of poring over books being to him rather dry and irksome; but his father
said to him that he must either study or go to work in the mill. At the
latter place he was soon found engaged in a work well calculated to
dispel boyish romance in a summary manner. He almost repented making
this choice, but pluckily "stuck to the work" with the indomitable
perseverance so often displayed in after life, and was employed as a
bobbin-boy for a year by the company. He then entered Wrentham Academy,
where he remained, making progress in his studies, for a year and a
half, when his father was compelled to inform him that he had met with
serious losses by reason of the failure of the company, and that he,
Phinehas, would now leave the academy and go to work. The father very
much regretted feeling obliged to take this course, having cherished the
hope of being able to give his son a thorough education. The latter
readily accepted the situation, replied to his father that he was ready
and willing to work, but, that if he must go to work in a mill, he
preferred that it should be in a large one, and not in a "one-horse
concern;" for he desired a wide field and the best possible
opportunities to gain a knowledge of the business in its many details.
One of the greatest events in the commercial history of our country was
the founding of the "City of Spindles," in 1821. Very naturally, the
junior Adams was led to go there to gain his desired knowledge. On the
10th of November, 1829, he proceeded to Lowell, and at the age of
fifteen became employed as bobbin-boy in the mills of the Merrimack
company. At that time, the company had only about thirty thousand
spindles in its mills.
In these early days of manufacturing, the system was adhered to in
Lowell of keeping fierce bull-dogs--one, at least--in each mill. They
were liberally fed with fresh meat, _not_ for the purpose of making them
_less_ savage, and chained near the entrance to the mill, making
effectual sentinels while the watch-_men_ were making their rounds. This
custom was followed until about 1831.
Mr. Adams was early possessed of an ambition to become an overseer; and
to this end he labored hard and faithfully, never thinking or dreaming,
however, that he would become agent of a large mill. This was his real
beginning, the wedding to his long and uninterrupted manufacturing life,
the "golden wedding" anniversary of which event occurred in November,
1879.
Soon after his commencement at Lowell, he was promoted to the position
of second overseer in the weaving department, a post he retained until
1831, when he passed to a similar position in the Methuen Company's
mill, of which his uncle was agent. In 1833 he made another change,
going to Hooksett, where he became overseer in the Hooksett
Manufacturing Company's mills, of which his father was then the agent.
Not long afterwards he assumed a similar position in the Pittsfield
Manufacturing Company's mill, at Pittsfield, then under the
administration of Ithamar A. Beard. Mr. Adams remained in Pittsfield
from December, 1834, until Mr. Beard resigned.
On the 7th of March, 1835, Mr. Adams, who had previously decided to
return to Lowell, left Pittsfield; embarked in the mail stage, and found
himself about noon of the next day at Nashua, where his parents then
resided. In those days there was no city of Manchester, neither was
there a splendid railroad service running through the fertile Merrimack
valley. But the waters of the Merrimack, though scarcely at all utilized
at that time to propel water-wheels, carried upon its bosom heavily
laden vessels from Boston, _via_ the old Middlesex canal, which ran as
far north as Concord. Locks were in use at Garvin's Falls, Hooksett,
Manchester, Goffe's Falls, Nashua, and at other points. A passenger
steamer plied in those days between Lowell and Nashua upon the river.
Mr. Adams remained at home only until Monday. He was industriously
inclined, and proceeded immediately to the Merrimack Mills in Lowell,
the scene of his earlier labors, where he accepted the office of
overseer. He remained with this company until he came to Manchester, in
1846. In December, 1841, John Clark, the agent of the Merrimack Mills at
Lowell, proposed that Mr. Adams should enter the office as a clerk. This
idea was very distasteful to Mr. Adams, but he yielded to the wishes and
advice of Mr. Clark, to get acquainted with book-keeping and the general
business of the mills, to prepare for a higher position. For five years
he held this position.
In the year 1846, Mr. Adams left Lowell to assume the agency (succeeding
the Hon. William P. Newell) of the "Old Amoskeag Mills," then located on
the west side of the Merrimack River at Amoskeag Falls,--now a part of
the city of Manchester,--on the present site of ex-Governor P. C.
