USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Manchester > Willey's semi-centennial book of Manchester, 1846-1896, comprised within the limits of the old Tyng Township, Nutfield, Harrytown, Derryfield, and Manchester, from the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 30
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REV. W. C. MCALLESTER, D. D.
one of the largest and most influential in the state. The degree of D. D. was bestowed on him in 1895 by Olivet College, Mich. He married Nov. 20, 1873, Angela M. Brownson of Elizabethtown, N. Y. They have three children: Lillian A. aged twenty, student at Vassar College, class of 1896; Ralph W., aged seventeen, just entering Harvard College, and Grace E., aged nine. Dr. McAllester is a forceful writer and has been for twenty years a valued correspondent of the Watch- man of Boston, and Examiner and Independent of New York, and an occasional writer for a large
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number of periodicals. He is a member of the made any pretence to large glass windows, the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity. A highly prized adornment of the walls of his library is a coat-of-arms of the original MacAlister family of Scotland. It is safe to say that no clergyman was ever settled in Manchester who was more highly esteemed as a preacher, citizen, or neighbor than Rev. W. C. McAllester.
W ILLIAM H. ELLIOTT, son of John Wil- liams and Rebecca (Hartshorn) Elliott, was born in Londonderry Sept. 5, 1821, both his parents being natives of New Hampshire. Hav- ing received his education in the public schools, he learned the watch business at an early age, and
WILLIAM H. ELLIOTT.
soon became very proficient and skilful. Coming to Manchester in 1840, he opened a store on the premises which he now oceupies, and in which he personally manages the largest business of the kind in the state. The building in which Mr. Elliott began his business career was at the time the best on the street, and the only one which
panes, 32 by 46 inches, being regarded as un- usually fine. There was no building at all on the west side of the street. Mr. Elliott raised his first sign in September, 1840, and his name has been continuously up on Elm street for more than fifty- five years. His portrait accompanying this sketch was taken in his seventy-fifth year, and he is still hale and hearty. For many years, in addition to his business as jeweler and optician, he has been engaged in the sale of pianos, organs and musical goods, in which he has built up an extensive trade. Mr. Elliott was married in 1842 to Miss Serena F. Cilley of Hopkinton, and their golden wedding was celebrated in 1892. Their union has been blessed by eight children, three of whom now sur- vive: Dr. George H. Elliott of New York city ; Rev. Charles F. Elliott, a Unitarian clergyman of Chicago, and Ida F., married to Arthur B. Smith of Haverhill, Mass. There are seven grandchil- dren and one great-grandchild. In 1845 Mr. Elliott built the house at the corner of Concord and Walnut streets, at that time the finest private residence in the village, and quite modern even now. He occupied this house for twenty years, and in 1870 he built a residence at the corner of Myrtle and Maple streets, which at the time of its erection was also the finest in the city, and the first in which plate glass windows were used. He also built the twenty-tenement block at the corner of Pearl and Chestnut streets. Mr. Elliott has never had political aspirations. He attended the Universalist church for more than twenty years, and was for a long time president of the society and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of Washington Lodge, of Mount Horeb Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and of Trinity Com- mandery, Knights Templar.
THE SPECTACULAR in religion was not wholly neglected by those simple-minded old Scotch settlers of Nutfield. In 1741 the West Parish voted, "that the selectmen raise as much money as shall be sufficient to build a pulpit equivalent to Dunstable (now Nashua) pulpit." And they raised about $500.
HON. ALPHEUS GAY.
