By Muriel Bristol | October 11, 2020
A Roll of Honor – the honor being diligent attendance – published for the Milton Grammar school in March 1909, identified its teachers for the 1908-09 academic year as being Laura H. Williams, Grades 1-2; Grace Harwood, Grades 3-4; Bessie A. Gushee, Grades 5-6; and Robert M. Looney, Grades 7-8 and Principal (Farmington News, March 26, 1909).
The original Milton Grammar School burned to the ground on Saturday morning, April 4, 1914. (It was replaced in its same location by a new brick building (see above), which was also called the Milton Grammar school, but which is currently known as the Milton Elementary School).
Plans were set in motion to reconstruct the Milton Grammar School within a month of its destruction.
West Milton. The west side of the town was well represented at the special town meeting held at the town house last Saturday afternoon for the purpose of voting an appropriation for the erection of a new school building to replace the one recently destroyed by fire. It was voted to hire the sum of $20,000 and also to apply the $8,000 insurance received on the loss of the old building to erect an imposing new brick structure on the site of the former grammar school building (Farmington News, May 1, 1914).
Meanwhile, the displaced Milton Grammar School students set up in the Exhibition Hall of the Nute High School.
West Milton. Miss Lula V. Grace, who, by the courtesy of Mr. Looney, principal of the Milton village grammar school, acting in conjunction with the school board and superintendent, participated in the exercises and received her diploma with Mr. Looney’s class at Milton last Friday evening, is the first pupil to receive this distinction since the school has become graded. A delegation of the scholars, accompanied by their teacher and many friends from this part of town, witnessed the exercises, which have gained a well-deserved prominence under Mr. Looney’s efficient instruction. The exhibition hall at the Nute high school building, where the grammar school has been in session since the burning of the schoolhouse, was occupied to the last available inch. The execution of some of the most difficult subjects of original composition and essay by members of the graduating class was truly wonderful for pupils of this grade, while choral and orchestral numbers from the leading operas were very cleverly rendered and were accorded unanimous acclamation of favor. Miss Hazel Perkins of this district was a member of the graduating class at Milton, having attended that school the past year (Farmington News, June 26, 1914).
The Milton directory of 1917 identified Milton Grammar school teachers Laura H. Williams, Grades I and II; Grace E. Harwood, Grades III and IV; Bessie E. Gushee, Grades V and VI; and Robert M. Looney, Grades VII and VIII. While not identified as such, Robert M. Looney was the “principal” teacher. (These were the same teachers, teaching the same grades, as those in the pre-fire Milton directory of 1909).
More consistent personnel information becomes available in the annual Milton Town Reports of the 1920s and thereafter.
Robert M. Looney – Grades 7-8, Principal – 1902-14
Robert Miller Looney was born in Milton, June 10, 1880, son of Charles H. and Emily E. (Miller) Looney.
(A fuller account of his life and career may be found in Milton Grammar School Principals – 1893-14).
Robert M. Looney died in Newtonville, Newton, MA, July 22, 1932, aged fifty-two years, one month, and twelve days.
Laura H. Williams – Grades 1-2 – c1908-31
Laura H. Williams was born in Bowdoinham, ME, circa September 1869, daughter of Hiram and Eliza (Toothaker) Williams. Her mother died when she was but three years of age, and her father when she was thirteen years of age.
John H. Stuart, a sea captain, aged sixty-eight years (b. ME), headed a Richmond, ME, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary J. Stuart, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME), and his niece, Laura Williams, a school teacher, aged thirty years (b. ME). John H. Stuart owned their house, free-and-clear.
The officers of the Lewis W. Nute Grange in 1907 were Mrs. Annie O. Willey, Master; Mrs. Cora A. Hodgdon, Lecturer; and Miss Laura H. Williams, Secretary (Annual Reports of the State of New Hampshire, 1908).
The officers of the Lewis W. Nute Grange in 1910 were Mrs. Annie O. Willey, Master; Mrs. Cora A. Hodgdon, Lecturer; and Miss Laura H. Williams, Secretary (Annual Reports of the State of New Hampshire, 1911).
Ralph M. Kimball, a hen farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-seven years), Carrie E. Kimball, aged forty-three years (b. NH), his son, Walter Kimball, aged eleven years (b. NH), and his lodgers, Grace E. Harwood, a town school teacher, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA), Bessie A. Gushie, a town school teacher, aged twenty-four years (b. MA), and Laura H. Williams, a town school teacher, aged forty-one years (b. ME). Ralph M. Kimball owned the farm free-and-clear. Carrie E. Kimball was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
Laura H. Williams appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as teacher of grades 1-2, at the M. Grammar school, boarding at 6 Kimball street.
