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 26
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346
LEVI WOODBURY.
L' EVI WOODBURY is among the sons of New Hampshire who have achieved a marked and merited business success at Wash- ington city. He comes of an ancestry of honorable distinction in the state, his grandfather Israel having enlisted in the Revolutionary army at seventeen years of age, having a military career of seven years, and subsequently serving the state in civil capacity, in its legislature. for thirty-one consecutive years. Levi Woodbury is the son of Israel and Eliza (Graham) Woodbury, and was born at Salem, October 17, 1834. That he has not lost interest in early associations and the state. is evi- denced by the fact that he has purchased the old homestead, and makes it one of his outing-places during the summer; and also by the fact that, though he has become a Knight Templar, he has never dimitted from his mother lodge, St. Marks, No. 44. of Derry. Mr. Woodbury's early life was passed upon the farm, and his education was obtained in the public schools. His first fixed business engagement was in 1860. when he entered the service of the Manchester & Lawrence railroad, as station agent at Windham. Here he remained eight years, besides his duties as station agent engaging in the lumber business, at which he he was very successful. In 1869, having disposed of his business, he resigned from the railroad service, and going to Washington engaged in the hotel business, since which his fame as a successful hotel man has extended to all parts of the country. Mr. Woodbury is also well known as one of Washington's busy business men, being identified with several interests for the benefit of the city. He is vice-president of the new line of steamboats to Old Point and Norfolk, is a director in the Central National bank, and largely interested in Washington real estate. He is a man of affairs, who conducts whatever he undertakes with abil- ity, and to a successful issue.
347
HARLON S. WILLIS.
H ARLON S. WILLIS was born in Cambridgeport, Mass., July 18, 1843, the son of Rev. Lemuel and Almanda R. (Simmons) Willis. He was educated in the common schools at Westmoreland and Warner, and in a select school in the latter town. When twenty years of age he entered the mail service as a mail agent, and for many years was connected with that department of the governmental employ. He was promoted to be full postal clerk, and for several years was employed in the office of the superintendent of railway mail service at Boston, where his work is pronounced to have been most efficient, painstaking, and valued by his superior officer. During the administration of Presi- dent Arthur he was appointed a postoffice inspector, and after an inter- regnum, occasioned by the Democratic administration, from 1885 to 1889, he again came to that office, and still holds it. In these duties Mr. Willis has been indefatigable. Being called to various parts of the country in pursuit of his official duties, he has displayed a remarkable knowledge in their fulfilment. In the legislature of 1883 Mr. Willis represented the town of Warner, and was a valuable and consistent member. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Grand Army. August 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, of the First reg- iment, Berdan's sharpshooters, and was mustered in September 16; dis- charged, and sent home to die, on November 23, of the same year, on account of disability resulting from pneumonia. From that disability, it is needless to say, he recovered, and still enjoys fairly good health, devoted to his work, and winning in it the commendations of those who view its results in either an official or a friendly capacity.
348
GEORGE F. BEAN.
G EORGE FREMONT BEAN was born in Bradford, March 24. 1857, the son of Stephen S. Bean and Nancy E. Colby. He was educated in the Simonds Free High school at Warner, in Colby academy, New London, at Brown University and at the Boston Uni- versity Law school, and in 1885 was admitted to the Suffolk bar, open- ing an office in Boston, where he has since practised his profession with unvarying success. In 1886 he married E. Maria Blodgett of Watertown, Mass., and has two children, Esther and Stephen Sibley. He makes his home at Woburn, Mass., in which city he has won the confidence of his fellow-citizens to a marked degree, having been in 1891 elected mayor of Woburn, one of the youngest men ever to attain that honor. Mr. Bean is a type of the successful young men who are each year going out from New Hampshire. To him, perhaps, success has come more freely and readily than in most cases, yet his success is typical of that son of the Granite state who carries with him the ideals of his birth-place and finds in them the true guide to his life and efforts. Mr. Bean has been early called to high position, yet he has brought to his duties a measure of conscientious ability commensurate with the tasks set before him, and has rendered a service to the city that has honored him second to none of those who have gone before. Other honors may await him, to which if they come he will bring the same high degree of ability which has characterized already his service wherever he has been placed.
349
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HON. HOSEA B. MOULTON.
