USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > One hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Boscawen and Webster, Merrimack Co., N.H., August 16, 1883. Also births recorded on the town records from 1733 to 1850 > Part 12
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > One hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Boscawen and Webster, Merrimack Co., N.H., August 16, 1883. Also births recorded on the town records from 1733 to 1850 > Part 12
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Repeated nominations and elections of any citizen by his friends and neighbors to local offices, not in any way improp- erly procured, but conferred solely from popular esteem and desire, must be taken to indicate ability and true excellence. Mr. Kimball not only held the elective offices already men- tioned, but was, for eleven successive years from 1861, moder- ator of ward 5, Concord, and was elected a member of the con- stitutional convention of 1876, in which he was chairman of the committee on finance. He was, in November, ISSo, chosen state senator by the larger constituency comprised within the principal wards in Concord ; and at the meeting of the legisla- ture, in June, 1881, he was, by general consent of his party as- sociates, selected for president of the senate, in rank the second officer in the state. The duties of this high position he per- formed creditably, with courtesy and dignity, and to the satis- faction of his fellow-members, as indicated by their unanimous resolution and their speeches of approval of the 18th of August, which were accompanied by an appropriate testimonial of their good-will.
Additional trusts reposed in him have been the presidency of the Concord Gas-Light Company ; his appointment, by Mr. Chief-Justice Doe, as one of the trustees of the Manchester & Keene Railroad ; the treasurerships of the New Hampshire
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Bible Society and the Orphans' Home ; the settlement and management of many estates of persons deceased, and of bene- ficiaries of all kinds, the amounts now in his care reaching sev- eral hundred thousand dollars. The trusted citizen, banker, and friend, to whom is so freely committed the property of widows and orphans, can possess no higher evidence of integ- rity and worth.
In person Mr. Kimball is tall, erect, and of commanding presence ; well preserved at the age of sixty-four, in good health, and with good prospects for longevity. His modes of life are regular, and he is a total abstainer through conviction and habit. While firm and decided in his views, he is genial and courteous in personal intercourse. His mind has been well cultivated. He is a careful reader, with an inclination for gen- ealogical and historical research, and he writes and speaks with precision and effect. He is faithful in every relation of life, public and domestic, and is valued and beloved by his neigh- bors and friends.
In 1843 he joined the Congregational church in Boscawen, has continued his connection with that denomination, and is now a member of the South Congregational church in Concord. He is free from bigotry, pretence, and intolerance, is a just and good man, serving his God faithfully according to the light he possesses, performing his every duty, and bearing his every burden without complaint.
May 27, 1846, at the age of twenty-five, Mr. Kimball mar- ried Maria H. Phillips, of Rupert, Vt. Their only child, Clara Maria, born 20 March, 1848, married, 14 June, 1873, Mr. Augustine R. Ayers, a successful merchant in Concord. Six children-Ruth Ames, John Kimball, Helen McGregor, Joseph Sherburne, Josiah Phillips, and Augustine Haines- have been born to them. All are now living except Joseph Sherburne and Josiah Phillips.
BENJAMIN AMES KIMBALL,
The son of Benjamin and Ruth (Ames) Kimball, was born in Boscawen, 22 August, 1833. He received his preparatory ed- ucation at the high school in Concord, and at Prof. Hildreth's
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school in Derry. He entered the Chandler Scientific Depart- ment of Dartmouth college at the opening of that department of the college in 1851, to fit himself for his chosen profession of mechanical engineer. He acquitted himself with credit in all the branches prescribed in the course of study, and was es- pecially excellent in mathematics and draughting. His class was small, but it was composed of men who entered college with the purpose of making the most of themselves, and they worked with a will. He graduated with honor, 27 July, 1854, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science I Aug., 1854.
Mr. Kimball entered the employ of the Concord Railroad as draughtsman and machinist, and was promoted I April, 1856, to be foreman of the locomotive department. January 1, IS58, he succeeded his brother as master mechanic at the age of twenty-six years. He continued in this position until I April, 1865, when he resigned to become a member of the firm of Ford & Kimball, manufacturers of brass and iron castings. a business still successfully carried on by them. In 1870 he was elected a member of the house of representatives from ward 6, Concord, but declined a reelection in 1871.
He was a member of a special committee appointed by the city council of Concord, in IS71, to procure plans and specifi- cations for an aqueduct to bring a supply of water from Long Pond ; and in January following he was appointed a member of the board of water commissioners, to construct the works, sub- stantially upon the plan and under the ordinance submitted by that committee. He continued an active member of the board for six years, and was its president for three years. In 1876 he was elected a member of the constitutional convention to revise the constitution of the state, and proved an efficient and valu- able member of that assembly.
