USA > New Hampshire > Sketches of successful New Hampshire men > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Of the children of Bezaleel Barton, 2d, and Hannah (Powers) Barton, Levi Winter was b. March 1, 1818.
The father, a man of marked social qualities, and frank and genial in his bearing, died before the son had reached his majority, and previous to this busi- ness had taken the father from home, so that most of the responsibilities of the family rested upon the mother. But it is no idle pun upon her maiden name to say that she was a power in that household. She exercised a healthful and unchallenged discipline. Her intuitive vision saw every material necessity of the family ; her unsurpassed executive capacity was equal to every demand ; and, what is quite as essential to the formation of a symmetrical character, her moral and religious precepts and example compelled a recognition of the claims of God and man. The sick and the poor of her neighborhood were often greatly indebted to her for the wisdom of her counsels, the abundance of her alms-deeds, and the warmth of her sympathy. Universally venerated and esteemed, she died in Croydon, Sept. 14, 1881, aged 86 years.
Inheriting the best qualities of such an ancestry, molded and inspired by such a mother, and in boyhood acquiring his fiber in the severe but practical school of tireless industry, rigid economy, and heroic self-denial and self-reliance, we might anticipate for Mr. Barton a character and a career which would place him among the best and foremost citizens of his state, and entitle him to an important chapter in its history. We hazard nothing when we say that he has made that anticipation a reality, and that he has afforded us another conspicuous exam- ple of what the humblest may achieve under the fostering genius of republican institutions.
His district-school education, often interrupted by demands upon his manval labor, consisted of ten brief winter terms. At eighteen he assumed the respon-
53
HON. LEVI WINTER BARTON.
sibility of his own education and support. He had no money, but he had what is better, courage and muscle. He went to work. His books were always near by, so that, whenever there was a leisure moment, "the horny hands of toil" would grasp and his hungry mind would feast upon them. He would brook no discouragements. No hours were allowed to run to waste. Often on rainy days he would call on his old friend, John Cooper, Esq., to receive instruction. These efforts, supplemented by a term under Dr. Miner of Boston, qualified him to teach in the common schools. But for awile he devoted himself chiefly to farming.
At twenty-one he married Miss Mary A. Pike, one of Newport's worthiest young ladies. She died the next year, leaving an infant son, Col. Ira McL. Barton, now deceased The death of his wife was a severe blow to one in whose nature the domestic element is so marked. With the light of his home gone out, and with his life-plan destroyed, he seemed almost paralyzed for a time. But the bent steel of his intense personality was sure to react. The second year after this bereavement he entered Kimball Union Academy, to pursue a classical course under that distinguished teacher, Dr. Cyrus Richards. Having but one hundred dollars when he entered, he was compelled to teach winters and to toil with his hands during the summer vacations ; but his uncompromising zeal carried him successfully through the three years' course. We cannot repress our admira- tion for the young man whom neither bereavement nor poverty could crush, but who, in spite of the most disheartening circumstances, earns the right to stand in the front rank with his most brilliant competitors. This he did.
In the same spirit, and still relying upon his own exertions for means, he entered Dartmouth College in 1844, and honorably graduated in 1848. His oration, on graduation, was highly commended by the public journals of the day. At the commencement and close of the terms, he would make the journeys to and from college, twenty-one miles, on foot. During his senior year he studied law with Hon. Daniel Blaisdell of Hanover.
After graduating, Mr. Barton taught five terms in the Canaan Academy, and at the same time was a law student with Judge Kittredge. During this period he was appointed postmaster of Canaan. In the early part of 1851 he left Canaan, and completed his legal studies with Messrs. Metcalf & Corbin of Newport, and was there admitted to the bar in the July following. In 1854 he formed a law partnership with Hon. Ralph Metcalf, which continued until Mr. Metcalf was elected governor. He then became the law partner of Shepherd L. Bowers, Esq., with whom he was associated until 1859. Notwith- standing his extensive law practice, Mr. Barton has been engaged, to a consider- able extent, in building, farming, stock-raising, and fruit-growing. No man with equal means has contributed more to the growth and permanent improvement of the village of Newport. None have done more by their own personal industry to convert rough fields into attractive streets, luxuriant gardens, and pleasant homes. Taught from childhood to cultivate the soil, he has, all along through his busy life, found his highest enjoyment in turning aside from the turmoil of professional labors to the more genial occupation of agricultural pursuits.