H ON. ALPHEUS GAY, son of Alpheus and president of the Citizens' Building and Loan Susannah (Scobey) Gay, was born in Fran- cestown May 14, 1819. his father being a native of Dedham, Mass. Having acquired an education in the district schools and at the Francestown acad- emy, at the age of fifteen he began working at the carpenter's trade with his father. Three years later he taught school in New Boston, and followed teaching in that place and at Francestown for sev- eral winters. Com- ing to Manchester in 1841, he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1850, when he became a contractor and builder. He has built many of the best and largest busi- ness blocks, public buildings and churches in the city, including the city library, court house, jail, industrial school, the High, Ash, Lin- coln, and Franklin- street schoolhouses, St. Joseph's cathe- dral, Grace church, HON. ALPHEUS GAY. : and also many pri- vate residences. In 1886 he was appointed superintendent of the construction of the govern- ment building, which was completed under his care and direction. Mr. Gay has been a life-long Democrat, and has the high honor of being one of the few Democratic mayors of the city, having been elected to that position in 1875. He has been a member of the board of water commission- ers since its organization in 1871, and for many years has been president of the board. He is also
Association and vice president of the Bank of New England, and has held other similar positions of responsibility. Recently he was a member of the building committec of the new state normal school at Plymouth. Mr. Gay is past master of Lafayette lodge, A. F. and A. M., a mem- ber of Trinity com- mandery, K. T., and of the Mystic Shrine. He attends the Uni- tarian church, and is a member of the Granite State club. Nov. 25, 1845, Mr. Gay married Miss Theda G. Fisher, daughter of Richard and Pauline (Camp- bell) Fisher of Fran- cestown, who died Aug. 17, 1885. They had four children. two of whom sur- vive: Anna M., who resides with her father, and Frank A .. of the engineering firm of Bartlett & Gay, Manchester.
M AKING too much money .-----
Lawyers were cvidently making too much money in Nutfield as long ago as 1778. for the follow- ing article is to be found in the town warrant for that year: "To see if the town will instruct their representatives to use their influence that there be a revision of the table of fees. It ap- pears to us that the attornies' fees should be cut down at least one-half ; they would not then be so fond of business, and people would find time to breathe.'
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JOHN C. RAY.
JOHN C. RAY, son of Aaron and Nancy Ray, Normal School at Plymouth, and has always taken was born in Hopkinton sixty-nine years ago, a deep interest in educational affairs. In 1893 Mr. Ray was nominated by acclamation for coun- cillor by the second district Republican conven- tion, and was elected by a large majority. His popularity extends far beyond the limits of the political party with which he is identified, and he is held in high estimation by all his fellow eitizens. In 1857 Mr. Ray was married to Miss S. A. Humphreys, and two children have been added to the family. his parents removing a few years later to Dunbar- ton, where he grew to manhood and became one of the leading citizens of that town. At the age of twenty-one he was elected to represent the town in the state legisla- ture, and was re- cleeted for the two following terms. With one exception he was the youngest member of the house when he first took his seat, but he speedily beeame one of the most influen- tial members of that IT cost {12 1S. Iod., or more than $60, to ordain Rev. Wil- liam Morrison, Feb. 12, 1783, and set him apart "to the work of the gospel minis- try, to take charge of the second parish in Londonderry." This is the itemized bill of expenses, as found in an old ac- count book : "Four gallen of Rum, £1 16s. ; half a pound of allspice, 5s .; 19 pounds Chise, 19s .; JOHN C. RAY. 3 pounds raisons, 4S. ; I quarter pepper, 2s .; Cinnamon, 1s. 6d. ; Nutmeg, is. 6d .; Wine 2 gallons, {1 4S .; 1 pound tea, 12S .; 12 pound shugar, 12S .; 2 quarts molasses, 2s. 6d .; Brandy, 5s. 4d .; 162 pounds butter, {1 Ios .; jour- ney to Newbury, {I IS. ; 2 bushels and a half of wheat, £1 Ios .; Souse, Syder, Bread, salt, pork, trouble of house and Woman's labor, £1 16s." With all that allspice, pepper, einnamon, and nut- meg, and with the brandy, rum, eider, and wine, that ordination must have been both spicy and spirited. body. He was sub- sequently chairman of the board of select- men and superinten- dent of schools in Dunbarton. July 2, 1874, he became superintendent of the State Industrial School in Manches- ter, and has filled the position so aceept- ably that year by year he has been unani- mously re-elected, notwithstanding his oft repeated desire to retire from the posi- tion. Mr. Ray's dealings with the wayward youth entrusted to his eare have been characterized by great kindness united with unflinching firmness, while his management of the farm and the indus- tries of the sehool has been successful in the highest degree. Under his direetion the school has taken rank in the forefront of similar institu- tions in this country. In 1881 -82 he was again a member of the legislature, representing Ward 2. Many years ago he was one of the trustees of the
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OLIVER E. BRANCH.
