when the project for building a railroad which would promote its growth
and prosperity took shape, he gave himself heartily to the support of
the enterprise, and it was largely through his efforts that the three
hundred and fifty thousand dollars necessary to build the Suncook Valley
road was secured, by subscriptions to the capital stock and gratuities
from the towns along the line. As one method of helping this work to a
successful completion, he established the _Suncook Valley Times_--a
weekly paper--at Pittsfield and for two years contributed regularly to
its columns a series of historical and biographical articles, which
attracted much attention in the locality, and were widely copied and
read elsewhere. He also at one time published and edited at Manchester a
journal devoted to insurance interests; and in these publications, as
well as in those of the New Hampshire company, has established a
reputation as a vigorous, versatile, and popular writer.
The zeal, fidelity, and success with which he has managed the various
interests intrusted to him have been highly appreciated, and numerous
testimonials have borne witness to the satisfaction of his employers.
The records of the New Hampshire company contain a resolution passed
unanimously by the stockholders, in 1871, in which the unparalleled
success of the company is ascribed mainly to his zeal and efficiency;
and a similar resolution is inscribed upon the books of the Suncook
Valley Railroad.
Mr. French, while not a politician, takes a deep interest in public
affairs, and his help can always be depended on for whatever promises to
promote the public good and the well-being of the community in which he
lives. He is a genial companion, a stanch friend, and a man who wins and
holds the good opinions of a very large circle of acquaintances. He is
a member of Trinity Commandry, Knights Templar, and a director of the
Merchants National Bank.
Mr. French married, in 1858, Annie M., daughter of L. B Philbrick, Esq.,
of Deerfield, and has three children,--Lizzie A., Susie P., and George
Abram,--who reside with their parents.
HON. THOMAS COGSWELL.
The town of Gilmanton has always been distinguished for its strong and
able men, who have exercised a powerful influence in the affairs of
their town and state. It has furnished men to fill nearly every position
of trust and honor within the gift of the people of our state, and it
has ever been proud of her illustrious sons. Among the very strong men
of this old town stood Hon. THOMAS COGSWELL, who in the year 1820, at
the age of twenty-one, moved hither from Atkinson, N. H., where he was
born December 7, 1798. He was one of a family of nine children of
William and Judith (Badger) Cogswell, eight of whom lived to years of
maturity. He settled on the farm formerly occupied by his grandfather,
the Hon. Joseph Badger, and with strong hands and indomitable courage
commenced gaining a livelihood for himself and young wife, Mary Noyes,
whom he married just prior to moving here. He soon attracted the
attention of the older settlers, and in a short time became one of the
leading men in the town; and ever afterwards took an active part in all
its local affairs, and for the whole period of his life was honored and
respected by his neighbors and townsmen, and received at their hands
every office within their gift.
There is no position that more truly shows the strength and power of a
man than that of moderator of a New Hampshire town-meeting; but for many
successive years he was chosen to preside over the deliberations of the
annual and other meetings in this, then, large town, and always did so
with great dignity, and to the perfect satisfaction of all. He was also
chosen one of the board of selectmen, and represented the town in the
legislature, and while a member of that body introduced and supported a
bill to repeal the law authorizing imprisonment for debt. For ten years
he was a deputy-sheriff for the county of Strafford, before its
division, and during all this time was actively engaged in the duties of
the office. He was also treasurer of the county for three years. In 1841
he was appointed one of the judges of the court of common pleas for the
new county of Belknap, and held that position until the year 1855, when
the judiciary system of the state was changed. In 1856 he was elected a
member of the governor's council from district number three. He was a
justice of the peace and quorum for over forty years. He was an officer
in the New Hampshire militia, and attained the rank of captain. He was
of Revolutionary stock, his father and seven uncles having served in
that war, and performed, in the aggregate, thirty-eight years of
service.
For seven years in succession he taught the winter term of school in his
district, at the same time performing all the work incident to his farm,
and during his whole life was interested in and a promoter of education.