As evidence of his superior legal abilities, and of the public esteem in which he is held, we point to the following record : He was register of deeds for Sul- livan county from 1855 to 1857, inclusive ; county solicitor from 1859 to 1864 ; representative to the state legislature in 1863, 1864, 1875, 1876, and 1877; and state senator in 1867 and 1868. During all these seven years of service in both houses, he was a member of the judiciary committee, and for five years its chair- man. In 1866 he was chairman of the board of commissioners appointed to audit the war debt of the state. In 1876 he was a member of the convention which revised the state constitution ; and was chosen Republican elector of presi- dent and vice-president of the United States. Gov. Harriman appointed him
54
HON. LEVI WINTER BARTON.
bank commissioner, but he declined the office. Gov. Prescott appointed him, in 1877, one of the commissioners to revise and codify the statutes of New Hampshire.
His many friends have fondly hoped to see him elected to congress. It is conceded that his abilities and his fidelity to important public trusts reveal his eminent fitness for such a position. But local divisions, for which he is in no way responsible, have thus far prevented his nomination. His name has come twice before the nominating conventions, and each time with a very flat- tering vote.
When Mr. Barton commenced the practice of law in Newport, he found there able rivals for the honors of the profession, whose reputations were well established. I cannot better express the truth than to use the language of a writer who, speaking of this period of his life, says :-
" The field seemed to be fully and ably occupied, but from the outset his success was assured. It immediately became apparent that he would bring to the discharge of the duties of his new position the same energy and devotion to principle which had hitherto characterized his actions. From that time to the present, he has enjoyed the confidence of the public. As counselor, he is cautious and careful, dissuading from, rather than urging on, litigation. As an advocate, he is eloquent, zealous, bold, and persistent. His faithfulness and devotion to the interests of his clients have often been a subject of remark."
Mr. Barton's legislative experience began in 1863, that intensely feverish period of the rebellion. The Democratic party was represented by its ablest orators and most skillful parliamentarians. They were artful, bitter, and des- perate. The majority could not afford to waste or misapply its resources. Com- petent leadership was essential to the utilization of the Republican strength. Fortunately this was found. It came from the ranks of the "raw recruits." Wary and watchful, alert and forcible, Mr. Barton promptly and successfully met the assaults of the opposition, and sometimes "carried the war into Africa." The house soon acknowledged his leadership, - a leadership which he maintained at the subsequent sessions. The soldiers will never forget his fearless advocacy of the measure allowing them to vote in the field. This cost him his re-appoint- ment as solicitor ; but he was not the man to sacrifice so sacred a principle for the loaves and fishes of office. In 1875 and 1876 he occupied the responsible position of chairman of the Republican legislative caucus. In the sessions of 1876 and 1877, the Manchester Mirror, Independent Stateman, and other papers spoke in the highest terms of his service, giving him the credit of punc- tual attendance, praiseworthy diligence, and of ably championing the best meas- ures that were enacted, and pointing him out as a probable candidate for the national congress. His long and able legislative experience has never been stained by political corruption, or by the betrayal of any moral question. John Cooper, Esq., in the Granite Monthly of May, 1879, has truthfully said : " Through all these years of political life he presents a record without a blemish." >
Mr. Barton is a man of well proportioned, commanding physique, and is well preserved by temperate living and total abstinence from all intoxicants and narcotics. He is also a man of fluent and agreeable speech, of fine conversa- tional powers, and is the inspiration of every social circle which he enters. At home as well as abroad, in private as well as in public life, he is the invariable advocate of every moral and social reform. He is an honor to the Masonic fra- ternity, whose principles he worthily represents. He is the warm and helpful friend of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he belongs ; but he has an
55
HON. LEVI WINTER BARTON.
unaffected contempt for all sectarian narrowness. His sense of justice is intuitive, his sympathy quick, and in its exercise he regards neither state nor condition. The destitute and forsaken always find in him a true friend. From boyhood he has been an avowed and uncompromising opposer of slavery, and of whatever oppresses the masses, whether white or black. If he sometimes asserts and main- tains his opinions with earnestness and warmth, he never does so with malice. In the advocacy of what he deems to be just, he is never turned aside by motives of self-interest.