He has been connected with the banking interests of the city for many years. He was trustee and president of the Concord Savings Bank until compelled to resign by ill-health, and is trustee of the Merrimack County Savings Bank at this time. He has been a director of the Mechanicks National Bank from its organization, and is now its president. January 11, 1879, he was elected to fill the vacancy in the board of directors of the Concord Railroad, caused by the death of Onslow Stearns,
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and has since been closely connected with its system of roads. In November, ISS4, he was chosen councillor for the second district, and is now (1886) in office.
This is a brief but honorable record of one whose life has been devoted to industries and enterprises which are the source of general prosperity. He married Myra Tilton, daughter of Ira Elliott, of Sanbornton, 19 January, 1861. A son, Henry Ames, was born 19 October, 1864.
WILLIAM SMITH KIMBALL.
William Smith Kimball, of Rochester, N. Y., was born in Boscawen, 30 March, 1837. His father, Colonel William M. Kimball, was born in Canterbury, 4 Dec., 1SOS, and died in Minneapolis, Minn., 5 Oct., 1SS4. The father was for many years successfully connected with manufacturing interests in New Hampshire and Massachusetts ; was a quartermaster in the United States army in the civil war, serving in General Sibley's expedition against the Sioux Indians, and afterwards was an agent of the treasury department of the general govern- ment for superintending the erection and repair of public build- ings. The mother of the subject of this sketch was, before mar- riage, Miss Lucy Jane, daughter of Reuben and Judith (Hall) Johnson ; was married 8 Jan., 1835, and is living in Minne- apolis.
From his parents the son inherited strength of mind, active and industrious habits, and valuable New England traits of character, that go far in laying the foundation for success and usefulness in after-life. He was educated in the public schools of Lawrence, Mass., Prof. Hildreth's academy in Derry, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N. Y., qualifying himself in the latter for the profession of mechanical engineer. 7 Oct., 1858, he was married to Miss Marion Elizabeth, daugh- ter of the late Hon. Rufus Keeler, of Rochester, which city has since been his home. In IS62-'63 he was master mechanic of the United States naval machine works at Port Royal, S. C. Subsequently he entered into business in Rochester as the head of the firm of W. S. Kimball & Co., tobacco manufacturers.
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His energy, enterprise, and marked executive ability soon made the establishment one of the most extensive of the kind in the United States. It now employs more than a thousand per- sons, while its productions are widely celebrated in America and foreign countries. The firm had a contract for supplying tobacco and cigarettes for the French government.
Mr. Kimball's business capacity has gained him large wealth, which he dispenses with a most liberal hand. His home is one of the finest in the state, no expense having been spared to ren- der it beautiful with embellishments, rare books, paintings, and other works of art. Mr. Kimball's elder son, Harold Chand- ler, possessing preeminent talent for music, the father has placed in his residence an organ of great power and brilliancy, built by the celebrated Roosevelt of New York city, having 2,350 pipes. Some of the stops were made in Paris. Connected with Mr. Kimball's mansion are extensive grounds and floral gar- dens, whose fame is known throughout the country. His col- lection of orchids is the third largest in America, while in the rarity and great value of some of the specimens it is second to none in the United States.
In financial circles he has an eminent and well deserved rank. He is an officer in numerous corporations, including that of di- rector in the Commercial National Bank, and trustee in the Rochester Savings-Bank.
In civil affairs he has no aspiration for preferment, and has many times refused the use of his name as a candidate for political offices. In religious belief, he is a Presbyterian. As a citizen, he is public-spirited, generous, and exceedingly popular, while in social life he has a host of true and appreciative friends. Of commanding figure and fine personal presence, his frank and manly countenance reflects the virtues and powers that have enabled him to achieve so great a measure of success.
His first wife having died, he married, second, Miss Laura Page, daughter of the late David Mitchell, of Rochester, by whom he has had two children, Cecilia and Ernest. Mr. Kim- ball is a second cousin of Hon. John Kimball, ex-mayor of Con- cord, and of Hon. Benjamin A. Kimball, of that city, a member of the governor's council, and has many other relatives and friends in New Hampshire.
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ARTHUR LITTLE.