O LIVER E. BRANCH was born in Madi- of questions of law in both state and federal courts. son, O., July 19, 1847. His paternal grand- father served seven years in Washington's eom- mand, from whom he received a "badge of merit" signed by Washington on the disbanding of the Continental army. His mother was Lucy J.
Bartram, a native of Connecticut and a descendant of Roger Williams. His father was Hon. William W. Branch, for many years a judge of the court of common pleas, and prominent in the early history of railroads in north- ern Ohio. Mr. Branch was of a family of nine chil- dren, born on a farm and trained in the school of industry and self-reliance. Having finished his preparatory studies at Whitestown (N. Y.) Seminary, from which he graduated in 1868, he entered Hamilton College the following year and graduated with the finest record of the class of 1873, winning the three oration prizes. After two years as principal of the Forestville (N. Y.) Free Academy and Union School, he entered Columbia College Law School, taking the two years' course in one, and graduat- ing in 1876 with the degree of LL. B. He then taught one year in the Brooklyn Polytechnie Institute, and in 1878 joined his brother in the practice of law in New York city. The firm did an extensive business, and Mr. Branch was pushed to the front in the trial of causes and arguments
OLIVER E. BRANCH.
In 1883 he moved to Weare to engage in literary work, soon becoming active in local politics and being elected to the legislature in 1886. During the session of 1887 Mr. Branch became widely known, and his reputation as lawyer and orator was established by his remarkable speeches on the " Hazen bill." He was a member of the judiciary commit- tee. Re-elected in 1888, he was the candidate of his party for speaker, and dur- ing the session of 1889 he was again upon the judiciary committee and added to his reputation by his efforts on the floor, particularly by his advocaey of the " Australian Ballot " bill, which he then introduced. In the fall of 1889 he rc- sumed the practice of law in Manchester and has had a large and lucrative client- age, being engaged in the most impor- tant causes that have been tried in the cen- tral part of the state, achieving many signal victories. As counsel for the Boston & Maine and Manchester & Lawrence railroads he has secured a wide reputation. In the argument of questions of law he has no equal in the state, and is in the front rank of jury lawyers. Mr. . Branch is a gentleman of fine scholarly and musical tastes and literary accom- plishments. As an orator he is particularly bril- liant, and his command of graceful language is as remarkable as it is pleasing. He received the
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degree of master of arts from Hamilton College in 1876, and the same degree was conferred upon him by Dartmouth in 1895. In 1894 he was appointed United States district attorney for New Hampshire. He was influential in establishing the Congregational church at North Weare, where he resides in summer. In winter he occupies his pleasant home on Prospect street, Manchester, and is a regular attendant of the Franklin-Street church. Mr. Branch was married to Miss Sarah C. Chase of Weare in 1878, and has a family of three sons and one daughter: Oliver Winslow, born Oet. 4, 1879; Dorothy Witter, born Dec. 6, 1881 ; Frederick William, born Sept. 18, 1886, and Ran- dolph Wellington, born Nov. 26, 1890.
THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE in Nutfield was built in 1723. It was of logs, and was only sixteen feet by twelve, but it afforded aecom- modations for the twenty odd pupils. Robert Morrison was one of the first, if not the first teacher. The building was situated on the com- mon, near the meeting-house. In 1725, £36 4s. was appropriated for schools. In 1727 the town " votted to build a school house eighteen feet long besides the chimney -that there should be two fireplaces in one end, as large as the house will allow - to be seven foot in the side in height - of logs-to be built at the meeting house." These specifications may not seem very definite, but doubtless they were understood by the contractor.
