paper-making industry of New England for many years, and is widely known
as one of Manchester's wealthy and influential citizens, is the son of a
Vermont farmer. His parents were Truman and Mary (Noyes) Martin, whose
homestead was at Peacham, where they resided with their five sons and
four daughters. Their son Benjamin Franklin was born July 21, 1813, and
passed his youth at home, attending the short district schools, and
filling the long vacations with farm work and the few recreations that
were then open to farmers' boys. He also had the advantage of some
instruction at the Peacham Academy, and when he arrived at the age of
eighteen was thought to be sufficiently educated in books to begin a
business career, to which he was naturally inclined. He accordingly went
to Meredith Bridge, now Laconia, to learn paper-making in a mill owned
by an older brother. He spent one year in this mill, and then next
served as a journeyman in one at Millbury, Mass., where he acquired a
thorough knowledge of the business. Mr. Martin then formed a partnership
with a brother-in-law, the late Thomas Rice, for the manufacture of
paper at Newton Lower Falls, Mass., where he remained until 1844, when
he removed to Middleton, Mass., and purchased a mill there, which he
successfully operated for nine years. In 1853 he had arranged to locate
in Lawrence, Mass., but the inducements offered him to go to Manchester
were sufficient to change his plans, and he at once commenced the
erection of a mill at Amoskeag Falls. This was soon completed, and in it
Mr. Martin carried on for twelve years an extensive and profitable
business. In 1865 he sold it to Hudson Keeney, but four years later
repurchased it, and continued to operate it until 1874, when he sold the
establishment to John Hoyt & Co., and retired to enjoy the fruits of his
well directed industry and sagacity.
The demands of his business have left Mr. Martin little time for
office-holding; but in 1857 and 1858 he represented ward three in the
common council, and in 1860 was a member of the board of aldermen. In
1863 and 1864 he was a member of the state legislature, and also served
as a colonel on the staff of Gov. Gilmore. In 1860 he was a delegate to
the national convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln.
He was elected a director of the Merrimack River Bank when it was
organized, in 1854, and was chosen its president in 1859, but resigned
the next year. He was one of the first trustees of the Merrimack River
Five Cent Savings Bank, and its vice-president in 1860. He was a
director of the Manchester Bank under its state charter, and has since
held a similar position in the Manchester National Bank, and is a
trustee in the Manchester Savings Bank. He has long been connected with
the Portsmouth and Manchester & Lawrence railroads as a director, and
since 1878 has been president of the Manchester & Lawrence. He is now
president of the Manchester Gas Company.
Col. Martin married, January 3, 1836, Mary Ann Rice, of Boston, a sister
of Hon. Alexander H. and Willard Rice, by whom he has had three
daughters, Fanny R., the wife of Hon. George B. Chandler, being the only
one now living.
Mr. Martin is, in the best sense of the term, a successful business man.
He is a master of the art of paper-making, which was carried in his mill
to a high degree of perfection. His standing in the commercial world is
such as only a long and uninterrupted course of honorable dealing and
unexceptional promptness in responding to every obligation secures. He
was quick to see the possibilities of his business, always ready to
improve opportunities, and judicious in the execution of all his plans.
In Manchester, he is highly honored and respected as a citizen, whose
prosperity contributed to that of others, and as a man whose integrity
is beyond suspicion, and whose private life is above reproach. He has
been a great help to the city in which he has acquired most of his
wealth, not only in building one of her great factories in which
hundreds of men have found steady and profitable employment, but in
giving liberally to her charities and other institutions which have
depended upon the generosity of the public, and in discharging all the
duties of a public-spirited citizen. He has long been one of the chief
supporters of the Episcopal church, where he worships, and a willing
helper of the Republican party, with which he has always acted. His home
is one of the most elegant in Manchester; and it is the home of good
taste, comfort, happiness, and hospitality.
[Illustration: Dexter Richards]
HON. DEXTER RICHARDS.
BY JOSEPH W. PARMELEE.