Gilmanton Academy, an institution established by the efforts of his
grandfather, Gen. Joseph Badger, and his uncle, the Hon. Thomas
Cogswell, with the assistance of many other strong and good men, early
received his aid and co-operation, and he was one of its board of
trustees up to within a few years of his death. In early life he became
a member of the Congregational church at Gilmanton Iron-Works, and was
deacon of the same for many years; and always gave freely of his means
for the advancement of the cause of the Christian religion.
[Illustration: Thomas Cogswell]
Notwithstanding the many and various duties imposed on Mr. Cogswell by
his almost continuous service in some public position, he was a large
and successful farmer, and by his own exertions added year by year to
his original farm, so that at his death he owned in one tract nearly one
thousand acres of valuable land. He was a great lover of the soil and
was always interested in the cause of agriculture, and was in every
respect a well informed and successful farmer.
He possessed, to an uncommon degree, strong natural powers of mind, and
was capable of grasping difficult questions and giving a good legal
opinion. His mind was essentially judicial, and, had he devoted himself
to the study and practice of law, would undoubtedly have been a leading
mind in that profession. For many years he was consulted by his
neighbors and townsmen upon the troubles that frequently arose between
them, and to his credit, by his clear and practical judgment, saved,
frequently, long and expensive litigation. He was true to every trust
committed to him, and was scrupulously honest and exact in all his
dealings.
In politics, Thomas Cogswell was a Democrat to the end of his life.
During the war of the rebellion, he was a strong supporter of the
government, and a friend and well-wisher of every soldier in the field.
He saw clearly and plain that his duty as an American citizen was to
render all the aid in his power to help carry on and bring to a
successful close the terrible struggle then going on. He was a lover of
his country and delighted in its free institutions; and, although strong
in his political faith, was not a partisan.
Mr. Cogswell was noted for his energy and force of character; and, when
he had once made up his mind as to a certain course to pursue, he never
changed it until he was thoroughly satisfied that he was wrong. He was a
natural leader among men, and possessed the characteristics of a great
general. He was a ready and fluent public speaker, and few men could
better entertain an audience. He excelled in strong common sense, and
could state exactly his position on any subject that interested him. He
was always well informed, particularly on the history of his country and
its many political changes. He was of commanding appearance, and was a
noticeable person in any assembly. He was of an affectionate
disposition, and sympathized with the afflictions of others. He died
August 8, 1868, and was buried in the old historic burying-ground in
Gilmanton near the dust of his illustrious ancestors; and in his death
the town lost a wise counselor, the poor a generous friend, and the
community at large an honest and upright man.
There are four children now living,--Mary C. Burgess, wife of the late
Dr. Burgess, now living in Boston, Mass.; Martha B. Batchelder, wife of
the late Dr. Batchelder, also residing in Boston; James W. Cogswell,
sheriff of Belknap county; and Thomas Cogswell, a lawyer, residing on
the old homestead at Gilmanton.
HON. PERSON C. CHENEY.
BY COL. DANIEL HALL.
Person Colby Cheney was born in that part of Holderness, N. H., which is
now Ashland, February 25, 1828. He was the sixth child in a family of
five sons and six daughters,--children of Moses and Abigail (Morrison)
Cheney,--nine of whom still survive.
Of his sisters, Sarah B. is the wife of Rev. S. G. Abbott, of Needham,
Mass.; Abby M. is the widow of George Washburn, late of Goffstown, N.
H.; Ruth E. is the wife of Joseph W. Lord, of Wollaston, Mass.; Marcia
A. is the wife of J. P. F. Smith, of Meredith, N. H.; Hattie O. is the
wife of Dr. C. F. Bonney, of Manchester, N. H.
Of his brothers, Rev. O. B. Cheney, D. D., is the president of Bates
College, Lewiston, Me., and has mainly laid the foundations of the
success and popularity of that excellent institution of learning; E. H.
