Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men Part 36

For twenty years Mr. Buffum has been engaged in the manufacture of woolen fabrics, gradually extending his operations, until, at this writing, he is owner of a felt-mill at Milton, N. H., a partner in the wool-pulling establishment of L. R. Hersom & Co., in Berwick, Me., treasurer and manager of the Great Falls Woolen Company, and treasurer and director of the Newichawanick Woolen Company at South Berwick, Me.; he has also been a director of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company since 1877. He has been connected with the Great Falls Bank, both state and national, from its commencement, as cashier, director, and president, which latter position he now holds; and, with the exception of the first two years, has been connected with the Somersworth Savings Bank as treasurer, trustee, and vice-president.

In local affairs, Mr. Buffum has taken an active and leading part. The same nervous, physical energy which made him the first player in the game of ball in his youth afforded just the qualities needed in the fire department, in which he was always among the foremost, and for many years at the head. He was chosen town clerk in 1843-44, moderator in 1848 and 1857, and selectman in 1846 and 1871-72.

In political affairs, Mr. Buffum has acted with the Whigs and Republicans. In 1861-62 he was chosen representative to the legislature, serving the first year as a member of the committee on banks, and the second year as chairman of the committee on the reform school. In 1877 he was elected to the senate from district number five, and served as a member of the committees on judiciary, finance, banks, and state inst.i.tutions. In 1878 he was re-elected to the senate, and chosen its president. He was the last president of the senate of twelve members. Of the sixty-two presidents of that body, he was the only one from district number five, or from Strafford county as now const.i.tuted. In 1880 he was elected as a delegate-at-large to the Republican national convention at Chicago.

In his domestic relations, Mr. Buffum was happily connected, and his home reflected the results of a successful business career. He was married, January 26, 1853, to Charlotte E. Stickney, daughter of Alexander H. Stickney, one of the old-time citizens of Great Falls. The issue of this union was three sons and a daughter. The wife and mother died March 8, 1868, and the daughter, May 23, 1877. Two of the sons, Edgar Stickney and Harry Austin, are graduates, and the third, David Hanson Jr., is now an undergraduate, of Yale College. Of the two little sisters left fatherless with him, one is the widow of the late Hon. John H. Burleigh, of South Berwick, Me., and the other is the wife of Isaac P. Evans, an oil-manufacturer, of Richmond, Ind. The half-brother is Timothy B. Hussey, plow-manufacturer, of North Berwick, Me., and the half-sister has presided over his household since the death of his wife.

Mr. Buffum received his youthful impressions and early religious training among the Society of Friends, whose tenets have exercised a marked influence upon his career. At Great Falls he has been a regular attendant at the Congregational church, to which he has been a liberal contributor. The many trusts committed to his care fairly prove the esteem and respect in which he has been held by his neighbors and townsmen.

HON. CHARLES ADAMS, JR., A. M.

BY REV. W. R. COCHRANE.

It appears from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. VII., and also from Drake's History and Antiquities of Boston, folio edition, 1854, that "Ap Adam (the Welsh for Adams) came out of the Marches of Wales." Their descendants appear to have lived for many generations in the English shires of Lancaster, Gloucester, and Devon.

From the latter, Henry Adams, the first of this family in America, emigrated, and settled in that part of Braintree which is now Quincy, Ma.s.s., about 1630. He died there in 1646. Twenty-four generations in the male line are given below, the first seventeen of which are copied from the authorities cited above.