Charles L. Burke, a barber, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Lillian M. Burke, aged thirty-one years (b. ME), and his roomer, Laura H. Williams, a grammar school teacher, aged fifty years (b. ME). Charles L. Burke rented their house on Upper Main Street, in Milton Village.
Laura H. Williams appeared in the Milton directory of 1930, as a teacher, with her house on Main street.
Ellsworth Hodgdon, a shoe factory operator, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of forty-five years), Cora Hodgdon, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), his servant, Sarah Roberts, a boarding house housewife, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), and his boarders, Laura Williams, a grammar school teacher, aged sixty years (b. ME), and Harold Carpenter, a fibre mill bookkeeper, aged twenty-two years (b. NH). Ellsworth Hodgdon rented their house on South Main Street, for $16 per month. They had a radio set.
Laura H. Williams retired after either the 1930-31 (or 1931-32) academic year. According to her entry in the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census, she returned for a time to her original home in Richmond, ME, where she was residing in April 1935. However, she was living in Laconia, NH, by 1940.
Amy W. Churchill, a widow, aged seventy-one years (b. MA), headed a Laconia, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her lodger, Laura H. Williams, aged seventy years (b. ME). Amy W. Churchill rented their house at 124A Church Street, for $30 per month. Amy W. Churchill had resided in Nashua, NH, in April 1935, and Laura H. Williams had resided in Richmond, ME, in 1935.
Laura H. Williams appeared in the Laconia directory of 1941, as residing at 124A Church street. (Amy Churchill, wid. Edgar, had her house at 124A Church street).
Laura H. Williams died in 1950.
Grace E. Harwood – Grades 3-4 – c1908-18
Grace Emma Harwood was born in Dorchester, Boston, MA, March 1, 1883, daughter of Walter H. and Joanna M. “Anna” (Bresnahan) Harwood. She was baptized in Dorchester, April 3, 1883.
Anna Harwood, a widow, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Scituate, MA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Here household included her daughters, Dora Harwood, aged twenty-three years (b. MA), Elisabeth Harwood, aged nineteen years (b. MA), and Grace Harwood, at school, aged seventeen years (b. MA). Anna Harwood owned their house, free-and-clear. She was the mother of four children, of whom four were still living.
Grace E. Harwood, a town school teacher, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA), lodged in the Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household of Ralph M. Kimball, a hen farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. Bessie A. Gushie, a town school teacher, aged twenty-four years (b. MA), and Laura H. Williams, a town school teacher, aged forty-one years (b. ME), lodged there too (see Laura H. Williams above).
Grace E. Harwood appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as teacher of grades 3-4, at the M. Grammar school, boarding at 6 Kimball street.
Grace E. Harwood married in East Rochester, NH, May 21, 1918, William A. Dickson, both of Milton. She was a teacher, aged thirty-five years (b. Boston, MA), and he was superintendent of a leather-board mill, aged forty-three years (b. Lunenburg, MA). He was born in Lunenburg, MA, September 6, 1874, son of William F. and Matilda (Lancy) Dickson.
William A. Dickson, a leather-board superintendent, aged forty-five years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Grace E. Dickson, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), his daughters, Marion I. Dickson, a grammar school teacher, aged twenty-four years (b. MA), Hazel M. Dickson, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and Carlyne P. Dickson, aged eleven years (b. NH), and his servant, Elizabeth H. Mansfield, a private family servant, aged fifty-four (b. ME). William A. Dickson rented their house on the Wakefield Road.
William A. Dickson, a fibre mill superintendent, aged fifty-five years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twelve years), Grace Dickson, aged forty-three years (b. MA), and his servant, Mabel Hayes, a private family housewife, aged thirty-two years (b. ME). William A. Dickson rented their house on the Wakefield Road, for $25 per month. They had a radio set.
Elizabeth A. “Bessie” Gushee – Grades 5-6 – 1906-17
Elizabeth Adella “Bessie” Gushee was born in Salisbury, MA, October 10, 1885, daughter of George W. and Mary E. (Hardenbrook) Gushee.
Miss Bessie A. Gushee appears to have replaced Miss E. Maud Garland, who resigned as the teacher of Milton Grammar school Grades 5-6 in March 1906.