Cheney is the editor and proprietor of the _Granite State Free Press_,
Lebanon, N. H.; and Moses Cheney, a manufacturer of paper at Henniker,
N. H., is retired from business.
The square, old-fashioned New England house, where the family resided,
is still to be seen. It stands in the picturesque village of Ashland,
overlooking the valley below, and commanding a view of lofty hills and
beautiful scenery. The childhood of the subject of this sketch was
passed in this venerable mansion, but his boyhood and early manhood were
passed at Peterborough, N. H., where his father was engaged in the
manufacture of paper. This gave him an early and intimate acquaintance
with the paper business, enabled him to gain a knowledge of all its
details, and gave him those habits of industry and self-reliance, which,
upon the basis of a strong natural sagacity and force of character, have
distinguished his business life. He acquired a fair education in the
ordinary branches of knowledge, in the academies at Peterborough and
Hancock, N. H., and Parsonsfield, Me.
His father removed to Holderness in 1845, having sold his interest to A.
P. Morrison; and Person C. Cheney assumed the management of the
paper-mill at Peterborough. In 1853 a firm of which Mr. Cheney was a
member built another paper-mill at Peterborough; but he soon bought out
the interest of his associates, and continued business in Peterborough
till 1866.
Mr. Cheney took an early interest in politics, and represented the town
of Peterborough in the legislature in 1853 and 1854. He entered ardently
into the memorable events of 1860 and 1861, and zealously aided and
promoted the preparation of his state for the great struggle to maintain
the Union. In due time he offered his personal services, and in August,
1862, was appointed quartermaster of the 13th Regiment, N. H. Vols., and
proceeded with the regiment to the seat of war. Joining the army of the
Potomac, he rendered faithful service to the regiment and the country
until exposure and overwork in the campaign before Fredericksburg
brought on a long and dangerous sickness. Barely escaping with his life,
he was compelled to resign and return home. He received an honorable
discharge in August, 1863. From that time till the close of the war the
Union cause at home had no more earnest or efficient friend and
champion. In 1864 he was chosen railroad commissioner of New Hampshire,
and served three years.
[Illustration: P. I. Cheney]
In 1866, Mr. Cheney removed to Manchester, and formed a partnership with
Thomas L. Thorpe, as a dealer in paper stock and manufacturer of paper
at Goffstown. In 1868 the firm of E. M. Tubbs & Co., of which Mr. Cheney
had been a member three years, bought out the interest of Mr. Thorpe,
and the business was continued under the name of P. C. Cheney & Co. In
1870 the mill at Goffstown was destroyed by fire, but was replaced by a
new mill, and the business enlarged by rebuilding the old mill at
Amoskeag village.
Mr. Cheney, upon becoming a resident of Manchester, became at once
thoroughly and prominently identified with the development and
prosperity of that rapidly growing city; and very soon his business
capacity and integrity, his liberal spirit and engaging manners,
attracted attention to him as a man not only highly fitted for public
honors, but as pre-eminently capable of commanding them at the hands of
the people. He was brought forward as a candidate for mayor of
Manchester in 1871, and elected by a larger majority than any candidate
had received since 1863. He performed the duties intelligently and to
general acceptance, but declined a re-election. In 1874, at its
organization, he was chosen president of the People's Savings Bank, and
still retains the office.
In 1875, under peculiar circumstances, Mr. Cheney became the Republican
candidate for governor. In 1874 the Republicans had lost the state for
causes which it would not be useful to recite; and the Democrats, having
control of every branch of legislation, had used their power to fortify
themselves in the possession of the state government, by making new ward
divisions in the city of Manchester, and redistricting for councilors
and senators, in such a manner as to put their adversaries at great
disadvantage, and render it almost impossible to recover the state.