From the twelve immigrants of the name of Richards that originally came
from England to this country, at different times, in the years from 1630
to 1728, have come, as may be seen by the records of the New England
Historic-Genealogical Society, in Boston, a great number of descendants,
who, from the beginning, have borne a royal part in the toils and trials
and hardships of our early time, and who are to-day represented in the
learned professions, the arts, commerce, and manufactures, and general
business of this great country.
The sixth of these immigrants, in point of time, was Edward Richards, a
passenger in the ship Lion, from London, who landed in Boston, September
16, 1632. His brother, Nathaniel, was also a passenger. Nathaniel
afterward joined the party of Rev. Mr. Hooker,--a memorable
expedition,--and with it traversed the then howling wilderness to the
valley of the Connecticut, and was among the founders of Hartford.
Edward Richards was, for a time, resident at Cambridge, Mass., where he
married, September 10, 1638, Susan Hunting. He was afterward one of the
sixty-two original proprietors of the town of Dedham, near Boston, where
he lived, and died in 1684, and where many of his descendants are to be
found at this time. We follow the descent of the line from Edward (1),
through John (2), John (3), John (4), Abiathar (5), to Sylvanus in the
sixth generation, who, about the beginning of this century, moved, with
his family, to Newport, N. H., where he settled on a large tract of land
in the western part of the township, on what is known as the old road to
Claremont. The place is now (1882) in possession of Shepard H. Cutting.
Mr. Richards was, for some years, one of the largest land-holders and
tax-payers in the town. In connection with his farming business he kept
a way-side inn, where rest and refreshment awaited the dusty and chilly
traveler,--man and beast. This was nearly three-quarters of a century
before the scream of the locomotive was ever heard in this part of New
Hampshire, a time when the people were mostly dependent upon their own
resources, in regard to methods of travel and transportation.
About the year 1812, Sylvanus Richards moved to Newport Village, and
became the proprietor of the "Rising Sun" tavern, a house originally
built and occupied as a public house by Gordon Buell, the father of the
late Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, of Philadelphia, the accomplished writer and
editor of the _Lady's Book_. It was in this house that DEXTER RICHARDS
was born.
Of the four children, all sons, born to Sylvanus and Lucy (Richardson)
his wife, was Seth Richards (7), born in Dedham, Mass., February 20,
1792, who grew up to aid him in his business, and ultimately succeeded
to the proprietorship of the "Rising Sun." The writer remembers Capt.
Seth Richards as a man of great personal activity and tact in business,
of irreproachable integrity in all his transactions with his fellow-men
through a long and busy life, genial and benevolent, a downright
gentleman of the old school, and in his departure leaving a place in the
social and business affairs of this community exceedingly difficult to
fill. He was often called by his fellow-citizens to fill town offices
and places of trust and responsibility, and was chosen as a
representative to the state legislature in 1833.
After leaving the hotel he turned his attention to the mercantile
business, and was for some time a clerk in the store of Erastus Baldwin,
one of the earlier merchants of the town. In 1835, when the Cheneys
retired from Newport, he purchased their stock and trade, and the "old
stand," and continued the business successfully for many years, or until
about the year 1853, when he became interested in the Sugar River
flannel-mills,--of which we shall have more to say hereafter,--and
finally retired from active life about the year 1867.
Captain Richards married, April 8, 1817, Fanny Richards, of Dedham,
Mass., and to them were born, in the years from 1818 to 1834, two sons
and six daughters. In regard to the family of Seth and Fanny Richards,
we may say that no more pleasant and hospitable home ever opened its
doors in Newport. They died in the faith and communion of the
Congregational church. Fanny died August 11, 1854. Seth died October 30,
1871.
