USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Newport > The history of Newport, New Hampshire, from 1766 to 1878 > Part 5
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 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
In 1843, Dr. J. W. Baker, whose father was a physician, and in practice at Plainfield, came here, but left at the close of one year for Meriden, where he was in good business until 1854, when he moved to Davenport, Iowa, his present resi- dence.
In the autumn of IS75, Dr. J. P. Elkins came from Wilmot to Newport, with the purpose of permanent settlement ; but such were the inducements presented by former friends for his return, that he complied with their wishes, and left the follow- ing spring.
In the summer of 1876, Dr. W. P. Swett, a son of Rev. Dr. Swett, of the diocese of Vermont, and a graduate of the uni- versity at Burlington, opened an office here, but remained a few months only. His present field of practice is Harwinton, Conn.
Dr. Thos. B. Sanborn, son of Dr. Thos. Sanborn, deceased, a native of this town, was educated at the Colby academy, New London, studied his profession with his father, and graduated at the Bellevue Medical College, New York. He commenced practice here in 1877, taking his father's office, with prospects favorable to a permanent abiding-place.
Dr. Herbert D. Gould, son of Jesse N. Gould, of Weare, was born July 4, 1854. He was educated at the Francestown acad- emy, studied his profession with Dr. H. E. Spaulding, of Hing- ham, Mass., attended lectures at Dartmouth college and Boston
55
MEDICAL.
University, and graduated at the New York Homeopathic col- lege in IS7S. He came to this town the same year, and com- menced the practice of his profession.
A large number of natives and inhabitants of Newport have become physicians, and have settled elsewhere. For an account of them, see List of Graduates, also Biography.
CHAPTER VIII.
NECROLOGICAL.
BY DR. J. L. SWETT.
F ROM the first settlement of Newport, in 1766, to 1824, there are no recorded statistics of the diseases or the mor- tality of the town, from which an accurate estimate can be made. Prior to the year ISoo, the population numbered but a few hundreds. These mostly belonged to the early and middle periods of life ; and the only unusual and alarming sickness, now known to have occurred, was in 1783, and resulted from an epidemic of a low form of fever, called at the time putrid fever, the stricken ones becoming early prostrated, and many of the cases passing rapidly to a fatal termination. The ad- joining towns shared in this visitation ; and for several months a general gloom pervaded the whole vicinity, inasmuch as great mortality followed, especially with the young.
The next most notable epidemic commenced in the winter of IS12, and continued until the summer of IS13. It was called "spotted" or "petechial fever," the cerebro-spinal meningitis of the present day. It was here, as in the neighboring towns, alarming and fatal, baffling, in a great measure, the best efforts and highest skill of physicians. Strong men and women, well in the morning, and engaged in their ordinary pursuits, were attacked during the day, and in the evening numbered with the dead. Fear of the malady was so great that much difficulty was encountered in securing proper attentions for the sick. Under these circumstances, a town-meeting was called, for de- liberation, and resulted in an appropriation of one hundred dol- lars to procure medical counsel from abroad, and six hundred dollars to supply the needs of the destitute, and to remunerate for medical services. A board of health was also appointed, whose duties were, to adopt hygienic measures, look after the sick, and see that the appropriation was judiciously expended. It was composed of Phineas Chapin, Uriah Wilcox, William Cheney, Jonathan Brown, Sylvanus Richards, and Philip W.
57
NECROLOGICAL.
Kibby. During the prevalence of this epidemic, a large num- ber of persons fell victims to the disease.
In the summer and autumn of 1825, typhoid fever, of a very grave form, visited the town, pervaded nearly every part, and in an unusual number of instances proved fatal, making the mortality of that year fifty-two, or four times as great as that of the preceding.
In the winter, spring, and early summer of 1840, scarlatina, called " canker rash," was widespread throughout the town. For a time, a large proportion of the cases were of a malignant type, and in several instances death supervened on the day of attack. The whole number of cases that occurred exceeded three hundred, and in twenty-five of these the result was fatal. This same affection, in milder form, has with frequency pre- sented itself since 1840; but with the exception of 1858, and again in 1875, it has not been attended with great mortality.