1. Sir John Ap Adam, Knt., Lord Ap Adam, member of Parliament from 1296 to 1307.

2. Sir John Ap Adam Kt.

3. Sir John Ap Adam.

4. William Ap Adam.

5. Sir John Ap Adam.

6. Thomas Ap Adam.

7. Sir John Ap Adam, Knt.

8. Sir John Ap Adam, _alias_ Adams.

9. Roger Adams.

10. Thomas Adams.

11. John Adams.

12. John Adams.

13. John Adams.

14. Richard Adams.

15. William Adams.

16. Henry Adams who settled in Braintree, (now Quincy), Ma.s.s., and died 1646.

17. Edward Adams, of Medfield, Ma.s.s.

18. John Adams, of Medway, Ma.s.s.

19. Abraham Adams, of Brookfield, Ma.s.s.

20. Jesse Adams, of Brookfield, Ma.s.s.

21. Dr. Charles Adams, of Antrim, N. H.

22. Hon. Charles Adams, Jr., A. M., North Brookfield, Ma.s.s.

23. Charles Woodburn Adams, North Brookfield, Ma.s.s.

24. Charles Joseph Adams, North Brookfield, Ma.s.s.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Chat. Adams Jr.]

From Henry Adams (16), who settled in Braintree, descended the presidents. He had a large family besides the Edward named above, and among them a son Joseph, born in 1626, who married Abigail Baxter. These last had a son Joseph, born December 24, 1654. Of this second Joseph, the second son was Dea. John Adams of Braintree. Dea. John married Susanna Boylston, of Brookline, Ma.s.s., and their oldest son was John Adams, born October 19, 1735, second President of the United States. His oldest son was John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, and father of Hon. Charles Francis Adams.

Dr. Charles Adams, the twenty-first generation from Ap Adam of Wales, was son of Jesse and Miriam (Richardson) Adams, of Brookfield, Ma.s.s., and was born in that place, February 13, 1782. His early years were spent on the farm with his father. His education was chiefly acquired in the district school and Leicester Academy. He then taught some two years in Half Moon, N. Y. On his return, in 1803, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Asa Walker, of Barre, Ma.s.s., with whom he remained in practice one year after completing his studies. He came to Antrim, N.

H., and began practice in the early summer of 1807, coming to take the place of Dr. Nathan W. Cleaves, whose early and much lamented death occurred in April of that year. Dr. Adams married, February 13, 1809, Sarah McAllister, of Antrim, daughter of James and Sarah (McClary) McAllister. She was a woman of excellent tastes and superior mind, of rare patience in toil and trial, and of a sweet and winning Christian spirit,--all of which made her conspicuously worthy and attractive. She was of pure Scotch descent and strict Presbyterian opinions. She was a mother whose children might well "rise up and call her blessed." Dr.

Adams was a favorite in Antrim; was early in town office; was a successful physician; was a great reader, full of information; and was looked upon by contemporaries as an original and able man. He moved from Antrim to Oakham, Ma.s.s., in 1816, where he died of old age, March 6, 1875.

Hon. CHARLES ADAMS, JR., A. M., the subject of this sketch, was born in Antrim, January 31, 1810; in that part of the town then known as "Woodbury Village," having only eight or ten houses all told, now the large and flourishing village of South Antrim. Here he had his first schooling, under charge of f.a.n.n.y Baldwin and Daniel M. Christie, afterwards Hon. Daniel M. of Dover. Of those early school-days he retains a vivid remembrance; and he is the last of that group of scholars, or nearly the last, now living. After removal from Antrim, he continued and completed a common-school education at Oakham; was at a select school six months under Rev. John Bisbee, of Brookfield, Ma.s.s.; then he studied eight months with Rev. Josiah Clark, of Rutland, Ma.s.s.; and this was the limit of his opportunity for education. Then, though quite young, he was in a store about five years in Petersham, Ma.s.s., obtaining much practical knowledge in the course of his work. He is what called a self-made man. Few men can be found better versed in literary matters, or political economy, or the history of our land. He has been familiar with distinguished men, and is one we count winsome in the social hour, with a fund of information on most topics of conversation; with apt quotation, or vigorous repartee ever ready on his tongue. Hence he is one of the most agreeable, genial, and gentlemanly of men. He was some years book-keeper, and afterwards partner, in the immense boot and shoe-manufacturing establishment of North Brookfield (now employing from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred hands), from which company he retired just before the war.