ability he inherited a double portion, for his mother, youngest daughter of Thomas Moore of Nashua, was possessed of a good degree of talent in this direction, while his father, although an energetie business man, devoted many leisure hours to the pursuit of music and encouraged the devel- opment of it in his young son. Lessons began at an early age, and under most competent instructors, first of the piano-forte, and afterward of the organ and harmony. Prominent among these instructors were Edward A. Hosmer and George J. Webb of Boston. From a very small boy he was full of enthusiasm for a brass band, and has, sinec the days when he so persistently followed them about the streets of the eity, himself played all sorts of instruments and drilled and led many sueh organi- zations. At the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, he and most of the members of his band enlisted as privates in Company C, First N. H. Regiment, and " Baldwin's Cornet Band " was the first to leave the state, and the first to play in the streets of Baltimore after the attack upon the Mas- sachusetts Sixth had so nearly annihilated its Lowell band. In 1861 Mr. Baldwin married Miss Sarah C. Kendrick of Nashua, by whom he had two sons and one daughter, to whom he in turn transmitted the love of musie which he had himself inherited. Edwin K. Baldwin, the elder son, is now a well- known organist and choir master in Lowell, Mass., as well as a successful business man, and Thomas C. Baldwin, the younger son, who died Sept. 3, 1890, was much sought after in musical eireles as a violinist and singer, being also widely known as one of the chief promoters of the Y. P. S. C. E. in the state. The daughter is married and
EDWIN THOMAS BALDWIN, whose name is such a familiar and honored one in the is now living in Quiney, Mass. As a teacher musical eireles of New Hampshire, and even far Mr. Baldwin has always been in the front rank, and from the exceedingly large class of pupils which always surrounds him, he has sent out many who have an enviable reputation as pianists and organists. His recitals are anticipated by music lovers as most enjoyable occasions where only the best of musie will be heard and that eonseientiously interpreted and ereditably performed. As a com- poser, especially of selections for church choirs, he is also well and favorably known. As a director of ehoral elasses and societies he early demon- strated a peculiar fitness, and many have cause to beyond its borders, was born in New Ipswich July 9, 1832. The following year his father re- moved to Nashua, then the busiest town in the state, and there the subject of this sketeh passed most of his childhood years. His studies were pursued in both publie and private schools in Nashua and Manchester, and even in later years, after taking up his residence in the latter eity in 1851, he divided his time between these two places because of his elose identifieation with the musical enterprises of both. Of musical taste and
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thank him for their introduction to the great terms, and since his resignation of that office he has been retained on the official board in some other capacity and has contributed largely to the success of that organization. Nowherc has Mr. Baldwin been more highly valued than in the First Congregational church of Manchester, probably the largest church in the state, where he has for nearly forty years been organist and music director, and where he has ever sought to main- tain a dignified and worshipful musical servicc. Music has always been to him a high and sacred art, to be intelligently pursued and not lightly treated as a pastime, and he greatly deplores any tendency to debase it or to lower the standard,cspecially by churches and musical oratorio works and for the foundation of a taste for choral harmonies. Hc has always sustained an organized chorus in the church where he was engaged, and in former years was leader of large city choruses in both Nashua and Manchester, notably those participating in the great peace jubilee in Boston. He proved his devotion to the cause by asking no remuneration save the faithful and en- thusiastic pursuit of the task in hand by those whom he led. Mr. Baldwin is keenly alive to any note of progress, only ask- ing to try new spirits to determine of what manner they may be, and is a man abreast of the times in both practical and musical affairs. In a recent trip across the Atlan- organizations. He has expressed him- sclf upon this point in many public utter- ances and is every- where known as a staunch upholder of the true and genuine in music, as one who would educate the community, and par- EDWIN T. BALDWIN. ticularly the young. to a purity of taste. tic he made a special study of the music in the English cathe- drals and on the con- tinent, having cn- joyed together with the musicians with whom he travelled unusual opportuni- ties to see and hear famous composers and organists, with the best of trained For any musical clap- trap, for mere jingling rhymes and tunes, he has a distinct aversion and denounces them with no uncertain sound. Manchester is to be congratu- lated that she has for so many years been the chosen home of so cultivated a musician, who is at the same time a keen, active, public-spirited citizen. choirs. Many excellent offers to locate elsewhere have been refused by Mr. Baldwin and he secms to have decided wisely, for time has not lessened his hold upon his position as an esteemed teacher and musical authority in this city which now holds out inducements to many rivals in the profession. To all such Mr. Baldwin extends a ready welcomc, and all find him a true friend and sympathizcr. The New Hampshire Music Teachers' Association R OILED EGGS .- The grave and reverend Matthew Clark ate no meat, but was very elected him as their president for thrcc successive fond of eggs. When dining out, if his hostess
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apologized for her hard-boiled eggs, he would say : of business at 907, 909, and 911 Elm street is one " I'll just soften them with butter." If the apol- ogy was for soft-boiled eggs, his reply would be : " I'll harden them with butter."