Small-pox has twice appeared in town,-first, in 1833, when Jared Lane and a daughter of Aaron Buell died from this cause, and again, in the spring of 1840, in the family of Capt. Seth Richards, there being two cases of variola and two of varioloid, all of which recovered.
Diphtheria was first known in this vicinity in 1854, and for a number of years added considerably to the mortality of the town. Since that period the cases presenting have been of milder character, and more easily controlled.
The other diseases prevalent have been such as are common to all New England. Annually, typhoid fever has made its visitation, but varying greatly in gravity and fatality in dif- ferent years. Cholera infantum, dysentery, and other affections of the alimentary canal, have usually appeared each summer and autumn, and have produced a larger mortality among chil- dren than any other class of diseases ; while pulmonary affec- tions. as bronchitis, pneumonia, and consumption, have been constantly developing, and removing their victims from our midst. The mortality from consumption alone, during the last forty years, has been twenty per cent. of all those who have died beyond ten years of age.
The accompanying necrological statistics cover a period of fifty-three years, the first thirteen of which were taken from
5
58
HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
records made by the Rev. John Woods, and those of the last forty from records made by the writer. The population of the town has been slowly, but gradually, on the increase during the more than half a century covered by the table, which, accord- ing to the United States census, was, in 1830, 1,913 ; in 1840, 1,958; in 1850, 2,020; in 1860, 2,07S; and in 1870, 2,163. Since the latter period, by reason of railroad facilities, the gain has been more rapid, so that the present population is estimated to be 2,500.
The whole mortality that occurred from January, 1824, to January, 1877, a period of fifty-three years. is 1,867, giving an average of thirty-five deaths to each year, and a fraction. Of the whole number, eight hundred and twenty-six were males, and nine hundred were females, while the sex of one hundred and forty-one is unknown, they being very young children. Five hundred and forty-two died below ten years of age. with an average existence to each of about two years ; and five hundred and sixty-seven attained to the age of sixty years and upwards ; three hundred and seventy-two, to seventy and upwards ; one hundred and seventy, to eighty and upwards ; forty-one, to nine- ty and upwards ; and one exceeded one hundred years. Of those who have reached the greatest longevity since January, IS37, may be mentioned the following :
Mrs. Anna Wakefield, 91 years. Mr. Ezra Parmelee, 92 years. Mrs. Ezra Parmelee, 91 years. Mrs. Wid. Dow, 91 years. Mrs. Wid. Brown, 97 years. Miss Peggy Atwood, 97 years. Mr. Daniel Stearns, 93 years. Col. Phineas Chapin, 93 years.
Dea. Philip W. Kibby, 93 years. Mrs. Daniel Wilmarth, 90 years. Mr. John Bartram, 97 years. Mrs. Ruth Pike, 90 years. Mrs. Benj. Whitcomb, 94 years. Mr. Jonathan Wakefield, 96 years. Mrs. Anna Locke, 91 years. Mr. John Bailey, 94 years. Mrs. Joan Blake, 95 years.
Mrs. Mary Hall, 94 years. Mrs. Mary Pike, 92 years.
Mr. Joel Kelsey, 99 years, 7 mos.
Mr. Benj. Whitcomb, 94 years.
Mr. Moses Goodwin, 94 years.
Mr. Joel McGregory, 100 years, 11 months, 22 days.
Dea. Isaac Warren, 91 years.
Mr. Samuel Goldthwaite, 93 years. Mrs. Roxy Newton, 92 years.
Mr. Nehemiah Rand, 92 years.
Mrs. Erastus Newton, 91 years.
Mrs. Lois Colby, 90 years.
Mrs. Daniel Barker, 90 years.
Mrs. Thankful Wheeler, 94 years, 6 months.
Mrs. Mehitable Cutts, 93 years.
Mrs. Luke Paul, 91 years.
59
NECROLOGICAL.
This gives to each of the thirty-three an average life of ninety- three years and three months.
Males.
Females.
Sex unknown.
Under 10 years.
Io to 20.
20 to 30.
30 to 40.
40 to 50.
50 to 60.
60 to 70.
70 to 80.
80 to 90.
0 | 94 to 100.
o | Beyond 100.