With singular continuance, Mr. Adams has been kept in offices of trust by the people of his adopted town and state. He was clerk of North Brookfield (now of about forty-five hundred inhabitants) ten years; representative in the Ma.s.sachusetts house four years; on the executive council of Ma.s.sachusetts four years; treasurer of the state of Ma.s.sachusetts five years; and member of the senate of that state four years. And in all these cases the office sought the man, not the man the office. The writer of this knows that some of his friends were almost angry with him because he would not consent to run for congress, when the way was clear and an election sure. It is simply the truth to say that he has been in public life more than a quarter of a century; that he is a man of fixed principles and irreproachable character, a vigorous hater of shams and corruption, and held in honor throughout his adopted state.

During his administration as treasurer and receiver-general of the commonwealth, it became necessary, in arranging its financial matters, to negotiate, sign, and deliver in England, a large amount of its bonds, and Mr. Adams was commissioned by the governor and council to go to London for that purpose. After having successfully accomplished the objects of his mission, he took the opportunity of traveling for a short time on the continent of Europe, as well as in Great Britain, and especially in Scotland. In the latter country he had an ardent and loving interest, which was increased by travel there, and has lost nothing in subsequent years. He is a Scotch antiquarian of much reading and research.

Mr. Adams has always been greatly attached to his native town, Antrim,--cherishing with undiminished love the rocks and the hills upon which he looked in childhood. His visits are frequent to the old town; he still retains his membership in the old Presbyterian church; clearly remembers the old faces; loves the old ways; was a great helper in preparing the recent History of Antrim, and was a willing contributor to its embellishment. With all the rest, he has been something of a musician, being a member of the church choir (North Brookfield, Ma.s.s.,) more than forty years,--for many years its leader. And in these traits his children follow him, as they are gifted with rare musical taste and skill.

Mr. Adams married, May 8, 1834, Eliza, daughter of Hon. Joseph c.u.mmings, of Ware, Ma.s.s.; and they have three surviving children,--Charles Woodburn and George Arthur, of North Brookfield, and John Quincy, of Boston. An only daughter, Ellen Eliza, married Frank A. Smith, and died at West Brookfield in 1866.

The degree of A. M. was conferred on Mr. Adams by Dartmouth College in 1878. And it may be added that such men as Mr. Adams are continually reflecting honor upon our rocky New Hampshire, from which they went forth. Their success goes to prove, that, with an eager mind, good ready common sense, persevering application, and inflexible honesty, the boys of the Granite State may win high places among men. We see by this biography, that, if the _man be good enough_, the place will seek the man. Truth and uprightness, backed by good abilities, are pretty sure to be appreciated.

[Ill.u.s.tration: B. F. Prescott.]

GOV. BENJAMIN F. PRESCOTT.

BY COL. WILLIAM E. STEVENS.

The first person by the name of Prescott in the province of New Hampshire, was James, who came from Dryby, in the county of Lincolnshire in England, and settled in Hampton, in 1665. On his arrival he began farming operations in what is now Hampton Falls, upon the farm now known as the "Wells Healy place," and remained there until he moved to Kingston, in 1725, when that town was granted to him, and others. In 1668 he married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and Grace Boulter, who was born in Exeter, May 15, 1648. From this couple sprang the Prescotts in New Hampshire. James was the second cousin of John, who came to Ma.s.sachusetts and settled in Watertown in 1640, from whom sprang the Prescotts mainly in that state, and among them Col. William, the hero of Bunker Hill, and his grandson, William H. Prescott, the eminent scholar and historian. James is represented to have been an influential man, honest in his dealings, upright in character, sound in judgment. His opinions were sought and respected. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters. Their fourth child was Jonathan, who was born August 6, 1675. When he grew up, he settled in that part of Hampton, which, since 1737, has been known as Kensington. In 1696 he was at Fort William and Mary and remained there some time, and in 1710 served under Capt.