Cheney's paper-mill. The building of the Amoskeag mills was the
beginning of Manchester's wonderful career of prosperity, which has
developed to such great proportions. Her many mills, now running more
than three hundred thousand spindles, many looms, and many
cloth-printing machines, and the many other signs of industry, are
abundantly attesting to the truth of the statement. With the Amoskeag
company Mr. Adams remained until the 17th of November, 1847, when he
became agent of the Stark Mills.
Of the great manufactories of Manchester, that of the Stark Mills
company ranks third in magnitude and second in age. This company was
organized September 26, 1838, and began active operations during the
following year. During its forty years and more of busy existence, up to
April 30, 1881, when Mr. Adams resigned on account of ill health, it had
but two resident agents: John A. Burnham held the position from the
inception of the corporation until the 17th of November, 1847, the date
marking the commencement of the long term of service of the subject of
this sketch. At that time the capital of the Stark Mills company was the
same as now,--one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The
shares, the par value of which was one thousand dollars, were worth six
or seven hundred dollars when Colonel Adams was chosen agent; but they
had risen to fourteen or fifteen hundred dollars when he resigned.
In the early days of New England manufacturing, more labor was performed
by hand than is to-day; and, though substantially the same machinery was
employed, yet it had by no means attained its present capacity and
wonderful completeness. In December, 1863, Mr. Adams was commissioned by
the directors of the Stark Mills to go to Europe for the purpose of
securing machinery, and information relating to the manufacture of linen
goods. At that time, owing to the war, cotton goods were very scarce and
expensive. For unmanufactured cotton itself the Stark company paid as
high as one dollar and eighty-six cents per pound, and a higher price
than even that was paid by other companies. A bale of cotton brought
nine hundred and thirty dollars. Mr. Adams traveled extensively through
England, Scotland, and Ireland, and visited the city of Paris. He
ordered considerable machinery of the English manufacturers, who were
very busy with American orders at the time. So great, in fact, was the
demand upon them, that the Stark machinery did not arrive until the
September following, nearly a year after being ordered.
From choice, Colonel Adams has been quite clear of politics, having only
served as ward clerk when a young man in Lowell, and, later, as a
presidential elector for General Grant. He was Governor Straw's
chief-of-staff, which, by the way, it is believed never "turned out in a
body" as such. He was also four years a director in the Concord
Railroad, just after the decease of Governor Gilmore. About the year
1848 he was chosen one of the assistant engineers of the Manchester fire
department, in which capacity he served with peculiar fidelity for
twelve years. Mr. Adams and the other engineers resigned their positions
after two steamers had been obtained, thus giving the captains of the
old companies chances of promotion. Never being "up for office," as were
many of his friends, he could act with positive independence; and he
invariably did act, as he thought, for the best interests of the city.
Col. Adams has for a long time been closely identified with the moneyed
institutions of Manchester, having served as a director in the Merrimack
River Bank from 1857 to 1860, the same in the Manchester National Bank
from 1865 to the present time; and as a trustee in the Manchester
Savings Bank nearly all the time since it obtained its charter. Since
the decease of Hon. Herman Foster, Mr. Adams has been one of the
committee on loans for the latter institution. He is one of the
directors of the Gas-Light Company, and was for many years a trustee of
the public library. He was elected, in 1865, one of the original
directors of the New England Cotton Manufacturers' Association.
For many years, Mr. Adams has been engaged, as opportunity occurred, in
procuring rare coins and medals. Of the former, he now possesses very
complete collections of the various denominations in gold, silver,
nickel, and copper; and he has a great number of valuable medals. Many
of these antiquities command a very high price in the market, their
numbers being absolutely limited, and the demand for them steadily
increasing.
During the administration of Colonel Adams, which covered a long series
of eventful years, a great many changes occurred. In what may be called,
more particularly, the manufacturing world is this especially true. He
is the oldest agent and the longest in such position in the city,--nay,
more, in the entire Merrimack valley; and most of those holding similar
positions thirty-two years ago are now passed from this life. That fine
old estate on Hanover street, for a long time known as the "Harris
estate," was formerly owned by the Stark company, who built the
commodious mansion now converted into a charitable institution,--the
"Orphans' Home,"--for the use of their agents. John A. Burnham was its
first occupant; and next, Mr. Adams, who resided there nine years,
beginning with 1847.
When Baldwin & Co.'s steam mill on Manchester street, where D. B.