1824
w
6
4
13
a
1
1
3
1825
144
27
I
52
15
5
IO
1826
12
15
7
34
9
5
a
1827
N
00
a
16
6
I
4
O
HONOWO
H+HOOANH
UNNONHNNNANN
ONWENGONNO
HHN+O
2
1830
16
II
38
17
2
I
3
+
w
NW
2
1
w
N
1835
IO
2
23
4
2
4
I
5
H
1836
14
IO
31
9
001
I
+
4
5
5
O
H
1838
16
13
34
w
4
4
4
4
3
2
o
1840
29
25
o
6.4
37
5
9
2
2
I
2
3
w
1
1843
13
13
II
37
18
+
H
4
3
2
I
3
H
1844
12
21
7
40
12
4
4
+
2
2
3
7
2
1845
19
I
31
13
I
5
1
1
2
4
w
1846
II
1
56
13
I
4
w
N
I
3
4
+
1848
12
14
C
26
7
3
1
N
H
2
2
5
w
1849
16
26
44
13
I
7
2
3
5
5
4
2
1850
NO
H
23
0
0
H
a
2
2
3
3
5
w
1853
I7
O
36
O
4
9
I
1
3
3
I
w
1854
18
26
2
46
7
3
4
4
3
9
+
1855
13
H
30
cour
2
5
3
2
4
8
5
w
1858
25
26
O
00
14
4
5
3
3
6
I
4
o
12
1861
16
I6
O
32
13
2
3
I
2
3
3
NN
5
H
1864
24
22
1
47
COU
4
4
H
2
2
4
O
3
H
1867
I
15
30
w
2
2
1
2
I
5
6
8
0
1868
17
13
30
5
N
2
W
N
2
4
8
1
H
1869
15
20
35
~
2
4
2
I
1
5
4
5
1871
18
I7
35
N
2
7
3
3
7
5
0
1872
26
24
50
16
5
5
3
4
3
3
5
1873
22
22
44
12
7
4
2
3
+
I
3
1874
19
16
35
6
+
w
2
3
2
5
a
w
H
0
1876
28
34
O
62
18
Un
5
4
5
2
6
5
2
O
In 53 years,
826
900
141
1867
542
169
195
132
129
133
195
192
139
40
I
1828
7
6
0
22
ao
1
3
1829
8
II
A
23
4
2
3
1831
6
18
4
23
6
4
3
1832
21
12
12
45
30
5
1834
16
II
w
30
12
₩+ONHO+OW
I
2
5
2
2
O
1839
8
17
H
30
5
+
2
5
3
2
3
4
1842
w
32
5
ow
2
6
3
3
3
4
w
+
1847
12
19
I
32
5
3
WJ
0 +
3
I
5
4
I
1852
I7
24
0
41
14
w
6
w
2
4
3
6
2
w
1
1857
23
2
42
0
5
2
4
6
I
aw
3
5
w
N N
1860
I2
16
30
a
3
5
I
2
1862
18
O
35
OUT
2
3
2
3
3
3
5
4
o
O
1865
5
22
O
27
1866
12
16
1
29
N
4
I
4
0
4
3
6
5
1870
12
21
O
52
18
7
6
4
3
3
4
4
4 6
I
4
1856
24
H
36
46
15
6
1859
6
3
2
2
4
4
2
8
I863
26
26
16
17
2
3
2
3
6
6
6
4
o
1875
33
49
8
2
w
2
1
3
5
2
1851
15
o
w
2
3
1
I
3
+
N
2
I
H
1833
3
N
N
3
4
5
1837
15
30
15
1841
13
16
NUIHN
27
8
2
O
4
2
3
1
24
2
23
N
-
6
o
6
6
I
6
4
33
3 6
S
.
2
16
1
Total.
CHAPTER IX.
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS IN NEWPORT.
BY H. G. CARLETON.
TN giving the following history of the newspaper press in 1 Newport, it may be proper to state that the writer has been connected with the Argus and Spectator most of the time for more than forty-six years; that he was acquainted with all but two of its former editors and proprietors; and that the facts given below, which he was not fully conversant with, are taken from the files of the paper, and may therefore be con- sidered reliable.
