Keene New Hampshire

Biographical Sketch of Samuel O. Gates

Samuel O. Gates, son of Joel, was born at Hancock, August 5, 1827 and came to Keene in 1851, where he was engaged in mercantile business and in the manufacture of boots and shoes for fifteen years. He has been selectman, city marshall four years, deputy sheriff fifteen years, and still holds the latter position. He was chief of police in 1881, and represented Keene in the legislature in 1864-65. He married Sarah A. Randall, of Keene, June 29, 1854. She died September 14, 1877.

Biographical Sketch of John Holbrook

John Holbrook, son of John, was born in Uxbridge, Mass., August, 17, 1788. He married Mercy Hill, came to Swanzey in 1802, and located in the southern part of the town on the farm now owned by Israel Gun. He was a carpenter and wheelwright, and died in 1838. Five of his ten children are living, two of them, Sophia, widow of Carlistine Blake, and Daniel H., residing in Keene. The latter was born at Swanzey January 8, 1806. He received a common school education, and was engaged as a farmer and manufacturer of and dealer in lumber until his … Read more

Biography of Jacob Hart

Jacob Hart, son of Daniel, was born at Reading, Mass., January 19, 1776. During his early childhood, his father bought a farm at Groton, Mass., where he moved with his family. Jacob was one of ten brothers who subsequently became enterprising men, and settled in nearly as many different states. He married Rachel, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ferrett) Haynes, who was born at Natick, Mass., February 2, 1786. They were married August 7, 1808. He soon after went to Lunenburg, Mass., where he remained untie 1821, when he bought a large farm in the western part of Keene, to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Josiah Holbrook

John Josiah Holbrook, son of Daniel Hill and Caroline Lawrence (Prime) Holbrook, was born at Swanzey, December 10, 1844, and died at Keene on the afternoon of Monday, March 24, 1844. He was educated at Mt. Caesar seminary of Swanzey, at the Leland and Gray seminary, of Townshend, Vt., the Keene high school, and then began his preparatory course at New London Literary and Scientific Institution, whence he was graduated in 1865. In 1872 he was graduated from a full course at Brown university, and entered upon a three years course at Newton, (Mass.), theological institute, graduating in 1875. The … Read more

Biography of John Humphrey

John Humphrey, the founder and present general manager of the Humphrey Machine Company, was born October 12, 18$4, at Lyndon, Vt., from whence, at the age of nine years, his childhood home was changed to Rindge, N. H., and, with the exception of two years, he has since been a resident of Cheshire county. Not being exempt from enrollment in the great army of toilers for daily bread, he was early mustered into service in the conflict of life, and after some experience in the grist-mill and upon the farm of his step-father, he started out at the age of … Read more

Samuel Woods Genealogy

I. Samuel1 Woods of Cambridge, Mass., b. abt. 1636; went to Groton, Mass., in 1662; d. in Groton, Mar. 19, 1712; m. in Cambridge, Mass., Sept. 28, 1659, Alice Rushton, b. abt. 1636. Seven ch.: the first b. in Cambridge, the others in Groton, Mass. II. Samuel2 Woods, son of Samuel1, I, b. Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 3, 1661; m. in Chelmsford, Mass., Dec. 30, 1685, Hannah Farwell, b. Chelmsford, Mass., Jan. 20, 1667-8; dau. of Joseph and Hannah (Learned) Farwell. She m. (2), Capt. Peter Joslin of Lancaster, Mass. Peter’s first wife was slain by the Indians who attacked her … Read more

General History of Keene, New Hampshire

Even at this early date, however, a spirited controversy was in progress between the provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, relative to the position of the boundary line between them (see page 64). The final settlement of this mooted question by King George II., in 1740, left the new township far within the limits of New Hampshire. On the third of October the proprietor held a meeting, to consider this grave subject of, which the following records of proceedings is left: “The proprietors being informed that, by the determination of his majesty in council respecting the controverted bounds between the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ira J. Prouty, M. D.

Ira J. Prouty, M. D., only son of Dr. Ira F. Prouty, was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., August 15, 1857. He was educated in the public schools of Keene, graduating from the High school in 1875. He continued his studies in Keene until 1878, when he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he pursued a special course in analytical chemistry. In 1879 he entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, where he remained three years, graduating in March, 1882, in which year he commenced the practice of medicine in Keene. In 1883 … Read more

History of Manufactures of Keene, New Hampshire

Cheshire county, with perhaps a few towns in the northerly portion of Worcester county, Mass., adjacent thereto, may be regarded as the birthplace of wooden-ware manufacturing, and until 1860 it was noted as the principal center of that class of manufacture, and it is yet quite a prominent industry of the vicinity, though the business, as it has extended, has gone largely to other places where timber is more plentiful. It is said that the first wooden-pails made by machinery were manufactured at Keene, by Jehiel Wilson, who now resides at South Keene. The manufacture of clothes-pins by machinery is … Read more

Military History of Keene, New Hampshire

During the period of the Revolution, Keene performed her part faithfully. In 1773 the foot company of Keene numbered 126, under command of Col.. Josiah Willard. The alarm list, numbering forty-five, seems to have been made up of the older men, including many of the original settlers; the selectmen of Keene, David Nims. Eliphalet Briggs, Jr., and Benjamin Hall, reported the following census for Keene : Unmarried men, from sixteen to sixty 65. Married men, from sixteen to sixty 96 Boys, sixteen years and under : 140• Men, sixty years and upwards : 1, Females, unmarried 217 Females, married 105. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Pittsinger

Edward Pittsinger was born in West Hampton, Mass., November 29, 1821. In 1846 he went as brakeman on the Connecticut River railroad, where he continued one year, then became conductor from Springfield to Holyoke. In 1851, when the Ashuelot railroad was opened, he became conductor on that road, in which position he has since continued.