In 1852 he married Miss Lizzie F. Jewett, of Hollis, - a cultured, christian lady. Her amiability, good sense, and force of character render her every way worthy of her distinguished husband. Their "silver wedding" was observed in 1877, and was honored by a large circle of friends. Besides other tokens of appreciation bestowed at that time, Hon. Edmund Burke presented, in behalf of the donors, an elegant silver service.
Their children are Herbert J., Florence F., Natt L., and Jesse M. The eldest son, Herbert J. Barton, was born September 27, 1853. He prepared for college at Tilton, and graduated at Dartmouth in the class of 1876. He has taught with great success in Providence, R. I., also for two years as principal in the Newport high school, and, still later, as principal in the high school of Waukegan, Ill. In 1881 he was admitted to the bar of Illinois at Chicago, and is now associated in practice with his father. He married, August 21, 1877, Miss Sarah L. Dodge, daughter of Leander F. Dodge of Newport, a very intel- ligent and worthy young lady. The son has many of the elements which have contributed to the father's success, and we expect his native state will hear from him. Florence F. graduated from the Newport high school in 1881, and is a young lady of fine promise.
In conclusion we remark, Mr. Barton stands well at home. Conscious of his personal integrity and of the worthiness of his aims, his well earned honors clus- tering thickly upon him, beloved by his family and community, and cheered by the favor of Providence, he may with great propriety congratulate himself that he has not lived in vain. And as his physical and intellectual forces seem not in the least abated, we may fondly hope that his fellow-citizens may for many years to come enjoy the benefits of his practical wisdom and patriotic devotion; and that his posterity may as nobly sustain the name of Barton as he has the names of those from whom he descended.
HON. RODNEY WALLACE.
RODNEY WALLACE, of Fitchburg, Mass., was born in New Ipswich, N. H., December 21, 1823. He is the son of David and Roxanna Wallace, who spent the latter years of life at Rindge in the same state.
Whether the family is of English or Scotch origin is extremely difficult to decide. If the orthography of the last century is correct, then it is English; if not, Scotch. The point possesses more genealogical than real importance. Peo- ple are free to change their names as they list, and have always exercised that privilege ; and under either garb the name has been borne by noble and distin- guished men in the Old World.
The first of this family who came to this country settled in Ipswich, Mass. Benoni Wallis removed from this place to Lunenburg, Mass., and there married, on the 2d of July, 1755, Rebecca Brown, of Lynn. They continued to reside in Lunenburg until her death, August 25, 1790. He died March 15, 1792. David Wallis, son of Benoni, was born October 10, 1760. He married Susannah Conn, and died in Ashburnham, January 14, 1842. David Wallace, son of David and Susannah (Conn) Wallis, was born in Ashburnham, July 14, 1797. He mar- ried, July 8, 1821, Roxanna Gowen, of New Ipswich, and removed to Rindge in 1846, where he died May 29, 1857. She died in Fitchburg, February 27, 1876. In the exercise of his own right and discretion, he restored what he doubtless held to be the original spelling of his name, and always wrote it Wallace.
Rodney Wallace, when twelve years of age, went from home to work upon a farm for the sum of forty dollars for the first year, with the privilege of attend- ing school eight weeks in the winter; and from this time until arriving at the age of twenty he worked for wages, attending school from eight to ten weeks in the winter. His education was thus acquired, during the few winter months, in the common country schools of that time. From the age of twenty until his removal to Fitchburg, he was employed and intrusted with business for the late Dr. Stephen Jewett, of Rindge, N. H.
In 1853 he removed to Fitchburg and became a member of the firm of Shepley & Wallace, wholesale dealers in books, stationery, etc., which firm, under this name and the name of R. Wallace & Co., became one of the best known firms in this line of business in New England. After several years of successful management of that business, he withdrew from the firm, engaged in the manufacture of paper, and connected himself with several other manufactur- ing interests in Fitchburg. In whatever interest Mr. Wallace has been engaged, he has not only been fortunate in its pecuniary issues, but also in the speedy command of the confidence and respect of his associates. True moral principle has been united with unquestioned probity, business tact, and liberal, intelligent management, and he is held in high estimation, both as a citizen and as a friend. His usefulness has been approved by long, earnest, and efficient service ; and his liberality, by unostentatious but generous donations to the support of many laud- able undertakings.