John Gilman in a scouting party. He had four sons and two daughters. His first child was named Jonathan. He was married, April 3, 1721, to Judith, daughter of Ebenezer and Judith (Sanborn) Gove. He was appointed, by Gov. Benning Wentworth, captain in a company, in the celebrated expedition against Louisburg, on the island of Cape Breton, under Sir William Pepperell. While on this expedition he died of fever on the 19th of January, 1746, leaving eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. His eighth child was named Nathan Gove Prescott, and was born March 13, 1735. He married, February 24, 1757, Patience Brown, of Kensington. Near the time of his marriage he moved to Epping and began work as a farmer and blacksmith. His brother Micah settled near him, on the opposite side of the road, and was engaged in the same occupation. They both signed the "a.s.sociation Test," in 1776, with two hundred and seven others in the town.

Nathan Gove Prescott had five children, three sons and two daughters, born upon the farm where he settled. He died November 13, 1825, aged nearly ninety-one years. Nathan was his first child, and was born June 25, 1759. He became a carpenter and went to Monmouth in the province of Maine, but returned to New Hampshire and died at an advanced age. He married Anna Wells and had nine children, four sons and five daughters.

His fourth son was Asa, who was born in Deerfield, May 2, 1787. He was a farmer and blacksmith. He married Polly Clark, of Greenland, and by this marriage had nine children, six sons and three daughters. He died in Epsom, March 27, 1867, aged nearly eighty years. His oldest son was named Nathan Gove Prescott, after his great-grandfather. He was born upon the homestead, November 1, 1807. He became a farmer and was successful in his work. He possessed excellent judgment on all matters relating to his occupation, and was considered by all who knew him as an excellent and thrifty farmer with the limited means at his command. He was honest, frugal, and upright. His word was never questioned, his judgment was relied upon, and his opinion respected and valued by his townsmen. On the 9th day of May, 1832, he married Betsey Hills Richards, daughter of Captain Benjamin and Mehitable (Hills) Richards, of Nottingham, who was born December 21, 1811. She is a lady of fine presence, vigorous const.i.tution, and cultivated manners. She still resides in Epping with her son. Her husband, Nathan Gove Prescott, died July 7, 1866, aged nearly sixty years. They had only one child, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PRESCOTT, who was born on the family homestead, February 26, 1833. Thus the line of ancestry has been traced from 1665.

The families on both sides can point to a fair and honorable record. The subject of this sketch inherited from his paternal and maternal line a strong const.i.tution and great power of endurance, which have aided him much in his career. Like the rest of the boys in his neighborhood, he attended the district school a few months in the summer and winter, and worked upon the farm the remainder of the time. He made commendable progress in his studies, and as soon as his age would allow, his parents, feeling the want of a liberal education themselves, determined to give their son the advantages of the higher seminaries of learning.

In the fall of 1847 he was sent to Blanchard Academy, in Pembroke, where he remained a portion of the time till 1850, when he entered Phillips Academy, in Exeter. He remained at this distinguished inst.i.tution until the summer of 1853, when he entered the soph.o.m.ore cla.s.s in Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1856. While at Exeter he delivered an oration before the "Golden Branch," a literary society, at its annual anniversary, which at the time was well received. While in college, in the winter of 1855, he taught school in Chester. At his graduation he had an oration, and was for a time president of the United Fraternity, a public society in the college. After his graduation, in the fall and winter of 1856 he taught two district schools and one private school in Epping, and in February, 1857, he entered as a student in the law firm of Henry A. & Abel H. Bellows, in Concord, and after studying the requisite time was admitted to the bar, in August, 1859. He began the practice of his profession in Concord, and remained in it until May, 1861, when he became a.s.sociate editor of the _Independent Democrat_, during the absence of Hon. George G. Fogg, United States minister to Switzerland, until the summer of 1866.