Biographical Sketch of William S. Briggs

William S. Briggs is the great-grandson of Eliphalet Briggs, also of Jeremiah Stiles, both early and prominent settlers of Keene. He is grandson of Eliphalet Briggs, and son of Eliphalet Briggs. He was born September 17, 1817, and for many years was engaged in the cabinet and furniture business He represented Keene in the legislature in 7862 and 1863, and has since been a member of the house of representatives. He has been a trustee of Keene academy and Cheshire provident institution twenty-five years, and is a director of the Cheshire National bank. From his long residence, observing turn of … Read more

History of the Water Works of Keene, New Hampshire

The matter of supplying Keene with an adequate water supply was agitated at an early date. In 1861 a charter was granted for the purpose, the estimated cost of the proposed works being $40,000.00. Much opposition was met with, however, on the part of some tax payers, which, combined with the troubles of the war, put the matter off. In 1866 the subject again came up, though it was not until August, 1868, that the vote was finally carried. A committee was appointed to act immediately, consisting of Samuel A. Gerould, Edward Joslyn, Thomas H. Leverett, Daniel H. Holbrook and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. F. Rowell

C. F. Rowell, born in Goshen, N. H., came to Keene in 1851, and worked as a carriage painter, in the employ of French Bros., twenty-one years. He traversed the entire state of New Hampshire as correspondent for the New Hampshire Patriot, at which occupation he spent three years. He was station agent for Connecticut River & Ashuelot R. R., from June 1877, until June 1884, and since then has been agent for the recovery of lost freight on the Cheshire R. R. He was sergeant-at-arms of the New Hampshire house, under J. A. Weston, and has been twice Democratic … Read more

Fair Grounds And Trotting Park of Keene, NH

The Cheshire County Agricultural Society has grounds here, twenty-six acres in extent, with all the buildings and accessories necessary to a firstclass exhibition, which annually is made. In laying out the grounds the forest trees were permitted to stand along the avenues where the cattle pens are located, so that visitors may view the specimens and be well protected from sun or rain. The grounds are about a mile and a half distant from the cityhall. The Agricultural Society was organized January 16, 1850, when Salma Hale, of Keene, was chosen president; A. B. Hodskins, of Walpole, Edmund Jones, of … Read more

Biography of Godfrey Nims

Godfrey Nims was the first one of the Nims family known in this country, the earliest record extant giving his marriage, in Northampton, Mass., November 28, 1677. His son Ebenezer removed to Deerfield, Mass., a short time previous to 1702, and at the destruction of that town, February 29th, 1703-04, he and Sarah Hoit were among the captives taken and carried to Canada, where they were kept prisoners for about ten years. The Indian chief desired Sarah Holt to marry him, but she declined, promising to marry any one of the captives, and subsequently became the wife of Ebenezer Nims. … Read more

Amos Wood Genealogy

1. Amos2 Wood, son of Joshua1 and Esther (Esty) Wood, was b. in Keene, June 16, 1794; d. Wilton, June 12, 1873; was a farmer and lived in Keene, Walpole and Wilton. He was a Deacon in the Congregational church of Walpole. He m. (1), Sept. 23, 1817, Fanny Seward, b. Sullivan, Nov. 13, 1794, d. Walpole, Sept. 19, 1848; dau. of Dea. Josiah and Sarah (Osgood) Seward of S. He m. (2), Mar 20, 1850. Pamelia Wightman, b. Walpole (?), 1795, d. there, Nov. 16, 1854; dau. of Israel and Frances (Allen) Wightman; m. (3), Apr. 16, 1858, Mrs. … Read more

Biography of Hon. James Wilson Sr.

Hon. James Wilson, Sr., the oldest son of Robert, was born in Peter borough, August 16, 1766. His opportunities for an education were very limited in his native town. He remembered the alarm given at his fathers house April 19, 1775, and the great stir among the farmers as they were getting their weapons ready to march to the scene of action. He remained at home, working with his parents, until the close of the Revolution. His mother -as a lady who appreciated the importance of a good education, and she finally prevailed upon he somewhat reluctant husband to allow … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. S. M. Dinsmore

Dr. S. M. Dinsmore was born in Antrim, N. H., June 22, 1836, graduated as an M. D. March, 1860, from Columbian university, of Washington, D. C., practiced medicine in Sullivan and Hillsboro counties for twenty years, and located in Keene in 1881, where he now resides.

History of Free Masonry in Keene, New Hampshire

Keene, as is known to many through the sketches of Mr. Frank Whitcomb, has a very interesting Masonic history. A year had not elapsed after Free Masonry had been welcomed to New England before New Hampshire was blessed with its light. During the early days of Free Masonry in this country there were two Grand Lodges in Massachusetts, organized in Boston: St. Johns Grand Lodge, deriving its authority from the Grand Master of England, which held its first meeting July 30, 1733, and Massachusetts Grand Lodge, deriving its authority from the Grand Master of Scotland, which was organized December 27, … Read more