Under such circumstances it became absolutely necessary for them to
place at the head of the ticket a name of the greatest personal
popularity. Such were the prestige of Mr. Cheney, gained by his
successful administration in Manchester, his personal magnetism among
those who knew him, and his well known energy as a canvasser, that,
unexpectedly to himself, he was selected as the standard-bearer of his
party, and the result proved how wisely. The hottest campaign ever known
in a state proverbial for the violence of its political contests ensued,
and there was no choice of governor by the people; but Mr. Cheney had a
plurality of the votes cast, although Judge Roberts, his competitor,
received the heaviest vote his party had ever polled in New Hampshire.
The Republicans secured a majority in the legislature, which elected Mr.
Cheney governor. In 1876, Gov. Cheney was again a candidate, and after a
canvass which exceeded in intensity even that of 1875, he was re-elected
by a flattering majority of the popular vote, which was heavier than had
ever before been cast in New Hampshire. Mr. Cheney brought to the office
of governor a patriotic love for the state and solicitude for her good
name, a clear insight, great executive ability, thorough business
habits, and personal dignity, urbanity, and tact of a high order. These
qualities, combined with his undoubted integrity and earnestness of
purpose, enabled him to give the state a most prudent and successful
administration of its affairs. The retrenchment of expenses, so much
needed in a period of financial depression following years of sharp
distress, was kept steadily in view, and a thorough business system
inaugurated in all branches of the government; the affairs of the
adjutant-general's office were redeemed from years of neglect and
confusion; the state debt was materially reduced; at his suggestion a
law was passed requiring vouchers to be filed for all disbursements from
the governor's contingent fund; and the finances of the state were left
in all respects upon a sound and stable basis. The prominent part of New
Hampshire in the Centennial Exposition was due largely to his foresight,
his faith in its benefits, and his untiring efforts in its behalf. None
who participated in them will ever forget the brilliant success of "New
Hampshire Day" at Philadelphia, or the reception of Governor and Mrs.
Cheney, during his term of office, to the members of the legislature and
the citizens of Concord, at White's Opera House, which was a memorable
social event.
Gov. Cheney retired from office with the universal respect and esteem of
men of all parties, and has since devoted himself closely to business.
On the death of his partner, Dr. Tubbs, in 1878, Gov. Cheney purchased
his quarter interest, and thus became sole proprietor of the business.
The following year he converted the property of the old "Peterborough
Company" at Peterborough, into a pulp-mill, and obtained an amendment of
the charter, by act of the legislature, changing its name to the "P. C.
Cheney Company." This charter is among the oldest in the state, having
been granted in 1833, and bears the names of Charles H. Atherton, Samuel
Appleton, Samuel May, Isaac Parker, Nathan Appleton, and others, as
grantees. The original charter authorizes the company to extend its
operations to any town in the state.
In 1880 the company commenced operations for increasing its production
by building both a pulp and paper mill in connection with the old one at
Manchester. This enterprise has been carried to completion, and thereby
doubled in amount an already extensive business. Consequently the
corporation, the stock of which is held by Gov. Cheney solely, now owns
and carries on wood-pulp mills at Goffstown and Peterborough, and also
one in connection with its paper-mill and waste-works at Manchester. Its
paper-warehouse is at No. 1104 Elm street. The product of these various
establishments, and their monthly disbursements for labor and services,
are very large; and it is doubtful if a more important business has been
built up in our state by the courage, foresight, and skill of one man.
Gov. Cheney is an indefatigable worker, and keeps all the details of his
extensive and complicated business within easy command.
He is identified with the First Unitarian church of Manchester, and has
been a director and president of the society. He is a Royal Arch Mason,
and member of the Altemont Lodge; also a member of Peterborough Lodge,
I. O. O. F.
In 1850 he was married to Miss S. Anna Moore, who died January 8, 1858,
leaving no children. He married, June 29, 1859, Mrs. Sarah White Keith,
daughter of Jonathan White, formerly of Lowell, Mass., one of the
earliest of Lowell's manufacturers, by whom he has one daughter, Agnes
Annie Cheney, born October 22, 1869. His domestic life is singularly
happy and charming. His residence, No. 136 Lowell street, is a home of
modest elegance, of courtly hospitality, and the center of a refined
circle. It is not too much to say that to the affectionate sympathy, the
grace, and fine social tact of his accomplished wife, Gov. Cheney owes
not only the enjoyments of a delightful home, but much of the success
and popularity of his career.