E' X-JUDGE HOSEA BALLOU MOULTON comes of good stock. He was born in Vermont in 1844 ; his father, Capt. David Moulton, and his mother, a member of the Hale family of which Hon. John P. Hale was a descendant. Judge Moulton's early school-days were spent in New Hampshire. He was still a boy when he left his studies, in 1861, and enlisted as a private soldier in the New Hampshire sharpshooters. When mustered out, in 1863, he was assigned to a position in the labo- ratory of the Washington arsenal, where he was foreman for three years ; then he became an examiner in the treasury department. Now it was that he resumed his studies, attending lectures at Columbia col- lege, Georgetown university, and National university, from which latter institution he graduated in law. Resigning his government position, Judge Moulton at once began the practice of his profession in Wash- ington. From this on, his advancement in business, social standing, church work, and reform leadership has been marked, until he has come to be one of the conspicuous figures among the larger men at the national capital. His specialty, however, is law and equity practice, and trials in the supreme court and court of final appeal. He is author- ity in many legal matters, having compiled local laws for two National Digests, and other works. For years he was one of the justices of the District of Columbia. To a clear, strong, legal mind, he adds the fortunate quality of oratory of a high order. He is recognized among the foremost speakers of the District. Judge Moulton is the accepted leader of the temperance and prohibition cause at the national capital. He has firmly and fearlessly stood for this cause before congressional committees, in all organized movements, in the enactment and execu- tion of temperance laws, both local and national. He was a candi- date for congress in the Sixth Maryland district, on the Prohibition ticket, making a vigorous, if not successful, fight.
350
GEN. GEORGE W. BALLOCK.
G EN. GEORGE WILLIAMSON BALLOCK was born at Clare- mont, December 3, 1825, and was the son of George Williamson and Amanda (West) Ballock. The family is of Scottish descent. His early life was passed in Cornish, between the district school and farming. Later, he attended two terms at the New England seminary at Windsor, Vt., and spent part of three years as a cadet at the Nor- wich university, Vt., paying his expenses by teaching and farm work. In 1847 he joined the engineer corps of the Sullivan railroad, remaining till 1850, then entered the employ of the Boston & Maine as agent at Wakefield, Mass. He went from there to Andover, Mass., as freight agent, and thence to Great Falls, where he remained until 1858, when he formed a partnership with George Moore in the drug business. He was town clerk of Somersworth in 1857- 59, and the town's first police justice. In August, 1861, he opened a recruiting office for the Fifth New Hampshire regiment, and entered the service as first lieutenant of Company D. The regiment was assigned to General Howard's brigade, by whom he was detailed as brigade commissary of subsistence. He served in the subsistence department during the entire war, being pro- moted successively to captain and lieutenant-colonel, and was mustered out as brevet brigadier-general. He served with Generals Howard, Hooker. Slocum, and others of note. In June, 1865, he was assigned to duty in the Freedmen's bureau as disbursing officer, remaining till 1871, disbursing during that time over $20,000,000. In 1871 he was made superintendent of streets under the board of public works of the District of Columbia, and served until the board was abolished. Since that time he has been engaged in business at Washington as a patent attor- ney and insurance agent. He is a Republican in politics ; in his church relations, a Congregationalist, being an original member of the First church. He is a zealous Freemason, having received all the degrees.
351
EMMONS STOCKWELL SMITH.
F MMONS STOCKWELL SMITH is a native of New Hampshire. who has an honorable place among the business men at the national capital. Mr. Smith is the son of William H. and Eudora (Weber) Smith, and was born at Lancaster, February 3, 1859. At the age of fourteen he commenced active business life in a store in his native village, which he erected entirely from money he had earned in various ways, keeping a confectionery and notion store. Here he re- mained until he reached twenty-one, at which time he had quite a property for that section. Having voted for James A. Garfield for president, he came to Washington to see him inaugurated. Thinking he saw an opening for success, he started the Boston variety store, oc- cupying one building. This business has grown until now three build- ings and a large outside storage-room are required. The Christmas trade is something enormous. Mr. Smith is a director in the Traders' Na- tional bank, and also of the U. S. Electric Light company. Charitable in private life, he is also a promoter of public charity, being a director of the Eastern Dispensary and other charities. Mr. Smith is an active member of Lafayette lodge, F. and A. M., also Lafayette chapter, and Washington commandery, and in rank has attained the 32d degree. Genial, of ready wit, Mr. Smith is no less popular socially than he is successful in business, reflecting credit by his life on his family and state.