Varney's brass foundry is located, was, with other structures, burned on
the 5th of July, 1852, that house, then occupied by Mr. Adams, was set
on fire by the flying sparks; but the fire was speedily extinguished.
Mr. Adams was at the time attending to his duties as engineer where the
fire raged the fiercest. Thus Mrs. Adams and those of her household were
without protection of the sterner sex in the early part of their peril.
Soon, however, aid was proffered by several men, of whom Mrs. Adams
admitted Mr. Walter Adriance and three others, friends of the family,
whereupon she securely barricaded the doors. The work of passing water
to the roof was very lively for a while.
In 1856, Mr. Adams moved into the house No. 2 Water street, where he
lived about nine years, when he purchased his present fine residence,
No. 18 Brook Street.
On the 24th of September, 1839, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with
Miss Elizabeth P. Simpson, daughter of the late Deacon Samuel Simpson,
of Deerfield, a veteran in the war of 1812. Mrs. Adams's paternal
grandfather, Major John Simpson, participated in the battle of Bunker
Hill, and, it is said upon good authority, fired the first shot, on the
American side, of that famous engagement.
It occurred in this wise: The men in his line were instructed by their
commander, Colonel Stark, not to fire a gun until the British had
arrived at a certain point, forty paces distant from the American works.
When the red-coated invaders had advanced to within that distance, the
major (who was then a private), an excellent marksman, being unable to
withstand so good an opportunity, fired before the order was given, and
dropped his man. The fire was then opened along the whole line. On being
reproved for disobeying orders, Mr. Simpson replied, "I never could help
firing when game which I was after came within gun-shot." He died
October 28, 1825.
From this happy union of Mr. Adams with Miss Simpson two children have
sprung: Elizabeth, born June 15, 1842, and Phinehas Adams, Jr., born
December 26, 1844,--both being born in the same house in the city of
Lowell. The former is the wife of Daniel C. Gould, paymaster of the
Stark Mills, and the popular tenor singer at the Franklin-street church,
to whom she was married the 10th of September, 1868. Mr. Gould is the
son of Deacon Daniel Gould, who was the first railroad-station agent in
Manchester, a position he held until succeeded by the late Henry
Hurlburt. Mr. Phinehas Adams, Jr., married Miss Anna P. Morrison, of
Belfast, Maine.
About a year after being married, Phinehas Adams joined the First
Congregational church in Lowell. Mrs. Adams was a member of the same
church. On removing to Manchester, both had their relation transferred
to the Franklin-street Congregational church.
At a business meeting of the Stark Corporation directors, in 1879, on
the suggestion of Edmund Dwight, it was voted to present Colonel Adams
with a suitable token, bearing testimony of the high respect in which he
is held by them. Therefore, on the 17th of November, 1879, that being
the date completing his thirty-two years of service as agent of that
corporation, they presented him with one of the most valuable gold
watches made by the Waltham company, together with a massive gold chain
and an elegant seal. Inside the watch-case is engraved the following:
"The Stark Mills to Phinehas Adams, November 17, 1847-1879. William
Amory. Edmund Dwight, treasurer." Accompanying these superb gifts was
the following letter, expressive of sentiments that any honorable man
would be justly proud to merit:--
"BOSTON, November 15, 1879.
"_My Dear Sir_,--I send you a watch and chain by request of the
directors of the Stark Mills. It will reach you on the
anniversary of the day on which you entered their service,
thirty-two years ago. Will you receive it as an expression of
their great respect for your character, and their high
appreciation of the service you have rendered the corporation
during the third part of a century?
"It is their sincere hope that the connection which has lasted
so long may long continue.
"With great regard, yours sincerely,
"EDMUND DWIGHT, _Treasurer_."
"PHINEHAS ADAMS, ESQ."
This testimonial was eminently deserved, as no one is held in greater or
more universal respect than is the upright, courteous, and genial
recipient.
Right here it may be as well to put on record the fact that Mr. Adams
has never used tobacco or intoxicating liquors during his life. The life
of Mr. Adams proves that tireless persistence and devotion to duty
accomplish much. The influence exerted by his life is far greater than
is commonly supposed or realized. It can hardly fail to stimulate young
men to honorable exertions, and to teach them that extensive notoriety
is not necessarily indicative of true greatness, and also that too eager
grasping after mere political distinction or after temporal riches is
far less desirable than linking their lives to immortal principles. No
sermon could be more potent than such a life as this, illustrating the
fact that exalted character is the choicest of all possessions, bearing
ever large interest in this life, and likewise in the life hereafter.