LOCAL. Miss E. Maude Garland has resigned her position in the fifth and sixth grades of the Milton grammar school, where she has been a very successful teacher for nearly three years (Farmington News, March 2, 1906).
Bessie A. Gushee appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as teacher of grades 5-6, at the M. Grammar school, boarding at 6 Kimball street.
UNION. Schools in the village began Monday with the same teachers as last year, Miss Carpenter of Mountain View [Ossipee] in the [primary and Miss Gushee of Maine in the grammar (Farmington News, April 1, 1910).
Bessie A. Gushie, a town school teacher, aged twenty-four years (b. MA), lodged in the Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household of Ralph M. Kimball, a hen farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. Laura H. Williams, a town school teacher, aged forty-one years (b. ME), and Grace E. Harwood, a town school teacher, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA), lodged there too (see Laura H. Williams above).
Bessie A. Gushee appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as teacher of grades 5-6, at the M. Grammar school, boarding at 6 Kimball street.
Frank Waterman, aged sixty-seven years (b. RI), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Abbie J. Waterman, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), his sister-in-law, Amandy Clark, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), and his lodgers, Charles W. Philbrick, a department store clerk, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), Nina E. Browne, aged fifty-nine years (b. MA), Bessie A. Gushee, an insurance company clerk, aged thirty-four years (b. MA), Ermina A. Gushee, an insurance company clerk, aged thirty-one years (b. MA), Alice M. Teele, a chemist assistant, aged thirty-nine years (b. MA), Israel Blaisdell, a department store clerk, aged thirty-seven years (b. MA), Glen R. Blaisdell, aged twenty-three years (b. MA, Etta Yerdon, a packer, aged fifty-six years (b. NY) and Charles S. Brown, a publishing company clerk, aged fifty-six years (b. MA). Frank Waterman rented their house at 44 Pinckney Street.
Her sister, Ermina Adelaide Gushee, died November 26, 1920.
Elizabeth A. Gushee married in the Greenwich Presbyterian Church, in New York, NY, June 27, 1925, Walter E. Looney, she of 61 Hancock Street, Boston, MA, and he of Milton, NH. He was a government official, aged forty-seven years, and she was aged thirty-nine years.
While not contained in the June 1925 church record of their marriage, Walter Eugene Looney was born in Milton, May 14, 1878, son of Charles H. and Emily E. (Miller) Looney. (Milton Grammar school principal Robert M. Looney was his brother). Their time together was brief, as he died in Portsmouth, NH, October 1, 1928, aged fifty years, four months, and seventeen days.
IN MEMORIAM. Walter E. Looney. Many local friends and acquaintances were shocked to learn of the sudden death of Walter E. Looney, deputy collector of customs, at Portsmouth, which occurred in his room on October first. Apparently, Mr. Looney was preparing for work when he was stricken with a heart attack, from which affliction he had been a sufferer for some time. He was at his post and in his usual health on the Saturday previous. He was fifty years old, a native of Milton, and a son of the late Charles E. and Emma (Miller) Looney. In the early nineteen hundreds he became deputy collector of customs, with offices at the Custom House in Portsmouth, succeeding his father, who was collector of customs, but at the time his son took the position the office had been reduced to a deputy-ship by reason of a decline in shipping from Portsmouth. He was a Blue Lodge and Chapter Mason, a Knight Templar, a member of Rektash Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Concord, and was affiliated with the Piscataqua Pioneers, a historical organization, and the Warwick club of Portsmouth (Farmington News, October 5, 1928).
Elizabeth Looney, a manufacturer’s clerk, aged forty-four years (b. MA), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her boarder, Susan D. Moorers, a banking clerk, aged thirty-five years (b. ME). Elizabeth Looney rented their apartment at 44 South Russell Street, for $55 per month. They did not have a radio set.
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS. Papers have gone to record at the Suffolk Registry of Deeds, whereby the Wallace L. Conant estate conveys to John A. McNamara, and the latter to Elizabeth G. Looney, 51 Garden st., West End. The property is taxed for $6500, with $2500 on the 675 sq. ft. of land. There is a 3½-story brick building (Boston Globe, November 23, 1932).
Eliz. G. Looney, wid. of Walter E., appeared in the Boston directories of 1938, 1941, and 1943, as a clerk, with her house at 51 Garden street.