352
GEORGE A. FERNALD.
G EORGE ALPHEUS FERNALD, broker and member of Boston stock exchange, was born in East Concord, February 13. 1850, the son of Josiah and Mary E. (Austin) Fernald, and was educated in the public schools and at Penacook academy. He then entered the banking business with the National State Capital bank, and was later with the Loan and Trust Savings bank. For sixteen years and a half he was continuously connected with these banks. He was first a clerk in the National bank, beginning his duties as such in May, 1869. August 1, 1872, upon the formation of the Loan and Trust Savings bank, he was chosen its treasurer, and served the bank in that capacity, and also as a trustee and as clerk, until November 28, 1885, when he went to Boston and engaged in business for himself, under the firm name of George A. Fernald & Co., and has since continued there, residing meantime at Winchester, Mass. Mr. Fernald is a director in the Shoe and Leather National bank, and a trustee of the Home Savings bank in Boston, and a director in the Mount Washington railway. Mr. Fer- nald's removal from Concord was the occasion of much regret to his business associates, and suitable action was taken by them at that time, to express their high appreciation of his services and of his character. Of his services, it is enough to say that during his years as treasurer of the Loan and Trust Savings bank he saw its deposits grow from $500 to $1,800,000. And of his success in a new field, it is enough to say that confidence followed him.
353
HON. CHARLES A. PILLSBURY.
C HARLES ALFRED PILLSBURY was born in Warner, October 3, 1842, the son of George A. Pillsbury and Margaret S. (Carle- . ton ) Pillsbury. He was educated in the Concord High school, at New London academy, and at Dartmouth college, graduating in 1863. He at once entered upon a business career, first at Montreal, which he soon abandoned, however, and betook himself to Minnesota, where he em- barked in the milling business, under the firm name of C. A. Pillsbury & Co., in connection with his father, Hon. George A. Pillsbury, and his uncle, Hon. John S. Pillsbury, adding, later on, his younger brother, Fred C. Pillsbury, and building up the largest milling establishment in the world, adopting first the most improved processes, and winning the most faithful and ingenious service of their employés by a practical sys- tem of profit-sharing, the first to be adopted upon any large scale in America. To this enterprise Mr. Pillsbury has been the guiding spirit. His sagacious brain foresaw the possibilities of his business, his unerr- ing commercial instinct has led him to seize the advantages as they have appeared, and to him, more than to any other, is due the credit for having made his firm known throughout the world, a power upon every wheat exchange. Such a man as Mr. Pillsbury could not but become prominent in other lines than those connected with his own business, and we find him a prominent factor in many other enterprises ; railroads, banks, parks, real estate, elevators, all find in him a warm and generous friend and supporter. In politics, too, Mr. Pillsbury has made his mark, and for ten years, ending in 1887, he sat in the state senate of Minne- sota. Yet in the midst of all his success he has not forgotten the place of his birth. His native town remembers him with gratitude and re- counts his benefactions ; the church that he attended during his life in Concord calls him blessed, and hundreds of isolated interests throughout the country attest the benevolence of his nature.
354
HON. WALTER H. SANBORN.
H ON. WALTER HENRY SANBORN of St. Paul, Minn., judge of the United States circuit court of appeals in the Eighth judicial circuit, which has jurisdiction over the ten states, Minne- sota, lowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado, North Dakota, South Da- kota, and Wyoming, and the four territories, New Mexico, Utah, Okla- homa, and the Indian Territory, was born in Epsom, October 19, 1845, and is the son of Hon. Henry F. Sanborn of that town. He was edu- cated at Epsom and Pittsfield, and at Dartmouth college, where he was graduated in 1867 at the head of his class, although he had taught school five terms during his college course. From 1867 to 1870 he was principal of the high school at Milford, and studied law with Hon. Bainbridge Wadleigh. In March, 1870, he removed to St. Paul, was admitted to the bar, and formed a partnership with his uncle. Gen. John B. Sanborn, in 1871, which continued until he was elevated to the bench, on February 10, 1892, by President Harrison. In 1874 he married Emily F. Bruce of Milford. In his twenty-one years of prac- tice he was an attorney in more than four thousand law suits and rose to the highest rank among the lawyers of the Northwest. He was a member of the city council of St. Paul for nine years, and it was under his leadership that the rapid transit system of that city was established and developed. He was treasurer of the state bar association from its foundation until 1893. In 1890 he was president of the St. Paul Bar association and of the Union League of St. Paul. He is one of the most eminent Masons in the state of Minnesota and was elected grand commander of the Knights Templar of that state in 1889. Ilis high intellectual endowments, untiring energy, and genial temperament ren- dered him eminent in all his undertakings and have already elevated him at the early age of forty-six to a judicial position inferior only to that of justice of the supreme court of the United States. The sons of New Hampshire win no laurels she does not share.
