Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men Part 21

When Baldwin & Co.'s steam mill on Manchester street, where D. B.

Varney's bra.s.s 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 s.e.x 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 pa.s.sing 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, partic.i.p.ated 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 ma.s.sive 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, ill.u.s.trating 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, Devons.h.i.+re.

--------+-----+--------- PETER, JOSEPH, HENRY, ----, EDWARD, SAMUEL, JONATHAN.

----------------------------+------------------ JONATHAN, HENRY, JAMES, JOHN, ELISHA, EDWARD, ELISHAB.

------------------------+----+--------------------------------- OBADIAH, JOHN, THOMAS, JEREMIAH, ELEAZER, ABRAHAM, DANIEL, PHINEHAS, EDWARD.

----------+-----+--------- BENJAMIN, JOHN, ELEAZER, SETH.

--------------------+------+---------------------------- JOHN, JUDE, JOEL, PHINEHAS, JAMES, ELIAS, HEZEKIAH, ELEAZER.

--------------+-----+------------------ ASAHEL, BARZILLAI, PHINEHAS, WILLIAM, LOWELL.

----------------+-+---------- ASAHEL, ASAHEL, PHINEHAS, ASAHEL.

---+---+ 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, Ma.s.s., in 1635. The descendants of William were among the earliest settlers of northern New Hamps.h.i.+re.

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 pa.s.sed under a tender mother's care; and to her strict religious training he was indebted for the n.o.ble 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 n.o.ble 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 s.h.i.+lling 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 Hamps.h.i.+re 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 Hamps.h.i.+re 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 inst.i.tution, 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 s.h.i.+pping. He was a director in the Manchester & Lawrence, the Franconia & Profile House, and the Mount Was.h.i.+ngton 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 a.s.sistance 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, Ma.s.s., 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 ill.u.s.trious guests who have honored Concord by their visits.

Nathaniel White died Sat.u.r.day, 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:--

"I remember Mr. White even before you became acquainted with him. I can see him now, as in the early morn, in the dim light before the dawn of day, he drove up over the frozen hills of Boscawen, through the drifting snows, buffeting the bleak winds, and standing erect upon the footboard of his sleigh, with his six frost-covered steeds well in hand. I remember him as in the late afternoon or early evening he went das.h.i.+ng down those fearfully steep hills, called "Choate and Gerrish hills," with his Concord "coach and six," loaded down with sixteen and eighteen pa.s.sengers, and no break to resist the fearful pressure upon a single pair of wheel-horses. He then had the same quiet, reserved manners that marked the man all through his long, busy, and useful life. There was no noise, no brag, no bl.u.s.ter, no profanity, no tobacco, no rum! He was mild in speech, pleasant in address, gentle in conduct, quiet in action, diligent in business, constant in season and out, and faithful to all his trusts; and every thing he did came fully up to the measure of his responsibility.

'His life was gentle; and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, "This was a man."'

"The wealth he possessed, and which he distributed with such a generous hand, came from no ancestral estates. He made his wealth, and he made himself, and he was emphatically 'the architect of his own fortune.' He honored his father and his mother, and his days were lengthened in the land; and if he had lived till the 17th day of February, 1881, he would have filled up the number of days which the Psalmist has a.s.signed to manly life. His example in youth, in manhood, and in mature age is a valuable legacy to the young man who shall try to imitate it.

"To his wife and children he has left a memory as fragrant as devotion, tenderness, and love could make; and in the hearts of his other kindred he has planted a grateful remembrance, which will find a habitation there as long as their lives shall last.

The beauty, gentleness and sweetness of his domestic life were only appreciated by those who saw him at home, in the bosom of his family, and partook of his genial hospitality.

'Wife, children, and neighbor may mourn at his knell; He was lover and friend of his country as well.'

"It will not be out of place to insert here the language of a learned and gifted gentleman who knew Mr. White, having formed an acquaintance with him before the days of railroads, while he was driving on his route between Concord and Hanover. I refer to Prof. Edwin D. Sanborn, of Dartmouth College, who used frequently to ride on the outside of the coach with Mr. White.

The following sketch was published in the Lebanon _Free Press_ in 1859, and was part of an article ent.i.tled, 'Good Habits the Best Capital of the Young':--