Elizabeth Looney, a general clerical worker (for a wholesale and retail wood preservative company), aged fifty-four years (b. MA), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her lodger, Ethel M. Matthews, a traveling saleslady (for a retail men’s’ and women’s stocking firm), aged sixty-five years (b. MA). Elizabeth Looney owned their house at 51 Garden street, which was valued at $2,100. Both women were high school graduates.
Elizabeth A. (Gushee) Looney died in Salisbury, MA, in 1985.
Grace C. Fletcher – Grades ?-? – 1917-18
Grace Constance Fletcher was born in Cape Neddick, ME, April 19, 1896, daughter of Rev. William and Winnifred E. (Roundy) Fletcher.
In the 1916-17 academic year, Grace Constance Fletcher, of Waterville, ME, was a senior class student at Colby College. She resided at 167 College Ave., with students [brother] Herbert Henry Fletcher, of Waterville, ME, a sophomore class student, and Pearl Estelle Mitchell, of Haynesville, ME, a special or unclassified student (Colby College, 1917).
Grace Constance Fletcher received an A.B. degree from Colby College, with its class of 1917. She was a teacher in Milton, during the 1917-18 academic year. She was principal of the high school at Jefferson, NH, during the 1918-19 academic year (Colby College, 1920).
Grace Constance Fletcher married in Waterville, ME, January 4, 1919, James Herbert Willey, she of Waterville and he of Milton. She was a teacher, aged twenty-two years, and he was a druggist, aged forty-three years. (See Milton in the News – 1913). Her father, Rev. William Fletcher, of Waterville, ME, performed the ceremony. James Herbert Willey was born in Rollinsford, NH, May 27, 1875, son of James P. and Frances P. (Davis) Willey.
James Herbert Willey, a druggist (0wner), aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Grace F. Willey, aged twenty-three years (b. ME). James Herbert Willey rented their house on Upper Main Street (at its intersection with Silver Street). The household of Joseph D. Willey, a retail merchant (groceries), aged sixty-six years (b. NH), appeared just after them in the enumeration, i.e., he was their neighbor.
James H. Willey, a druggist (drug store), aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Grace F. Willey, aged thirty-four years (b. ME), his children, Herbert F. Willey, aged nine years (b. NH), and Frances E. Willey, aged four years (b. NH), and his parents, James P. Willey, retired, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH), and Frances P. Willey, aged seventy-six years (b. ME). James H. Willey owned their house on North Main Street, which was valued at $2,500. The household of J.D. Willey, a retail merchant (general store), aged seventy-six years (b. NH), appeared just before them in the enumeration, i.e., he was their neighbor.
James H. Willey, a druggist (drug store), aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Grace F. Willey, aged forty-four years (b. ME), and his children, Herbert F. Willey, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and Frances Willey, aged fourteen years (b. NH). James H. Willey owned their house in the “Milton Community,” which was valued at $2,000. James H. and Grace F. Willey had each attended four years of college, Herbert F. Willey had attended one year of college, and Frances Willey had attended one year of high school.
James Herbert Willey died in Milton, April 27, 1946, aged seventy years.
IN MEMORIAM. James H. Willey. Several fraternal members attended the funeral services of James H. Willey, 70, well known drug store owner of Milton, held at the Community church in that town, Tuesday afternoon. He was a member of Columbian Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Fraternal Chapter, O.E.S., of Farmington. His wife, Mrs. Grace Willey, is worthy matron of the O.E.S. this town (Farmington News, May 3, 1946).
Grace C. (Fletcher) Willey died in Hickory, NC, February 13, 1986, aged eighty-nine years.
HICKORY. Mrs. Grace Fletcher Willey, 89, homemaker, died Feb. 13, 1986. Memorial service will be at a later date in New Hampshire. Survivors are her son, Herbert Willey, of Sherborn, Mass.; daughter, Mrs. Frances Rippere; sister, Mrs. Harriet Lockwood, of Port St. Lucia, Fla. Bass-Smith is in charge (Charlotte Observer, February 18, 1986).
Marion I. Dixon – Grades 4-5 – 1918-20
Marion Irene Dickson was born in Shirley, MA, August 1, 1895, daughter of William A. and Hattie M. (Newell) Dickson.
Marion I. Dickson taught at Milton’s Hare Road school during the 1917-18 academic year.
WEST MILTON. Miss Marion Dixon, teacher at the Hare Road school, gave her pupils a delightful Hallowe’en party, Wednesday afternoon (Farmington News, November 2, 1917).
WEST MILTON. William Dixon and family of Milton recently spent an evening with his daughter Miss Marion, at Garland farm (April 19, 1918).