of the most attractive in Manchester. Mr. Temple was married in 1867 to Miss Lucinda L. Chase of Manchester, and two sons, Harry C., deceased, and Charles A., have been added to the family.
C' HARLES WILLIAM TEMPLE was born in Hyde Park, Vt., July 11, 1846. Coming to Manchester in the summer of 1856, he attended the public schools for two years, and then went to work as errand boy for Wil- liam H. Fisk, remain- ing in his employ for seventeen years. In the summer of 1875, in company with Henry A. Far- rington, he purchased the business of Wil- liam H. Fisk, the name of the new firm being Temple & Farrington until the winter of 1886, when the business was in- corporated as the Temple & Farring- ton Company. In October, 1895, Mr. Temple bought Mr. Farrington's entire interest in the cor- poration, and has since conducted alone the extensive affairs of the house, the corporate title remaining unchanged. As a jobber and retailer of blank books and stationery, watches, clocks, and jewelry, wall papers and window shades, he has built up a large and flourishing business, and the house has become one of the best known mercantile establishments in New Hampshire. Through the many vicissitudes of twenty years Mr. Temple has skilfully directed the affairs of the firm and achieved a measure of honorable success of which any man might well be proud. His place
C APT. THOMAS PATTERSON, grandson of Peter Patterson, one of the early settlers of Nutfield, died at his home in Lon- donderry Oct. 27, 1869, at the age of cighty-three years. He was one of the strong characters of the town, possessing marked individuality and positiveness, retaining enough of the ancestral brogue to grace his Scotch- Irish humor. In early life he was one of the most noted teachers in this part of New Hampshire, having taught thirty- one terms with great success, partic- ularly in difficult schools, and it is said that no unruly young- ster ever required a second course of his peculiar discipline, although in the main he controlled his
CHARLES W. TEMPLE.
pupils by firmness and kindness, rather than by fear. He lived on the farm purchased by his grandfather in 1730, filled various offices of trust within the gift of his townsmen, and died widely mourned. His widow, Hannah D., daughter of John Duncan, survived him only two weeks. His younger brother, George W., was elected lieutenant governor of New York in 1848, and his elder brother, Peter, also held various important public offices in that statc.
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ALONZO ELLIOTT.
A LONZO ELLIOTT, son of Albert and Adeline Waterman (Blackburn) Elliott, was born in Augusta, Me., July 25, 1849. When he was seven years of age his parents removed to Sanbornton Bridge, where he obtained his early education, completing it at the New Hamp- shire Conference Seminary.` Upon leaving school he was employed as tele- graph operator at the station in Tilton, and subsequently as a clerk in stores at Colebrook and Wentworth. In 1869 he settled in Man- chester and became telegraph operator and ticket agent for the Concord and the Manchester & Law- rence railroads, being one of the very few sound operators of that time. This posi- tion he held for twenty-three years, with the reputation of being the most expert ticket seller on the entire line of the railroads. Resigning in 1893, he went into the insurance and banking business. He was one of the incorporators and the organizer of the Granite State Trust Company, now the Bank of New England, and is its treasurer. He is also secretary of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association, director and clerk of the People's Gaslight Company, and director of the Garvin's Falls Power Company, which proposes to furnish electric power to Manchester consumers and to the town of Hooksett as well. With ex-Gov. Weston and John B. Varick he owns the New
ALONZO ELLIOTT.