355
1
HON. JOHN W. JEWELL.
H ON. JOHN WOODMAN JEWELL was born in Strafford, July 26, 1831, the son of Milton Jewell and Nancy (Colley) Jewell. His educational advantages were limited, and he early learned to labor. When but five years of age he was at work in his father's tan-yard, and at the age of eighteen, having thoroughly learned the trade, began life for himself, expending the first money that he earned for tuition at Gil- manton academy. He then, through the summers, worked for three years in a steam saw-mill, and taught school during the winters, attend- ing school at Strafford seminary in the intervals. In 1853 he entered the employ of S. A. & B. F. Haley, of Newmarket, and remained there a year, and then returned to his native town to enter the employ of Hon. B. W. Jenness, whom he succeeded in business in 1864, and since that time has been a leading business man of the town. He has been very suc- cessful, and is wonderfully popular. His counsel has been sought on every important topic, and his sagacious advice has been followed in political and business matters. He has been for years one of the wheel- horses of the Democracy in this state, and has been honored with many a political office. He has filled every position within the gift of the people of Strafford. For two years he was sheriff of Strafford county, for ten years he was postmaster of his town, and for several years was a member of the Democratic state committee. In 1885 he took his seat in the executive council, and served until 1887, having previously sat in the legislature in 1862. Mr. Jewell was married, in 1853, to Miss Sarah Folsom Gale, of Upper Gilmanton (now Belmont), N. H., by whom he has three children, two daughters and one son. The son, John Herbert Jewell, is a very popular, energetic, and capable young man, who for the past twelve years has been associated with his father in business, under the firm name of J. W. Jewell & Son.
356
COL. DAVID L. JEWELL.
D AVID LYMAN JEWELL was born in Tamworth, January 26, 1837, the son of Bradbury and Lucinda (Chapman) Jewell. His father died when young David was four years of age, and his mother soon after removed to the factory village of Newton Upper Falls, Mass .. where he attended the common schools, beginning at the age of nine. however, to work in the factory. Having familiarized himself with the details of mill work, he at the age of seventeen entered a machine shop. and his mechanical taste and ingenuity were rewarded by rapid advance- ment. His educational limits, however, caused him to leave this work to attend school, first at Wesleyan academy, Wilbraham, Mass .. and afterward in the Normal school at Bridgewater. Following his graduation, he was for three years a school teacher in New Jersey and in New York, at the same time pursuing the study of engineering and sur- veying. At the outbreak of the war he laid aside the theodolite to become manager of the Newton mills, where as a boy he commenced his life-work, and while employed here he was engaged by the Pembroke mills as a draughtsman in the erection of the Webster and China mills. at Suncook. While he was thus engaged, the agent of the mills died. and Colonel Jewell was chosen to take his place, and has followed the fortunes of the corporation ever since. In social life, Colonel Jewell stands high ; he is a member of the New Hampshire club, was aide upon Governor Head's staff, was elected, in 1888. commander of the Amos- keag Veterans, is an active member of the Ancient and Honorable Artil- lery company, of Boston, and of the New Hampshire Veterans' associ- ation. He is a man of wide culture, of artistic tastes, with a rare combination of great executive ability and ardent ethical impulses. Colonel Jewell possesses a charming combination of characteristics, and through them all shines the pure light of a gentlemanly soul ; his pres- ence is eagerly sought in all circles, and always graciously welcomed.
357
WILLIAM FERNALD HEAD.