Rodney Wallace
A
AA
נכי
,
بـ
A
A
ے
نب
> >
٠٦
,
ر
,
AAA
a COC
C. c f
C
ע
4
C
€
VV
V
ب
CCC
1
€
1
C
-
€
C
ب
C LCC ب
ب
ب
C €
57
HON. RODNEY WALLACE.
In 1865, Mr. Wallace entered into the business of manufacturing paper with three other gentlemen, under the name of the Fitchburg Paper Company. One by one these gentlemen sold their respective interests to Mr. Wallace, and in 1868 he became sole owner of the entire property. From that time until the present day he has carried on the business under the old firm name of the Fitchburg Paper Company. He has, since he became sole owner, made large additions of land to the property, rebuilt the original mill and filled it with the most improved machinery, erected a new mill with the latest improvements of every kind, and built addi- tional store-houses, etc., until he has increased the producing capacity from two thousand five hundred pounds per day, to sixteen thousand pounds of hanging, card, and glazing paper per day of twenty-four hours. The mills, the ample store-houses, the out-buildings and dwelling-houses make up a little village, want- ing nothing but distance from the city to claim a name of its own.
For the direction of several monetary and corporate interests his services have been frequently sought. He has been president and director of the Fitch- burg Gas-Light Company since 1864; a director of the Fitchburg National Bank since 1866 ; partner in the Fitchburg Woolen Mill Company, with the Hon. Wm. H. Vose and Hon. Rufus S. Frost, since 1867 ; a director of the Putnam Ma- chine Company since 1864 ; and has just been chosen director of the Parkhill Man- ufacturing Company, recently organized for the manufacture of ginghams. For several years he has been a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank, a director of the Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company, president of the Fitchburg Board of Trade (four years), a director of the Fitchburg Railroad Company, and a trustee of Smith College, Northampton, Mass.
Though thoroughly patriotic and keenly alive to the importance of current issues, the magnitude of the private and corporate interests committed to his care would not permit the alienation of close personal attention from them to political matters, and whatever offices he has held have sought him, instead of his seeking them.
He was a selectman in the years 1864, 1865, and 1867, and a representative to the general court in 1874, but declined a re-election the following year, on account of ill health. He was a member of the governor's council in 1880 and 1881, and has just been re-elected to serve in the same position the present year.
Mr. Wallace was married, on the 1st of December, 1853, to Sophia, youngest daughter of Thomas Ingalls, Esq., of Rindge. She died June 20, 1871, leaving two sons. The eldest, Herbert I., born February 17, 1856, is a graduate of Harvard College, class of 1877; and the younger, George R., obtained his educa- tion in the Fitchburg high school, and a two years' special course in the Institute of Technology, Boston. They are both now with their father. Mr. Wallace mar- ried, for his second wife, Sophia F. Bailey, of Woodstock, Vt., on the 28th day of December, 1876.
5
GEN. SIMON G. GRIFFIN.
BY REV. A. B. CRAWFORD.
GEN. GRIFFIN was born in Nelson, N. H., on the 9th of August, 1824. His ancestors, as far back as they can be traced, were prominent men in the communities where they lived, gifted with more than ordinary intellect and force of character.
His grandfather, Samuel Griffin, Esq., came from Methuen, Mass., soon after the Revolutionary war, married a daughter of Rev. Jacob Foster, at that time the settled minister at " Packersfield," now Nelson, and took up his residence in that town. His superior abilities soon brought him forward to fill responsible positions, and for many years he represented the town in the legislature, and held the highest town offices. Both he and the General's maternal grandfather, Nehemiah Wright, were patriot soldiers in the Revolutionary army, and both were present at the battle of Bunker Hill.
His father, Nathan Griffin, was equally gifted with the earlier progenitors of the race; but, losing his health in the prime of his manhood, the care of rearing the family of seven children fell upon the mother. Her maiden name was Sally Wright, - one of the loveliest of her sex, both in person and character, -and the General owes much to her wise counsels and careful training. She died recently, at the age of ninety-four, in the full possession of her mental faculties.
