fellows, not limited by party divisions, personal associations, or immediate constitu- encies. Though always persistent and unlagging in devotion to the respon- sible business offices which he has accepted, Mr. Hatch has never been unmindful of the duties devolving upon him as a citizen. In the affairs of the church, in municipal progress, in social organizations, and in all legis- lative work assigned him, and as a square party man in fair politics, his associates have learned to rely upon his judgment, because it is seldom at fault, and to expect certain results from his efforts, because, though unos- tentatious, they are none the less wisely directed. He is a representative of that class of men whose advice is oftenest sought by the people in all conditions. He is a genial companion, and a faithful friend. His home life is the centre of the most agreeable domestic relations, and a rational and kindly hospitality. This is his first service in the legislature, but he takes his place by the law of " natural selection " at the head of the committee on banks in the house of representatives, and he is a con- spicuously useful and successful legislator.
328
HENRY CHANDLER.
T HE three sons of Adam and Sally Chandler of Bedford have each attained prominence in an especial line of activity. In the finan- cial circles of New Hampshire each ranks with the leaders. The oldest of these sons, Henry Chandler, was born in Bedford, October 30, 1830. and his education was acquired in the district schools. At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Chandler left the farm of his father and removed to Nashua, where he began a business career as clerk in a grocery and hardware store. In October, 1854, he removed to Manchester, and en- tered the employ of Plumer & Bailey, clothing dealers, with whom as employé and partner he remained until March 1, 1870, when he sold his interest and went to Boston to become a member of the firm of Sibley, Cumner & Co., wholesale dealers in tailors' trimmings, retain- ing his interest there until 1879. During his business residence in Boston, Mr. Chandler still made his home in Manchester, and at the conclusion of his relations with the firm last mentioned he became con- nected with the Amoskeag Savings bank in the latter city, and was made its treasurer in 1884, still holding the position. In addition to his duties in connection with the bank, Mr. Chandler is treasurer of the Manchester & Lawrence railroad, in which position he succeeded his brother, Hon. George Byron Chandler, is president of the Brown Lum- ber company at Whitefield, and member of the board of water commis- sioners of Manchester, and is the oldest director in point of service of the Amoskeag National bank Mr. Chandler, as a business man. has displayed through all his life the family characteristic, the art of winning success. Following in the same line of work in which his brothers have also achieved renown, it is rather remarkable that so many members of one family should have become so conspicuous, yet the success of each may be clearly traced to the exercise of the natural ability with which each is endowed.
329
ALONZO ELLIOTT.
A LONZO ELLIOTT was born in Augusta, Me., July 25, 1849, and is the son of Albert Elliott and Adeline Waterman ( Black- burn) Elliott. He completed his education at the New Hampshire Conference seminary at Tilton, and began life as a clerk in a country store in Coös county, then becoming telegraph operator and clerk in Tilton and Wentworth, and in 1869 going to Manchester to become telegraph operator and ticket clerk of the Concord railroad with James R. Kendrick, succeeding to the position of ticket agent in 1870, and holding it until 1893. Yet Mr. Elliott's reputation has been made in other walks of life than that afforded by his duties in the railroad office. He is a director in the Garvin's Falls Power company, the New Hampshire Life Insurance company, and the Guaranty Savings bank ; is clerk of the People's Gas-Light company, and is secretary of the Citizens' Building and Loan association, and is treasurer of the Elliott Manufacturing company and the Bank of New England, and president of the Manchester Electric Light company. Mr. Elliott is prominent in the ranks of Trinity commandery, Knights Templar, and is one of the charter members of the Derryfield club, the leading social organization of Manchester. Mr. Elliott has many business connec- tions, making him one of the Queen City's most hustling citizens. He has never aspired to political office, although his name has been prom- inently mentioned among Democratic candidates for mayor of the city. He is in hearty sympathy with the wage-earner, the manufacturer, and the merchant, and deeply interested in matters pertaining to the advancement of Manchester.
33º
FRANK WEST ROLLINS.
F FRANK WEST ROLLINS was born in Concord, February 24. 1860, the son of Edward Henry and Ellen (West) Rollins. He was educated in the schools of Concord, by Moses Woolson, at the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology, class of 1881, and at the Harvard law school. His law preceptor was Hon. John Y. Mugridge, and he was admitted to the bar in August. 1882. For one year he practised his profession and then entered the banking business, establishing the firm of E. H. Rollins & Sons, becoming vice president of the house after its incorporation. To the work of the house he has given his close personal attention and is now in charge of its Boston office, though still residing in Concord. For relaxation he has turned to literature and the military. In the New Hampshire National Guard he has served in various capacities, from private in the Rollins Guards to position on the brigade staff as assistant adjutant-general with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In literature Colonel Rollins has made his name known by fragmentary contributions to the periodical press, and by more pretentious publications, which have been received with favor. Colonel Rollins is a careful man, careful in his work, in his business, careful with his friend- ships, and above all careful of the good name which he bears so modestly and so well.
331
HON. HENRY O. KENT.
H ENRY OAKES KENT, a gallant son of New Hampshire, and a son of Richard Peabody Kent and Emily Mann Oakes, was born in Lancaster February 7, 1834. He was educated at Lancaster academy and at Norwich Military university, graduating in the class of 1854. He studied law with Hon. Jacob Benton, was admitted to the ·bar in 1858, and for twelve years was editor and proprietor of the Coos Republican, conducting that newspaper with rare ability until 1870, in which year he became engaged in office business and also turned his attention to banking and manufacturing, as treasurer and a director of the Lancaster savings bank, and as manager and one of the owners of the Lancaster paper mill. During the war he was appointed aide to the adjutant-general, to organize the recruiting service in April, 1861. He was made assistant adjutant-general of the state April 30 of the same year, and colonel of the Seventeenth regiment, New Hampshire volunteer infantry, October 23, 1862, his rank and service being recognized by special act of congress July 21, 1892. He has held numerous positions of political importance and personal responsi- bility, serving as bank commissioner in 1866, 1867, and 1868, as pres- idential elector in 1864, moderator at Lancaster over twenty years, assistant clerk of the house of representatives in 1855, 1856, and clerk in 1857, 1858, and 1859, as member of the house in 1862, 1868, 1869, and 1883, as state senator in 1885, as delegate to the Chicago conven- tion of 1860, the Cincinnati convention of 1872, and the national Dem- ocratic convention in 1884, as naval officer at the Port of Boston from 1885 to 1890, as president of the Lancaster Trust company and as a director in sundry railroad, insurance, and banking companies. He rode as colonel of the Governor's Horse Guards, has been grand com- mander of Knights Templar, post commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, three times the candidate of his party for congress, and a commissioner to adjust the eastern boundary of the state.
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