Of the children of Seth and Fanny Richards, was Dexter, born September
5, 1818, who is more particularly the subject of this sketch. Tracing
his genealogy, we find him in the eighth generation from Edward in the
line of the American Richardses. To say that Dexter Richards was born
with a silver spoon in his mouth would belie the facts in the case; but
to say that he comes through a worthy line of ancestors, and that he
inherits their good and noble qualities and best abilities, will meet
our case at the threshold. He has some time said that he never had any
childhood or youth, in the common acceptation of the term; that in his
early years his parents were in moderate circumstances, and, being the
eldest son of a family mostly daughters, he was called to work, and
think of ways and means for promoting their welfare. While other lads of
his age were engaged in their sports and pastimes, or enjoying public
occasions like the old-fashioned trainings and musters, Fourth-of-July
celebrations, or town-meetings and court days, he early manifested a
natural tact for business, by engaging in some juvenile enterprise by
which to turn an honest penny with the crowd.
The public school in district number two afforded him an opportunity for
learning the rudiments of knowledge, which was eagerly improved, summer
and winter, as he could be spared from other duties. When about eighteen
years of age he finished his education, so far as schools are concerned,
with a term or two at a high school in Lebanon, under the tutelage of
the late eminent Prof. Edmund R. Peaslee. Mr. Richards has, therefore,
never been through with what is termed a regular course of study, and
comes to us with no diploma from college or hall. The most important
part of his education has been acquired outside the schools, in the
great university of active life, and is of the most practical character.
Politically, he was reared in the Democratic faith; but, when the union
of the states was assailed, the action of the Democratic party in regard
to the great questions of that day not being in accord with his views he
withdrew from it, and affiliated with the Republican party, just then
commencing its career. The ranks of this great party, that has for more
than twenty years dominated in this country, were greatly augmented and
strengthened by such acquisitions from the Democratic party; men who
arose in their might, declaring the patriotic sentiment of their old
leader and hero, Andrew Jackson,--"The Union must and shall be
preserved."
In regard to his public career, Mr. Richards was many times, when quite
a young man, elected to serve on the board of selectmen. In the years
1865, 1866, and 1870, he represented the town in the state legislature.
In 1871 and 1872 he was a member, from this district, of the executive
council, and about that time a delegate to the Republican national
convention at Philadelphia, that nominated General Grant for his second
term of the presidency. In 1876 he was a delegate to the convention for
revising the constitution of the state; and, so far as his official
course is concerned, from the beginning it has been distinguished by
eminent ability and the strictest integrity. The "spoils," so-called,
have never been his object in accepting offices of trust at the hands of
his constituents. He has found his reward more in the faithful and
conscientious performance of his duty.
In regard to the business career of Mr. Richards, we may say it has been
characterized by great industry and enterprise, on a basis of good
judgment, and in a spirit of fair dealing throughout. We have already
alluded to his early inclination to buy and sell and get gain in a small
way, as a boy, and in this respect the child foreshadowed the man.
During the years of his minority he was the faithful and efficient
coadjutor of his father in all his plans and purposes, and particularly
so when Capt. Seth Richards succeeded to the mercantile business at the
old Cheney stand, about the year 1835. In the management of this
business the son was a most important factor, and on coming of age
became a partner with his father. The business was well managed and
profitable, and with it came prosperity to the Richards family, and to
Dexter Richards the foundation and assurance of future successes in
life. About the year 1853, Richards & Son came to be interested in a
flannel-mill in Newport, that, possibly, had not heretofore been very
successfully managed. The history of this concern may be briefly stated
as follows:--
The Sugar River mills were built in 1847, by Perley S. Coffin and John
Puffer. About the year 1853, Richards & Son (Dexter) succeeded by
purchase to the original interest of John Puffer, then owned by D. J.
Goodridge. On the retirement of the senior Richards, in 1867, changes
were made by which the entire establishment came into possession of
Dexter Richards, Mr. Coffin retiring from the concern with a handsome
fortune.