Mr. Prescott was, from his youth, strongly opposed to the inst.i.tution of slavery, and on reaching his majority allied himself with the Republican party, and cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. His father was also a Whig and then Republican. About 1858 or 1859 he was elected secretary of the Republican state committee, succeeding the Hon.

William E. Chandler, and filled that position for fifteen years, during which time many of the important and successful political campaigns were conducted.

While connected with the _Independent Democrat_, he was appointed a special agent of the United States Treasury Department for New England, his duty being, unless otherwise directed, to examine and report upon the custom-houses and their business, light-houses, revenue-cutters, sub-treasury and marine hospitals. He held this position less than three years, and was removed early in the administration of Andrew Johnson because he openly denounced the policy and course of the President. He served as secretary of the colleges of electors for New Hampshire in 1860, 1864, 1868, 1872, 1876 and 1880; he was elected secretary of state in June, 1872, 1873, 1875, and 1876. On the 10th of January, 1877, Mr.

Prescott received the nomination as the Republican candidate for governor, and on the second Tuesday of March following was elected, by a majority of thirty-six hundred and thirty-two over his compet.i.tor, Hon.

Daniel Marcy, of Portsmouth. On the 9th day of January, 1878, he was unanimously renominated at the state convention in Concord, and on the second Tuesday of March following was re-elected by a majority of nine hundred and fifty-six over his regular compet.i.tor, Hon. Frank A. McKean, of Nashua, and a plurality of fifteen hundred and twelve. On June 16, 1862, he was elected a resident member of the New Hampshire Historical Society, and was for several years vice-president of the same. In 1876 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Great Britain, also president of the Bennington (Vt.) Battle Monument a.s.sociation, also president of the Provident Mutual Relief a.s.sociation. On May 6, 1880, he was elected a delegate-at-large to the Republican convention in Chicago, and while there was chosen chairman of the New Hampshire delegation. On the 8th of December, 1881, he was elected an honorary member of the Marshfield Club in Boston. In 1874 he was appointed a trustee of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, and in 1878 he was elected a trustee of Dartmouth College, both of which positions he holds at the present time.

While governor, he was frequently called upon to address public and private gatherings, and when it did not interfere with his official duties he seldom failed to respond. His first address was at Epping, on the occasion of a public reception given him by the citizens of the town, without distinction of party, on the day after his inauguration.

The occasion was brilliant and highly complimentary. He also was present at the inauguration of Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D. D., LL.D., as president of Dartmouth College, and gave an address of welcome to this eminent scholar. The governor visited, with a large detachment of the state militia and distinguished citizens of the state, the centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington, Vt., and spoke there for the state at the banquet on that memorable occasion. He was also at state and town fairs, and meetings of various kinds held within the limits, and without the state, on all of which occasions he acquitted himself creditably, both in matter and manner, his style of speech being graceful and forcible.

Gov. Prescott was married, June 10, 1869, to Mary Little Noyes, daughter of Jefferson and Nancy (Peart) Noyes, of Concord. Mrs. Prescott was born in Atkinson, May 6, 1839. She is a lady of refined manners and a favorite in society. They have had only one child, who takes his father's name. He was born June 16, 1879, upon the family homestead.

Gov. Prescott is an excellent and successful farmer, and has a large farm under a high state of cultivation. In 1876 he erected a s.p.a.cious dwelling-house and other buildings. He has a large and well selected library.

Under Gov. Prescott's administration the laws of the state were revised, the new prison constructed, the militia re-organized, and judicial appointments made. The prison was built within the appropriation. In all his official acts Gov. Prescott was animated by a purpose single to the welfare of the state, and upon his retirement to private life, at the end of his term, he took with him the respect of its people, irrespective of party or sect. Pre-eminently a man of the people, without ostentation or pride of place beyond that which is befitting one who has filled the office of chief magistrate, he has always been as approachable to the humblest citizen as to the most exalted personage.