W TILLIAM FERNALD HEAD was born at Hooksett, Septem-
ber 25, 1832, and is the son of Col. John Head and Anna Brown. His education was obtained in the schools of Hooksett and at
the Pembroke Gymnasium, and at the age of twenty he went into busi- ness in partnership with his brother, Gov. Natt Head, in the manufac- to speak more fully of this business which, under the name of W. F.
ture of brick, which partnership continued for more than thirty years and was terminated only by the death of his brother. It is pardonable Head & Son, now manufactures annually from the celebrated Head clay-
bank from six to ten millions of the famous Hooksett brick. In addi- tion to the cares entailed by this business, Mr. Head is also a director in the Merrimack River Savings bank, and of the First National bank at Manchester; is a director in the Suncook Valley railroad, and is vice-president of the Head & Dowst company, Manchester, builders
and contractors. In politics, Mr. Head has held few offices, his busi- ness cares compelling him to withold attention from political allure- ments. In 1870 and 1871 he was a member of the state house of rep-
many years prominent in Masonic circles. In 1863 he became a mem- resentatives, and in 1876 was a member of the constitutional conven- tion, since which time he has held no office. Mr. Head has been for
ber of Eureka lodge, Concord, and was a charter member of Jewell lodge of Suncook. He is also a member of the council, the chapter, and the commandery at Manchester. Mr. Head is a representative business man of New Hampshire. His success has lain in his ability
to perceive and develop the natural opportunities offered by the state, nor has his success been less marked by his ability in studying the market. Though producing a staple, he has yet been careful in its production, has regulated the supply by the demand, and has looked to it that for integrity and honor neither he nor his firm should be outdone.
358
EUGENE S. HEAD.
N TUMBERED among the busiest of New Hampshire's young men is Eugene S. Head, of Hooksett, who was born in that town, June 1, 1863, the son of William F. Head and Mary H. (Sargent) Head. Mr. Head was educated at Pembroke academy and at Dartmouth college. Upon the completion of his education Mr. Head entered upon an active business career as a member of the firm of W. F. Head & Son, brick and lumber manufacturers, one of the largest concerns in the state, and in addition to the increasing duties placed upon him by reason of his connection with this firm, also maintains an interest in various other financial enterprises-as a director in the People's Fire Insurance company, the Head & Dowst company, of Manchester. and the savings bank department of the Merrimack Mortgage company, of the same city. In 1891 Mr. Head sat in the legislature as a member from his town, and was reckoned among the most faithful members of that body. Mr. Head has been a member of the Republican state com- mittee for some time, giving to his party such service as to merit the praise of his friends. He is a 32º Mason, and a member of Aleppo temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Amoskeag Veterans. He was married, November 19, 1884, to Hattie M., daughter of Amos and Harriet Hoit, of Allenstown, and has two children. Mr. Head's life has been filled with reward won by his activity. Ilis business inter- ests, though extended and varied, meet careful attention from him. by reason of his capacity. In all positions that he has been called upon to fill, Mr. Head has never failed to score a distinct success, and his youth insures to him still greater success in the future.
359
CAPT. NORRIS C. GAULT.
C APT. NORRIS COCHRAN GAULT was born at Hooksett, May 11, 1838, the son of Matthew Gault and Dolly Doe (Coch- · ran) Gault. He was educated in the schools of Hooksett and at Pembroke academy, and passed his youth until his sixteenth year upon the farm of his father. The next five years saw him employed in a brick- yard, and in February, 1862, he went to Chicago, where he became a clerk in the employ of the Galena & Northwestern railroad. Three years' railroading sufficed, however, and he returned to his homestead in Hooksett in 1865, and for nine years again busied himself with farming. In 1867 he represented his town in the legislature. From 1874 to 1884 he was employed as an expert brick-burner, in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, and in 1884 began the manufacture of brick at Barrington, where he has developed a business of 2,500,000 annually. Mr. Gault comes of sturdy New Hampshire stock. The farm on which he lives was taken up by Samuel Gault, in 1721 or 1722. The "Gault Garrison" was the first house built in the vicinity. The farm has always remained in the Gault name. He joined the New Hampshire National Guard in 1866, and served through the different gradations until he was commissioned captain of Company A, Amos- keag Veterans, February 22, 1871. In the town of Hooksett, where he
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