Arthur Little, son of Simeon B. Little, was born in the house now occupied by Sherman Little, in Webster. 24 May, IS37. His early years were passed on the farm, with attendance at the district school during the brief terms of summer and winter. He became a student at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden. where he fitted for college, graduating from that institution in 1856. He entered Dartmouth the same year. and graduated from that institution in 1861. His twin brother Luther fitted for college at the same institution, entering college a year later, but died 19 July, IS58.
While in college, Arthur Little manifested qualities of char- acter which won the respect of his fellow-students, and the high esteem of the officers of the institution. The training of his early years, the sterling integrity, the geniality of his disposi- tion, made him a universal favorite. While in college. he de- cided to prepare for the ministry. Possibly the death of his brother may have given direction to his choice of a profession, and intensified his purpose.
He engaged in academical work in 1861, in Thetford and Black River academies, Vermont, entering Andover Theologi- cal Seminary the following winter, and Princeton, N. J., 1862. He was ordained as a minister of the gospel 16 March, 1863, in the Congregational meeting-house. Webster, and three days later received his commission as chaplain of the First Vermont heavy artillery. The regiment was detached for garrison duty at Washington. He was married to Laura Elizabeth Frost, of Thetford, Vt., 15 August, 1863, in the Church of the Epiphany, Washington, D. C. The regiment performed garrison duty till May, 1864, when it joined the army of the Potomac at Spottsylvania, becoming engaged soon after its arrival upon the ground. From Spottsylvania to Petersburg, through the Shen- andoah valley campaign, in 1865, to the final scene at Appo- mattox, where the rebel army surrendered, the chaplain was with the regiment, performing arduous service as nurse, preach- er, minister, and consolator. This service brought him in con- tact with men from every walk in life.
It was a preparatory school of a high order for his life-work.
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He was mustered out 4 July, 1865, returning at once to Ando- ver seminary to continue his theological studies. On 3 January, 1866, he was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church in Bedford, N. H., and accepted the pastorate of the Congrega- tional church in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 2 November, 186S, where he remained ten years, till called to the pastorate of the New England church, Chicago, 26 December, 1877. It was a ministry marked with preeminent success, attended by large additions to the church.
During the years of his pastorates he has been called upon to occupy responsible and honorable positions,-as moderator of the Wisconsin Congregational and Presbyterian Convention, the Illinois State Association, and the National Council of Con- gregational churches held in Concord, N. H., 18S3. With a commanding presence, a clear, resonant voice, an intimate ac- quaintance with parliamentary rules, and that keen tact which waits an opportunity in the despatch of business, he has but few equals as a presiding officer.
On Sunday, 21 January, 1883, he suffered a bereavement in the sudden and unexpected death of Mrs. Little. The following summer was spent in Europe. He was present at the meeting of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, as repre- sentative of the Congregational church of the United States. He has delivered many addresses before colleges, universities, and conventions. He is deeply interested in the New West commission, which has in view the education of the people of the territories, and has been elected president of the Chicago Congregational Club for ISS6. He has one child-a daughter, May Brant Little, born 19 June, 1867. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth college, ISSO.
Occupying one of the prominent pulpits of the country, he is called upon for much service outside of his pastoral work, which is ever freely rendered, with no expectation of reward except that which comes from a consciousness of duty per- formed. He finds pleasure in expressing his high sense of ob- ligation, especially to the long line of ancestry which has al- ways been on the side of righteousness. His life-work is ever before him, and to its accomplishment he directs every faculty.
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EPHRAIM PLUMMER.
The ancestors of Ephraim Plummer came from England in 1663, and settled in Newbury, Mass. His grandfather, Bit- field Plummer, one of the early settlers of Boscawen, married Priscilla Richardson, of Chester, October, 1769. He was a signer of the people's declaration of independence before that of the continental congress was issued, and upon the evacuation of Long Island by General Washington responded to the call for additional troops, and served for a time in the Continental army. His son Ephraim was born 1771, married Rachel Choate Cogswell, 31 May, 1792, lived on the homestead in Bos- cawen, and died 6 May, 1793, three months before the birth of his son Ephraim, the subject of the present sketch, who was born 29 August, 1793.
The mother of Ephraim was a native of Essex, Mass., rela- tive of Rufus Choate, a woman of rare qualities of character, of discriminating mind, and marked ability. To the future of her only child she bent all her energies. With the heritage of toil, the son had the benefit of a better education than sometimes falls to the lot of boys in his condition. The years of his child- hood were uneventful, so too the earlier years of manhood, only as the external influences and processes of thought devel- oped the man of a logical turn of mind, a sincere respecter of law, loyal to his convictions, and of undoubted integrity. He was a person of quick sensibilities, frank and hospitable. He
gave with liberal hand for school and church. Unassuming, he never desired place or influence in public affairs. His time was devoted to the cultivation of the farm.