In the prosecution of the business up to this time, the parties
interested had been singularly favored by circumstances that brought
disaster to many other firms and business men throughout our northern
towns and cities. We have reference to the great civil war that about
this time (1861-65) so much disturbed the commerce of the country. Of
the gray twilled flannels produced by the Sugar River mills, a large
stock had accumulated at this time. The goods were well adapted to the
wants of laborers, and particularly the soldiers in the Union army. The
war created a demand; prices appreciated; the machinery was kept running
night and day; the flannels found ready sale as fast as they could be
produced; and the success of the Sugar River mills was henceforth
assured. In the mean time, the establishment had been greatly enlarged
and improved, and was turning out about eight hundred thousand yards of
flannel yearly.
In 1872, Seth Mason Richards, the eldest son of Dexter Richards, a young
man just entered upon his majority, was admitted to a partnership with
his father. Enlargements and improvements have continued from time to
time, and the condition of the establishment at this date (1882) may be
stated as follows: Dexter Richards & Son, proprietors; capital stock,
$150,000. S. M. Richards, superintendent; Arthur R. Chase, secretary. It
gives steady employment to eighty-five operatives; runs eight sets of
cards, forty-four narrow looms, fifteen spinning-machines; works up two
hundred and eighty thousand pounds of cotton and wool, and turns out
annually nearly one million yards of gray twilled flannel. The
trade-mark (D. R. P.) of these goods is well known, among dealers and
others, throughout the country, and the products of the factory find
market and ready sale through commission merchants in Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, and Chicago.
Up to the year 1871, the manufacturing and agricultural interests of
Newport and the towns adjoining had achieved all the prosperity it was
possible for them to attain without railroad facilities to enable them
to compete successfully with other places in the enjoyment of such
facilities. As early as 1848, the Concord & Claremont Railroad Company
had been incorporated, and in 1850 the road had been put in operation to
Bradford. From Bradford to Claremont the rugged nature of the route was
appalling to engineers and contractors, and particularly so to
capitalists who were expected to construct the road. The enterprise here
came to a stand. Further efforts, legislative and otherwise, to continue
the work, were made without success, and for twenty-one years the
heavy-laden stages and teams continued to toil on over the weary hills,
to and fro, waiting for some able and friendly hand to establish a new
order of things, and deliver them. In the meantime, the war of the
rebellion, that had absorbed the thought and labor and capital of the
country, had come and gone, and "enterprises of great pith and moment,"
that had long slumbered, were again revived,--day dawned again upon the
Sugar River Railroad.
In the year 1866, mainly through the influence of Dexter Richards, then
a member of the legislature, and his enterprise as a citizen, the Sugar
River Railroad Company, now known as the Concord & Claremont Railroad
Company, was chartered. The means to revive and continue the building of
the road through to Claremont were furnished by the Northern Railroad
Company, aided by large assessments on the towns on the route of the
road. The town of Newport, by official act, became responsible for
forty-five thousand dollars, or about five per cent on its valuation. In
addition to this amount, the further sum of twenty thousand dollars was
required to assure the continuance and completion of the work. Of this
amount, Mr. Richards became liable for eleven thousand dollars, and
other parties interested made up the remaining nine thousand dollars.
The assurance of sixty-five thousand dollars from the town of Newport
secured the construction of the road through to Claremont beyond a
doubt. The road was soon afterward completed, and the first regular
train from Bradford to Claremont passed through Newport, September 16,
1872.
It was also through the instrumentality of Mr. Richards, that in July,
1866, the wires of the Western Union Telegraph Company were extended and
in operation to this town. Of the one thousand dollars subscribed by
citizens of Newport to secure this great facility of communication,
three-fourths of the amount were paid by him.
Mr. Richards has identified himself with the friends of education, and
Dartmouth College particularly, by the endowment of a scholarship in
that venerable and favorite institution of learning. He has also
contributed liberally to the support of Kimball Union Academy, at
Meriden, of which he is one of the trustees. He is also one of the
founders and benefactors of the Orphans' Home, at Franklin, and a
trustee of the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, at Concord,
benevolent institutions that are an honor to our state.