GENEALOGY.
_The "Phinehas Adams" Branch of the Adams Family, copied from the
Original Chart prepared by Elijah Adams, and dated Medfield, May 2,
1798._
HENRY ADAMS, Devonshire.
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PETER, JOSEPH, HENRY, ----, EDWARD, SAMUEL, JONATHAN.
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----------------------------+------------------
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JONATHAN, HENRY, JAMES, JOHN, ELISHA, EDWARD, ELISHAB.
|
------------------------+----+---------------------------------
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OBADIAH, JOHN, THOMAS, JEREMIAH, ELEAZER, ABRAHAM, DANIEL, PHINEHAS, EDWARD.
|
----------+-----+---------
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BENJAMIN, JOHN, ELEAZER, SETH.
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--------------------+------+----------------------------
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JOHN, JUDE, JOEL, PHINEHAS, JAMES, ELIAS, HEZEKIAH, ELEAZER.
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--------------+-----+------------------
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ASAHEL, BARZILLAI, PHINEHAS, WILLIAM, LOWELL.
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----------------+-+----------
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ASAHEL, ASAHEL, PHINEHAS, ASAHEL.
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---+---+
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PHINEHAS.
NATHANIEL WHITE.
The ancestors of NATHANIEL WHITE were among the hardy pioneers who
settled New England two hundred and fifty years ago, William White, the
founder of the family in this country, having come from England and
landed at Ipswich, Mass., in 1635. The descendants of William were among
the earliest settlers of northern New Hampshire.
Nathaniel White, the subject of this sketch, the oldest child of Samuel
and Sarah (Freeman) White, was born in Lancaster, February 7, 1811. His
childhood was passed under a tender mother's care; and to her strict
religious training he was indebted for the noble character which led him
untainted amid the temptations of youth, and unspotted through a long
career of usefulness. At home were those principles of integrity,
honesty, temperance, philanthropy, and generosity inculcated which led
to a long life rounded by Christian virtues, adorned by humanitarian
graces, and free from vices.
At the age of fourteen he went into the employ of a merchant of
Lunenburg, Vt., with whom he remained about one year, when he accepted
employment with Gen. John Wilson, of Lancaster, who was just entering
upon his duties as landlord of the Columbian hotel in Concord. His
parents more readily consented to his taking this step on account of the
many noble qualities of Mrs. Wilson. To her care he was intrusted by his
solicitous mother. In the employ of Gen. Wilson, Nathaniel White
commenced life in Concord at the foot of the ladder. He arrived in
Concord, August 25, 1826, with one shilling in his pocket. For five
years, or until he came of age, he continued at the Columbian, rendering
a strict account of his wages to his father, and saving the dimes and
quarters which came as perquisites, until by his twenty-first birthday
he had a fund of two hundred and fifty dollars.
In 1832 he made his first business venture, negotiating the first and
last business loan of his life, and purchased a part interest in the
stage route between Concord and Hanover, and occupying the "box" himself
for a few years. In one year he was free from debt. Soon after, he
bought into the stage route between Concord and Lowell. In 1838, in
company with Capt. William Walker, he initiated the express business,
making three trips weekly to Boston, and personally attending to the
delivery of packages, goods, or money, and other business intrusted to
him. He was ever punctual; he never forgot. In 1842, upon the opening of
the Concord Railroad, he was one of the original partners of the express
company which was then organized to deliver goods throughout New
Hampshire and Canada. The company, under various names, has continued in
successful operation to the present day; and to Nathaniel White's
business capacity has it been greatly indebted for its remarkable
financial success.
In 1846, Mr. White purchased his farm, and has cultivated it since that
date. It lies in the southwestern section of the city, two miles from
the state-house, and embraces over four hundred acres of land. For his
adopted home he ever felt and evinced a strong attachment, and to him
Concord owes much of her material prosperity and outward adornment.
Beautiful structures have been raised through his instrumentality, which
render the capitol and the State-House park such attractive features of
the city.