When but six years of age, in consequence of the illness of his father, the boy was sent to live for some years with his uncle, Gen. Samuel Griffin, of Rox- bury, N. H. He, too, had a decided talent for military affairs, had been a volun- teer in the war of 1812, was prominent in the state militia, and was fond of repeating the military histories and descriptions of battles and campaigns that he had read, thus producing a deep and lasting impression on the mind of the lad. But never, after he was seven years old, could the boy be spared from work on the farm to attend school during summer. Ten or twelve weeks each winter at the district school was all the " schooling " he ever had; but his leisure hours were spent in reading and study, and, in spite of his want of advantages, at eighteen years of age he began to teach with marked success. He had also read much history, and the lives of the great military chieftains of ancient and modern times ; and thus by inheritance, and by his early training and reading, he had become unconsciously fitted for the special work before him, and had, cultivated the patriotic spirit and ability for military affairs which have won for him an honorable place among the distinguished soldiers of our state, and made him, as confessed on all sides, one of the best volunteer officers in the war of the rebellion.
Continuing his studies while teaching winters and working on the farm sum- mers, he mastered all the higher English branches usually taught in colleges, studied Latin and French, and went through a large amount of miscellaneous reading. In 1850 he married Ursula J., daughter of Jason Harris, Esq., of Nelson ; but soon after the birth of a son, the following year, both mother and
. . Brig Brevet Maj lant. U.S.V. 0
S. l. Griffin
A
?
C
0 A 0 A
A
-
.
-
P
-
AA
AAA
A
AA
-
A
Engª by Geo E Penne NY
A -
CCCC CC CC
¿Cc
C
C
0
с
€
C
€ C
€
0
€
. &
€ --
€
( C
REC
€
€
ب
C
€
C
٥,٢ -
€ ¢ 0
C C € بـ
ں CCI
59
GEN. SIMON G. GRIFFIN.
son died. Returning to his former occupation of teaching, he took up the study of law, and while thus engaged represented his native town two years in the leg- islature, serving the second term as chairman of the committee on education.
He was admitted to the bar in 1860, and had just begun the practice of his profession at Concord when the war broke out. Throwing aside his law-books, he took up the study of military tactics, joined a company then forming at Con- cord, under the first call for troops,- volunteering as a private, but when it came to organization was chosen captain, - and finding the quota of New Hampshire ' full under the first call, immediately volunteered, with a large number of his men, for three years or the war, under the second call. Recruiting his company to the maximum, he joined the Second Regiment at Portsmouth, was mustered into the United States service in June, 1861, and commanded his company at the first battle of Bull Run, handling it with coolness and bravery, although it was under a sharp fire, and lost twelve men, killed and wounded. It was the celebrated " Goodwin Rifles," Co. B, 2d N. H. Vols., armed with Sharp's rifles, by the exertions of Capt. Griffin and his friends,-the only company sent from the state armed with breech-loaders.
In 1861 he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the 6th N. H. Vols., and joined that regiment at its rendezvous in Keene. The regiment was assigned to Burnside's expedition to North Carolina, and landed at Hatteras island in January, 1862. In March it removed to Roanoke island, and on the 7th of April, Lieut .- Col. Griffin was sent in command of an expedition, composed of six hundred men with five gunboats, to break up a rebel rendezvous near Elizabeth City, N. C. Landing at daybreak the next morning, he attacked and broke up the camp, capturing seventy-four prisoners, three hundred and fifty stands of arms, and a quantity of ammunition. On the 19th of April, at the battle of Camden, N. C., he commanded his regiment, which formed the reserve. At the critical moment he moved it forward in line of battle, within short musket range, halted the line, gave the command to fire, and the regiment poured in a volley with wonderful coolness and precision. The enemy broke and fled, and the battle was won.
On the 22d of April, 1862, he was commissioned colonel of the regiment. Assigned to Reno's division, which was sent to aid Pope in Virginia, he com- manded his regiment at the second Bull Run, where it was ordered, with its brigade, to attack the enemy in a piece of wood. Forcing their way for some distance, they received a murderous fire in front and from the left flank and rear. Thinking it must be friends firing into them by mistake, Col. Griffin took the colors and waved them in that direction, but the fire only came the sharper ; and finding himself nearly surrounded by an immense force, and deserted by the other regiments, he gave the order to retreat, and brought off the remnant of his men, bearing the colors himself.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.