In August, 1823, CYRUS BARTON, a native of Croydon, N. H., and a practical printer, established a newspaper in Clare- mont, called the Claremont Spectator. It contained five col- umns to a page, and was in size about 20 by 25 inches. Mr. Barton filled the position of editor, besides doing much la- bor on the mechanical department of the paper. The first number of this paper was issued Aug. 29, 1823, and the last number was issued Sept. 3, 1824. In January, 1825, Mr. Bar- ton removed his printing-office to Newport, and established the New Hampshire Spectator. The first number printed in New- port is dated January 12, 1825. The removal of the paper from Claremont to Newport was made with the expectation that the latter would be the shire town of the new county of Sullivan, then being formed.
In September, 1826, DUNBAR ALDRICH, a printer from Cheshire county, became connected with Mr. Barton in the publication of the paper, the firm being Aldrich & Barton. In April, 1829, Mr. Aldrich retired from the firm ; and Mr. Bar- ton associated with him B. B. FRENCH and CYRUS METCALF,
61
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.
the firm being Barton, French & Metcalf, Mr. French being an attorney-at-law and clerk of the courts for Sullivan county, and Mr. Metcalf a practical printer. In July, of the same year, Mr. Barton withdrew from the paper and removed to Concord to take the editorial charge of the New Hampshire Patriot, the Hon. Isaac Hill, the editor of that paper, retiring from the concern. Messrs. French & Metcalf continued the publi- cation of the paper about one year, when Mr. Metcalf with- drew from the firm, and Mr. French formed a business con- nection with SIMON BROWN, a brother-in-law and a practical printer, the firm being French & Brown, Mr. French editing the paper, besides performing his duty as clerk of the courts, and Mr. Brown taking charge of the mechanical department of the business. In 1834, Mr. French removed to Washington city, and Mr. Brown continued as its sole editor and proprietor.
In the same year, the Argus, then printed at Claremont, was removed to Newport, and in the following year was united with the Spectator. Its name was changed to Argus and Spectator, Mr. Brown retiring from the paper, and EDMUND BURKE becoming its sole editor.
In IS38, HENRY E. BALDWIN and WILLIAM ENGLISH, both practical printers, and both former workmen in the office, pur- chased the concern, and became its editors and proprietors. In a few months, Mr. English sold his interest in the paper to SAMUEL C. BALDWIN, and it was published by H. E. & S. C. Baldwin. In January, IS40, HENRY G. CARLETON and MAT- THEW HARVEY purchased the paper, since which time, now more than thirty-eight years, and more than two thirds of its whole existence, it has been published by Carleton & Harvey.
As will be seen, the paper has passed through many hands since its commencement, particularly in the first fifteen years of its existence,-not an uncommon thing in the history of the newspaper press of this country. Most of those who have been connected with it have passed away, although not until they had become well known, and had exerted no small share of influ- ence in the political world.
Cyrus Barton, the founder of the paper, removed to Concord when a young man, and became editor of the New Hampshire
62
HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
Patriot, the leading Democratic paper of the state. He has served as councillor, state senator, member of the constitutional convention, in 1850, to revise the state constitution, and also U. S. marshal for New Hampshire. He fell dead while deliv- ering a political speech at Loudon, in 1855, at the age of about 58 years.
Of Dunbar Aldrich, the partner of Mr. Barton, but little is known. He was but a short time connected with the paper. He was a practical printer by trade, and came to Newport from Cheshire county.
Cyrus Metcalf, connected with Mr. French in the publication of the Spectator, was a native of Canada. After his retirement from the paper he removed to New York, and was employed for a long time in the office of the New York Tribune. He died but a few years since.
B. B. French removed from Newport to Washington city in IS34, and was in the government employ most of the time un- til his death, in the summer of 1870. He filled the important positions of clerk of the U. S. house of representatives and commissioner of public buildings, and held other places of trust and responsibility.
Simon Brown, after his retirement from the Spectator, in 1835, removed to Concord, and from thence, after a short res- idence there, to Washington city, where he became librarian of the house of representatives. After a residence there of some years, he removed to Concord, Mass., and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He was editor of the Hingham Gazette, and for many years, until his death, editor of the New England Farmer. He was a member of the board of agriculture, and a trustee of the reform school ; served in the legislature of Mas- sachusetts, and in 1855 became lieutenant-governor of the state. He died in February, 1873, at the age of about 71 years.