[Illustration: Nath White]
In 1852 he made his first step in political life, being chosen by the
Whigs and Free-soilers to represent Concord in the state legislature. He
was an Abolitionist from the start; a member of the Anti-Slavery society
from its inception. His hospitable home was the refuge of many a hunted
slave,--a veritable station on the under-ground railroad, where welcome,
care, food, and money were freely bestowed, and the refugees were sent
on their way rejoicing. The attic of his house and the hay-mows of his
stable were the havens of rest for the persecuted black men.
In all works of charity and philanthropy, Mr. White was foremost or
prominent. He was deeply interested in the establishment of the New
Hampshire Asylum for the Insane and the State Reform School; in the
Orphans' Home, at Franklin, which he liberally endowed; and the Home for
the Aged, in Concord, which was his special care. The Reform club of
Concord, though not an eleemosynary institution, received substantial
benefits from his generosity; and to him, in a great measure, it owed
its very existence during the reaction which followed the first
enthusiasm.
Besides his extensive interest in the express company, his farm,--which
is one of the most highly cultivated in the state,--his charming summer
retreat on the borders of Lake Sunapee, and his real estate in Concord,
he was interested in real estate in Chicago, in hotel property in the
mountain districts, in railroad corporations, in banks, in manufacturing
establishments, and in shipping. He was a director in the Manchester &
Lawrence, the Franconia & Profile House, and the Mount Washington
railroads, and in the National State Capital Bank; a trustee of the Loan
and Trust Savings Bank of Concord; also of the Reform School, Home for
the Aged, and Orphans' Home, and other private and public trusts.
In 1875, Nathaniel White was candidate for governor, of the Prohibition
party; and he had a vast number of friends in the Republican party, with
which he was most closely identified, who wished to secure his
nomination for the highest honor within the gift of a state, by the
Republican party. In 1876 he was sent as a delegate to the Cincinnati
convention, which nominated Mr. Hayes for president. During the summer
of 1880, he was placed by his party at the head of the list of
candidates for presidential electors. With all these honors thrust upon
him, Nathaniel White was not a politician, although firm in his own
political convictions. The office sought the man, and not the man the
office.
Nathaniel White was blessed in his marriage relations. His history is
incomplete without a narration of the perfect union, complete
confidence, and mutual trust and assistance between him and his wife,
during a married life of nearly half a century. November 1, 1836, he was
married, by Rev. Hubert Bartlett, of Laconia, to Armenia S., daughter of
John Aldrich, of Boscawen, who survives him. Mrs. Armenia S. White is of
good old Quaker stock, descending, in the sixth generation, from Moses
Aldrich, a Quaker preacher who emigrated to this country in the
seventeenth century and settled in Rhode Island: and on the maternal
side, from Edward Dotey, a pilgrim who landed in the Mayflower. She was
born November 1, 1817, in Mendon, Mass., her parents removing from Rhode
Island at the time of their marriage. In 1830, she went with her parents
to Boscawen, where she lived until her marriage. Mrs. White has been her
husband's companion and helper in every good work.
Their children are John A. White, Armenia E. White, wife of Horatio
Hobbs, Lizzie H. White, Nathaniel White, Jr., and Benjamin C. White,
who survive. They lost two children,--Annie Frances and Seldon F.; and
adopted one,--Hattie S., wife of Dr. D. P. Dearborn, of Brattleborough,
Vt.
In early life Mr. White joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He
belonged to no other secret society. Anti-slavery societies, temperance
societies, charitable and benevolent societies, woman suffrage and equal
rights societies, and the Universalist society,--in all of these both
husband and wife were deeply and equally interested. During the first
four years of their married life, on account of Mr. White's occupation,
they boarded; for eight years they lived on Warren street; since 1848,
until the death of Mr. White, in their residence on School street. Here
they have meted out generous and refined hospitality to the humble
slave, the unfortunate, and to the most illustrious guests who have
honored Concord by their visits.
Nathaniel White died Saturday, October 2, 1880, having nearly completed
the allotted span of three score years and ten. He was stricken down
suddenly, although, with his usual business foresight, he seems to have
been prepared for the change.
Among the tributes to his worth which were called out by his death was a
letter by Hon. H. P. Rolfe, which presents a just and fair estimate of
his character, as follows:--