He married Lucy, daughter of Henry Gerrish, of Boscawen, II Jan., 1821, who was the efficient counterpart to whatever of success that came to him. . He died 20 July, IS72.
Children.
Polly Little, b. 23 November, 1821, m. Henry L. Dodge, 17 June, 1841.
Abiel Gerrish, b. 24 May, 1824, m. Kate Baughman, 5 June, 1855.
Priscilla Parsons, b. 28 May, 1826, m. Luther Gage, 2 March, 1859. Helen Elizabeth, b. 26 March, 1834.
Frances Ann, b. 18 November, 1837, m. Albert Reed, 5 June, 1864.
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HENRY PEARSON ROLFE.
Henry Pearson Rolfe was born in Boscawen, February 13, IS21. His father, Benjamin Rolfe, was also a native of Bos- cawen. His grandparents on his father's side, Benjamin and Lydia Pierson Rolfe, came from Newbury, Mass., immediate- ly after the close of the French war, and settled on the frontier in Boscawen, near the Salisbury line.
His mother, Margaret Searle Rolfe. was the daughter of Rev. Jonathan Searle, the first settled minister of Salisbury. His grandmother, on the maternal side, was the daughter of Jethro Sanborn, a sea-captain, of Sandown, who, to feed our suffering soldiers at Valley Forge, gave a large share of his fortune in exchange for depreciated Continental money, which became worthless, and for which the government never made any re- turn to him or to his heirs. Several thousand dollars of this irredeemable scrip came into the possession of the mother of the subject of this sketch, Margaret Searle.
The mother of Mr. Rolfe and Daniel Webster were both pupils of Master Tappan, and for a time were schoolmates. She graduated from Atkinson academy when it was in charge of the then famous Prof. Vose, and after that was a teacher for nine years. She was teaching in Mr. Webster's school-district when he returned from his school in Fryeburg. A friendship sprang up between them, and she loved to rehearse, in later years, to her children, how Webster unfolded to her all his struggles and ambitions, and his fixed purpose never to be guil- ty of an unworthy act.
Mr. Rolfe was raised on a farm, and his parents being poor, his education, till his tenth year, was limited to six months yearly in the district school. From ten to sixteen he was al- lowed only three months of schooling, during the winter terms. The winter of his sixteenth and seventeenth year he spent in the woods with his father, driving a lumber team. From that time till he was twenty years of age, he enjoyed only nineteen weeks of schooling,-five at Franklin and fourteen at Salisbury academy.
Such privileges seem scanty in our day, and yet such were his powers of acquisition that at eighteen we find young Rolfe
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teaching his first district school. an employment which he fol- lowed for nine successive winters with unvarying and ever- growing success.
When nineteen. the family moved to Hill. in this state. In 1841, when twenty years of age. he began his preparation for college at New Hampton. He spent three years in the pre- paratory course, and entered Dartmouth college in 1844. Being obliged to depend upon his own efforts to secure the necessary means to defray the expense of his education. he taught school during the winters of his preparatory and collegiate courses. For several successive seasons he was employed upon Cape Cod, but during his sophomore and junior years he taught for five months each year at Dartmouth. Mass., and three months of his senior year in the same school.
When in attendance upon the college. Mr. Rolfe was excep- tionally punctual in the discharge of all his duties. During his senior year he was never absent from a recitation, lecture, or other exercise. He asked for no excuse, and met every requi- sition. Such a record is unusual in college classes, and perhaps stood alone in his own. Mr. Rolfe's student-life was eminently successful, both in the acquisition of mental discipline and scholarly attainments. In IS4S he graduated from Dartmouth with the highest respect of the faculty and the warmest attach- ment of his classmates.
Although compelled to be absent. teaching. five months dur- ing the first three years of his collegiate course, upon his gradu- ation he received this special commendation from the president of the institution :
"DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, July 25, 1848.
"This may certify that Mr. Henry P. Rolfe is a graduate of the present year at this college. He is a highly respected student. His course has been re- markably correct and exemplary. It gives me pleasure to commend him as a good scholar and an upright man. He is a well qualified teacher, and worthy of the confidence and patronage of any who may have occasion for his ser- vices."