Edmund Burke, for several years editor of the Argus, was elected to congress in 1839, was reelected in 1841 and 1843, serving six years in the house of representatives. In IS45 he was appointed commissioner of patents by President Polk, and retired on a change of the national administration, after serving four years. In 1849 he became associate editor of the Wash- ington Union, at that time the leading Democratic paper in the
63
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.
country. He is now (1878) extensively engaged in the prac- tice of law, and is the only man now alive, with the exception of the present proprietors,-Carleton & Harvey,-who has ever had any pecuniary interest in the paper.
Henry E. Baldwin was the successor of Mr. Burke in the editorial department of the paper. He was a practical printer by trade, having served his apprenticeship in the office. He filled the offices of clerk of the state senate, register of deeds and of probate for the county of Sullivan, inspector in the Boston custom-house during the administration of President Polk, and a government clerk in Washington, where he died in February, IS57.
William English, a short time the associate of Henry E. Baldwin, was for some time city editor of the Boston Post. He was also private secretary to Gov. Morton, of Massachusetts, while he was collector of the port of Boston. He was a native of Ireland, noted for his rapidity as a compositor, and was a young man of ability. He died in January, IS49.
Samuel C. Baldwin, an associate with his brother, Henry E. Baldwin, in the publication of the paper, was editor of the Ply- mouth Rock, at Plymouth, Mass., and the Laconia Democrat, at Laconia, N. H. He was also clerk of the court for the county of Belknap. He died in IS61.
Henry G. Carleton, one of the present publishers of the Ar- gus, of the firm of Carleton & Harvey, has been connected with the paper, as one of its editors and publishers, now (IS7S) nearly thirty-nine years. He has been register of deeds and of probate for the county of Sullivan, and has represented the town of Newport in the state legislature. He is a director in the First National Bank, and is a trustee and the president of the savings bank.
Matthew Harvey, one of the present editors and publishers of the paper, of the firm of Carleton & Harvey, has been con- nected with the paper, as editor and publisher, nearly thirty-nine years. The firm commenced business Jan. 1, 1840, being the oldest newspaper firm in the state. He was register of deeds for the county of Sullivan for a period of five years. He was also assistant marshal of the state to take the United States cen- sus in IS60.
64
HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
In addition to the above, there are others who have learned the trade of printing in the office, who have reached positions of trust and responsibility. Of the earlier apprentices are Ros- well Elmer and Horace Parmelee, who served their apprentice- ships with Mr. Barton, the founder of the paper. The former was for some time editor of the North Carolina Spectator, af- terwards a cotton planter in Louisiana, and is now living near Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Horace Parmelee left the business and engaged in trade. He is now in business in New York.
William W. Forsaith worked as a journeyman printer in Boston for some years, when he went to California, where he died some twenty years since.
Mr. Harvey Richards, who served his apprenticeship with H. E. & S. C. Baldwin and with Carleton & Harvey, left the business when a young man, and is now engaged in trade in Minnesota, where he has been quite successful.
Mr. Virgil C. Stevens, who also served his apprenticeship with H. E. & S. C. Baldwin and Carleton & Harvey, went to California when a young man, and was for some time connect- ed with one of the leading papers in San Francisco. He is now assistant foreman in the office of the Boston Daily Advertiser.
Mr. Jacob W. Wheeler, who served his apprenticeship with Carleton & Harvey, after working at his trade as a journeyman printer for a short time, became editor of a leading Democratic paper in Davenport, Iowa, but, his health failing, he retired from the paper, and returned to Newport, his native town, where he died in 1853, at the age of twenty-five years.
Mr. Parmenus H. Whitcomb, who served his apprenticeship with Carleton & Harvey, after working as a journeyman for some years, purchased the Dartmouth Press, at Hanover, N. H., and is printing the Dartmouth, a monthly devoted to the interests of Dartmouth college. He also does much other print- ing connected with the college.
Mr. Benjamin F. Haven, an apprentice to Carleton & Har- vey, after working at his trade for some years, enlisted in the 9th Regiment of the N. H. Volunteers during the late rebellion, and, after serving until near the close of the war, was taken prisoner, and died in Danville, Va., in November, 1864.