The Congregational church and society, of Newport, of which Mr. Richards
has been for many years a member, are greatly indebted to him for their
present substantial prosperity. He has identified himself not only with
the ample support of the ministry of this time-honored church, its
mission work, its charities, local and remote; its Sunday-school,--of
which, up to 1878, when he retired from the position, he had been for
more than twenty years the superintendent,--but with the improvements
and additions to its buildings and grounds, and the erection of its
parsonage. At an expense of some two thousand five hundred dollars, he
has placed a large and fine-toned organ in the choir, as a memorial of a
beloved daughter (Elizabeth) who died in the year 1868, in the
twenty-first year of her age.
To complete the list of interests that wait on Mr. Richards for his
attention, we find his name as one of the directors of the Eastern
Railroad in New Hampshire; and, also, one of the directors of the N. H.
Fire Insurance Company, at Manchester. He is the president of the First
National Bank of Newport. He was also one of the founders and the first
president of the Newport Savings Bank, chartered July 1, 1868, and now
in successful operation.
He married, January 27, 1847, Louisa Frances, daughter of the late Dr.
Mason Hatch, a long time highly esteemed physician and citizen of
Newport. Of the six children born to them in the years from 1847 to
1867, three only survive: Seth Mason, born June 6, 1850, now a partner
with his father in the Sugar River mills establishment, in which he has
exhibited superior business qualities, and bids fair to become a useful
and influential citizen of the town and state. Josephine Ellen, born
October 30, 1855, a graduate of the Female Seminary, at Andover, Mass.,
and the founder of a scholarship in honor of her _alma mater_. During
the years 1880 and 1881, Miss Richards, with a party of friends, sought
entertainment and culture from an extended tour in Europe, visiting
Egypt and Palestine in the course of their trip. William Francis, born
January 28, 1867, is now (1882) a student connected with Phillips
Academy, Andover, Mass.
The Richards family have a delightful cottage at Straw's Point, Rye
Beach, where an unaffected hospitality, as well as the breath of the
sea, await their friends during the summer months.
There are several instances in the history of Newport of men who, having
acquired wealth in their dealings with its citizens, have removed to
more important places to enjoy the spending and investing of their
incomes, without leaving behind them any visible improvement in the way
of buildings, or a public good of any kind,--nothing but a memory of
their insatiate avarice, followed by unsparing criticisms. Such a record
can never be made of Dexter Richards. With increasing ability in the way
of means, he has manifested a corresponding disposition to improve the
physical aspect of his native town. He has placed on the street not only
his elegant private residence, but houses for rent, and substantial and
sightly blocks of buildings for business purposes. He has improved his
factory buildings and grounds, built barns, cultivated lands, produced
crops, interested himself in improved breeds of cattle and horses, thus
giving employment to many working men and hands, and increased the
productive industry of the town and its general valuation in many
respects, aside from his manufacturing interest, as indicated by the
assessment for taxation. He is by far the largest tax-payer in Newport,
and one of the largest in Sullivan county and the state of New
Hampshire.
He has managed his private affairs and the public business, as far as it
has been intrusted to his care, with superior ability; and now in his
mature prime of life, should the state require his further service, his
past record and present position would afford an abundant guarantee for
the able fulfillment of any future or more important trust.
HON. DAVID HANSON BUFFUM.
DAVID HANSON BUFFUM was born in the town of North Berwick, county of
York, and state of Maine, on the tenth day of November, 1820. He was the
oldest child and only son of Timothy and Anna (Austin) Buffum. His
mother was a native of Dover,--a daughter of Nathaniel Austin. His
father--who manufactured furniture and carriages to a limited
extent--died when the subject of this notice was but six years of age,
leaving also two sisters still younger. Subsequently his mother was
united in marriage with William Hussey, and at her death, fifteen years
afterward, two children were left as the result of this marriage. Still
later Mr. Hussey was united in marriage with Mary J. Hanson, and, at his
death, in 1870, two children remained as the result of this union. This
presented the rather singular and unusual occurrence, that three
children by one marriage and two children by another were _half-brothers
and half-sisters_ to two children by a third union, and yet were _in no
way related to each other_.