After a few weeks of rest he entered the law-office of Hon. Asa Fowler, of Concord, on the 21st of September, and, after two years and a half of study, was admitted to the bar in May, 1851. On admission to the bar he immediately opened an office
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in Concord, and step by step advanced in professional strength and standing, till, in 1869, he was appointed United States attorney for the district of New Hampshire by President Grant, and discharged the responsible and exacting duties of the office vigorously, ably, and conscientiously for five years.
During the years 1852 and 1853 he was a member of the board of education for Concord, and served as chairman of the board the last year. He was also elected as a Democrat to rep- resent the town in the legislature of 1853. He was again sent to the legislature, as a Republican, to represent Ward 5 in the city of Concord, during the stormy years of 1863 and 1864. This was during the period of war, when the government called for the services of its ablest and most trusted citizens.
In 1859 and 1860 he was the Democratic candidate for state senator from his district, and during the latter was candidate for presidential elector for the same party on the Douglas ticket. In 1866 he was appointed postmaster of Concord by Andrew Johnson, but his commission was withheld because he refused to assist in electing Democrats to congress.
In 1878, Gov. Prescott made Mr. Rolfe a member of the com- mission to take testimony, and report to the legislature what legislation was necessary to protect the citizens in the vicinity of Lake Winnipiseogee against the encroachments of the Lake Company. An investigation was had, and a report made by the commission ; and where constant complaint had been made, not a murmur of dissatisfaction has since been heard.
This is no ordinary record, and is the evidence of solid merit. Mr. Rolfe has been a patient student, a sound lawyer, and a strong advocate. A good cause is safe in his hands, if a suit at law can be said to be safe in any hands. He has often been called to speak before assemblies of his fellow-citizens, political and otherwise. On such occasions he always impresses his hearers with the extent and accuracy of his information, and with his strong and sterling good sense. Mr. Rolfe believes what he says, and says what he believes. His friendships are strong, and he is slow to see faults in those whom he loves.
On the 22d of November, 1853, he married Mary Rebecca Sherburn, daughter of Robert H. Sherburn, of Concord, by whom he has had five children, as follows :
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I. Marshall Potter Rolfe, b. 29 September, 1854; d. 6 August, 1862.
2. Margarett Florence, b. 12 January, 1858 ; d. 2 May, 1858.
3. Henrietta Maria, b. 17 January, 1861 ; d. 22 September, 1862.
4: Robert Henry, b. 16 October, 1863.
5. George Hamilton, b. 24 December, 1866.
The fourth child, Robert Henry, is now a graduate of Dart- mouth college, class of 1884; and George Hamilton, a lad of eighteen, is pursuing his studies at the Holderness School for Boys, in Holderness, N. H.
In the spring of ISS2, Mr. Rolfe nearly lost his life from the kick of a vicious horse. The result of this terrible accident has been the loss of his right eye and a complete prostration of his nervous system, from which he has been slowly recovering. He has not yet regained his former vigor and elasticity, but the original force of his constitution and the sleepless care of his most estimable wife are gradually bringing him back to his pro- fessional duties and power. He is resuming his practice, which at the time of his injury was quite lucrative.
This brief sketch of life and character has been drawn by an impartial though friendly hand, and it gives us no ordinary man. Mr. Rolfe is a man of large frame and unusual gifts of mind. He has led an active, successful life, but, in the judg- ment of the writer, has never yet brought the full strength of his faculties into action. He has a reserve of power which it is hoped the future may give him an opportunity to use.
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PUBLICATION OF PROCEEDINGS.
The committee appointed to prepare and publish the pro- ceedings of the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anni- versary of the settlement of the town of Boscawen, met at the call of the president, Isaac K. Gage, Esq., at his office in Pena- cook, in Boscawen, Nov. 30, 1883. There were present Messrs. Isaac K. Gage, John Kimball, Benj. A. Kimball, Nathaniel S. Webster, Charles H. Amsden, Charles C. Coffin, Henry H. Gerrish, Dr. E. E. Graves, and J. C. Pearson.
J. C. Pearson was chosen secretary.
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Voted, To publish as soon as may be a full and complete record of the proceedings at the anniversary, adding such other matter as may be necessary to complete the history of the town to the present time. Charles C. Coffin was selected to edit the work.
Voted, That Benjamin A. Kimball be a committee on illus- trations for the book.
Voted, That John Kimball and Isaac K. Gage be a commit- tee to see to the printing and binding of the book.
Agreed, To mutually share any deficiency, should such occur, which may be found to exist after all the copies of the book are sold that can be.
Voted, To meet again at the call of the chair.
Adjourned.
J. C. PEARSON, Secretary. Boscawen, Nov. 30, ISS3.
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