Mr. George Johnson, an apprentice to Carleton & Harvey,
65
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.
on the completion of his trade commenced to study for the ministry, and, after the usual course, was ordained, and soon joined the Methodist Conference in Vermont, from whence he removed to the state of Minnesota and connected himself with the Congregational denomination, where he is now laboring as a home missionary.
Mr. Heury Stevens, an apprentice to Carleton & Harvey, es- tablished himself in business at Westborough, Mass., where he was meeting with much success, when he was taken away by death in I871.
Frank H. Carleton, son of II. G. Carleton, one of the present publishers of the Argus and Spectator, learned the trade of printing in the office, but afterwards graduated at Dartmouth college, in the class of 1872. While in college he was a fre- quent contributor to the columns of the Argus and Spectator, and other papers. He is a lawyer in St. Paul, Minn., and clerk of the municipal court of that city.
Mr Arthur S. Paul, of Unity, son of John Paul, Esq., of that town, entered the office of Carleton & Harvey, in April, IS73, served his time of three years as an apprentice, and, after working as a journeyman in the office one year, went to San Antonio, in Texas, where he is now ( 1878) employed in his profession.
There have been other apprentices in the office since the commencement of the paper, but none that we now recollect who have served a full apprenticeship.
On the removal of the paper from Claremont to Newport, in IS25, it took strong ground in favor of the election of Andrew Jackson for President, and has ever since been Democratic in politics, adhering to the party in victory and in defeat.
The Farmers' Advocate and Political Adventurer, a paper edited by HUBBARD NEWTON, Esq., was published weekly by H. & C. H. E. Newton, in 1830 and 1831, advocating the elec- tion of Henry Clay to the Presidency, and the Whig doctrines, in opposition to Andrew Jackson and the Democratic party, and was continued for one year. In IS32 and 1833 the North- ern Farmer and Horticulturist, a journal devoted to farm- ing and horticulture, was edited and published for two years by the same parties.
66
HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
REV. JOHN WILCOX, as far back as IS34, had a press in town. He printed an edition of the New Testament, Web- ster's Spelling Book, the New England Primer, and an Ency- clopedia.
The Sullivan Republican was published by an association of the leading Republicans of this and neighboring towns, and was devoted to the interests of the Republican party. The first num- ber was issued in January, 1859, and it was discontinued in the spring of 1861. The Hon. L. W. Barton, of this town, was the managing agent. It was edited by Hon. W. H. H. Allen (see Lawyers), and printed by E. H. Cheney, who afterwards re- moved to Lebanon, purchased the Free Press, and became its editor and publisher.
The New Hampshire Insurance Fournal was the title of a monthly publication issued by Robert C. Osgood in 1874. It was soon discontinued.
Among those natives of Newport more or less prominently connected with the press in different parts of the country, not mentioned above, are the following : George E. Jenks, Edward A. Jenks, Bela W. Jenks, Milton Foss, Henry H. Metcalf, Andrew J. Gilmore, James Kelley, George B. Wheeler Wm. F. Newton.
CHAPTER X.
BANKS.
BY FREDERICK W. LEWIS, ESQ.
T HE Sugar River Bank was incorporated Jan. 7, 1853, with a capital stock of $50,000. So full was the faith of the public in its success, that more than twice the amount of cap- ital needed was at once subscribed, and a committee was ap- pointed to apportion the stock among the subscribers. On the 19th day of February following, Ralph Metcalf, Edmund Burke, Amasa Edes, Thomas A. Twichell, Thomas W. Gil- more, Amasa Hall, and Dexter Richards were chosen directors. On the same day, the organization of the bank was completed by the election of Ralph Metcalf, president, and Paul J. Wheeler, cashier. The bank was opened for business on the 10th day of June, IS53.
In 1858, Mr. Metcalf, having removed from town, resigned the office of president, and Thomas W. Gilmore was elected. Mr. Gilmore continued to hold the office, and to discharge the duties thereof with marked ability and scrupulous fidelity, until failing health compelled him, in 1875, to decline further elec- tion. On the retirement of Mr. Gilmore, Dexter Richards, the present incumbent, was chosen president.
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.