Manchester House, which has succeeded the old hostelry of that name, the removal of which to its present site was an interesting engineering feat, and the remodelling of which has been followed by a great increase in the popularity of the city among the travelling public. Mr. Elliott is presi- dent of the Manchcs- ter Electric Light Company, and takcs justifiable pride in the fact that this city is the best lighted municipality in the United States. In addition to all this he is a trustee of the Guaranty Savings bank, and was one of the active pro- moters and the first treasurer of the Elliott Manufactur- ing Company, manu- facturers of knit goods, with a capital of $150,000 and em- ploying three hun- dred hands. He has also been interested in various other suc- cessful business insti- tutions; in fact, the locating in Manches- ter of many of the leading enterprises. notably the F. M. Hoyt Shoe Company, the Eureka Shoe Company, the Kimball Carriage Company, and the Elliott Manufacturing Company, is due to his efforts, as he raised nearly all the capital represented in these important industries. In whatever he undertakes he is an indefatigable worker. His insurance business is extensive, representing as it does twenty-five fire, life, and accident companies. Mr. Elliott married, first, Ella R., daughter of Amos Weston, Jr., of Manchester, and niece of ex-Gov.
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James A. Weston. His second wife was Medora, for a year. He then returned to Boston, to daughter of George W. and Sarah (Mead) Weeks, pursue the same line of business, which he carried her father being a well known shoe dealer of Manchester for many years. They have four children : Lucille Weeks, aged fourteen ; Laura Medora, aged twelve ; Mildred Weeks, aged five, and Alonzo, Jr., aged four years. Mr. Elliott is a member of Trinity Commandery, Knights Tem- plar, and he was a charter member of the Derryfield Club. He attends the Uni- tarian church. Few men have done more than he for his adopted city, and his beautiful residenee, Brookhurst, is one of the most attractive in Manchester. on successfully there until 1875. In that year he eame back to Manchester a second time, and has since resided here, building up a large business as a dealer in upholstery, paper hangings, drapery, eurtains, embroidery and fancy goods, and achiev- ing a commercial success which has made his name a household word in the city. When the postoffice block was built in 1876, he rented one of the stores and moved into it his small stoek and laid well the foundations of his subsequent pros- perity. With such a versatile genius for mercantile affairs, and with an expe- R. D. GAY, son of Benjamin H. and Ann D. (Stowe) Gay, was born in Hillsboro Oet. 23, 1838. Receiving his education in the common sehools of his native town and at Henniker Aead- emy, he worked for his father, who was a tanner, shoemaker, and farmer, until he beeame of age. In ROBERT DUNCAN GAY. 1859, with only ten dollars in his pocket, he went to Boston to seek his fortune. Here he was employed two years and a half in a woollen store, and subsequently became a member of the firm of W. B. Ellis & Co., at No. 289 Washington street. This connection lasted until 1869, when he sold his interest in the firm and removed to Manehes- ter to engage in the market and provision business, in the firm of O. & R. D. Gay, subsequently Gay & Davis. Disposing of his interest in the business, he engaged in the grain trade, which he continued rienee in so many lines of trade, it is not strange that he has succeeded. Mr. Gay is a director in the Two Hundred Associates' Real Es- tate Company, a very successful insti- tution with headquar- ters at Boston. He is a member of Lafayette Lodge of Masons, of the Pil- grim Fathers, and of Amoskeag Grange, and for four years was a member of the executive committee of the State Grange, and has attended six sessions of the National Grange. He is an enthusiastie member of the Ralston Health Club, Washington, D. C. Mr. Gay attends the First Congregational ehureh, of which body he is a member. Dec. 18, 1862, he was married to Miss Julia F. Blanchard of Washington, N. H. His present place of business is 72 Hanover street, and his residenec 86 Prospeet street, Manchester.
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