The bare outlines of Gov. Cheney's life, as above given, convey but a
faint impression of the essential quality of the man, and his importance
as a factor in the social, business, and political life of his day and
generation. It remains to be said that in Manchester his name is the
synonym for liberality, public spirit, a generous and helpful charity,
and a philanthropy, which, though unobtrusive, loses no opportunity to
exert itself for the relief of distress and the elevation of society at
large. Of a sympathetic nature, he cares more for others than himself,
and no deserving person or worthy object ever solicits his aid in vain.
He is prominent in every movement for the public good, and never spares
himself, nor grudges the means which his business sagacity, energy and
enterprise have gained for him, when work is to be done for a good
cause, or help is needed for anybody in poverty or distress.
Mr. Cheney is still in the prime of life, and his useful service, his
honorable and upright character, his high and unselfish aims, have made
him a power in the state. A brave, true, and honest man, a sincere and
warm-hearted friend, of positive convictions, of unflinching devotion to
principle, and fitted for any station, he is obviously in the line of
succession to still higher honors than have been accorded him. It goes
without saying that such a man has hosts of friends; and certain it is
that he is second to no man in New Hampshire in those elements of
popular strength and confidence which commend men to public service.
An earlier biographer, from whose sketch most of this is derived,
appropriately closes his delineation of him with the remark, that "Mr.
Cheney may yet be drawn from the seclusion of private life, and the
unremitting toil of active business, to lend his aid to the councils of
a nation."
HON. PHINEHAS ADAMS.
BY ARTHUR P. DODGE.
Phinehas Adams was born in Medway, Mass., the twentieth day of June,
1814, and comes from the very best Revolutionary stock of New England.
His grandfather and great-grandfather participated in the battle of
Bunker Hill, and served through that memorable war. He had three
brothers and seven sisters, of whom the former all died previous to
1831. Three sisters are now living: Sarah Ann, born in 1816, the wife of
E. B. Hammond, M. D., of Nashua; Eliza P., born in 1820, widow of the
late Ira Stone, formerly an overseer in the Stark Mills; and Mary Jane,
born in 1822, widow of the late James Buncher, a former designer for the
Merrimack Print-Works at Lowell, Mass. Mrs. Buncher is the present
popular and very efficient librarian of the Manchester public library.
His father, Phinehas Adams, senior, married Sarah W. Barber, a native of
Holliston, Mass., in 1811. Her father was an Englishman, who came to
America from Warrenton, England, during the Revolutionary war, and
married in this country a Scottish lady who came from Edinburgh.
Phinehas Adams, the senior, was both a farmer and a mechanic, and became
quite an extensive manufacturer. At a very early date he constructed
hand-looms, which he employed girls to operate; and, subsequently,
started the first power-loom that was ever established in this country,
at Waltham, Mass., in the year 1814.
In this year and in the same town he became a mill overseer, and
afterwards gave his whole attention to manufacturing. He resided, when
Phinehas was a child, at different times in Waltham and Cambridge,
Mass., and in Nashua, to which latter place he removed later in life,
and became proprietor of a hotel, the Central House. This business was
more agreeable to him, since he had broken several of his ribs and
received other injuries from an unfortunate fall.
Hon. William P. Newell, of Manchester, who was agent of the Amoskeag
company from 1837 to 1846, was once a bobbin-boy for the elder Adams.
This was ten years before the son, who was attending a private school in
West Newton, Mass., until 1827, began to work in the mills. In the
last-named year, his father became agent of the Neponset Manufacturing
Company's mills--which were owned by himself, Dr. Oliver Dean, and
others--at Walpole, in the same state; and to this place he removed his
residence.
[Illustration: Phins. Adams]