WEST MILTON. Miss Marion Dickson of South Milton, who closed a very successful school year here in June, is to teach the 4th and 5th grades in the Milton Grammar school (Farmington News, August 23, 1918).
Here may be found the only indication that the Milton Grammar School at least closed for a time during the so-called Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918. Thus freed from her normal duties, Miss Dickson visited her former Hare Road school and the Nute Ridge school, which appear to have remained open.
WEST MILTON. Miss Marion Dickson of South Milton, who has been having an enforced vacation from her duties in the Milton grammar school, because of the prevailing epidemic, visited the Nute Ridge and Hare Road schools Friday (Farmington News, November 1, 1918).
William A. Dickson, a leather-board superintendent, aged forty-five years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Grace E. Dickson, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), his daughters, Marion I. Dickson, a grammar school teacher, aged twenty-four years (b. MA), Hazel M. Dickson, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and Carlyne P. Dickson, aged eleven years (b. NH), and his servant, Elizabeth H. Mansfield, a private family servant, aged fifty-four (b. ME). William A. Dickson rented their house on the Wakefield Road.
Harriet Jones, a widow, aged seventy-three years (b. ME), headed a Scituate, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her niece, M. Alice Lincoln, a widow, aged fifty-four years (b. ME), and her boarder, Marion I. Dickson, a public school teacher, aged thirty-four years (b. MA). Harriet Jones owned their house on First Parish Road, which was valued at $1.800. They did not have a radio set. (Part of this household were enumerated on different pages).
Marion I. Dickson married in Northfield, NH, May 2, 1941, James H. Sanderson, both of Boscawen, NH. She was a teacher, aged forty-five years, and he was a widowed leather worker, aged fifty-four years. He was born in Columbia, NH, circa 1887, son of Gilbert D. and Lillie (Prince) Sanderson.
Marion I. (Dickson) Sanderson died in Boscawen, NH, in 1969. James H. Sanderson died in Boscawen, NH, January 27, 1977.
Zilpha A. Capron – Grades 3-4 – c1926-27
Zilpha Capron was born in Belmont, MA, July 8, 1906, daughter of Seth A. “Alton” and Edna (Corson) Capron.
Seth A. Capron, a foundry assistant superintendent, aged thirty-three years (b. MA), headed a Westfield, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of four years), Edna C. Capron, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and his daughters, Zilpha Capron, aged three years (b. MA), and Alma Capron, aged one year (b. MA). Seth A. Capron rented their house at 25 Mill Street. Edna C. Capron was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
Seth A. Capron died in Westfield, MA, January 1, 1918. Edna (Corson) Capron brought her children to live at her parents farm in Rochester, NH.
James Corson, a farmer (own farm), aged seventy-four years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary E. Corson, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), his daughters, Edna R. Capron, a widow, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), and Bertha L. Corson, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), his [grand] daughters, Ziltha Capron, aged thirteen years (b. MA), and Alma Capron, aged eleven years (b. MA), and his sister-in-law, Delia Corson, a widow, aged seventy years (b. NH). James Corson owned their farm on Portland Street.
SANBORNVILLE. Visitors from this village were in attendance at the Hallowe’en party of the third and fourth grades at the grammar school building in Milton. The program showed great patience and originality on the part of the teacher, Miss Zilpha Capron (Farmington News, November 5, 1926).
Mary E. Corson, a widow, aged seventy-seven (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her daughter, Edna Capron, a widow, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), her granddaughters, Zilpha Capron, a public school teacher (b. MA), aged twenty-three years, and Alma Capron, aged twenty-two years (b. MA), and her daughter, Bertha L. Corson, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). Mary E. Corson owned their farm on Portland Street, which was valued at $5,000. They had a radio set.
Zilpha Capron married in East Rochester, NH, July 29, 1937, Ralph W. Braids, she of Rochester and he of Providence, RI. She was a teacher, aged thirty years, and he was a chiropractor, aged forty-seven years. He was born in Providence, RI, May 7, 1890, the son of J. Frank and Evelyn (Wilbur) Braids.
Ralph W. Braids, a private practice chiropractor, aged forty-nine years (b. RI), headed a Providence, RI, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Zilpha Braids, aged thirty-three years (b. MA), his son, Olin C. [Orin C.] Braids, aged one year (b. RI), his mother, Evelyn W. Braids, aged seventy-six years (b. RI), and his aunt, Emma E. Whiting, aged eighty-seven years (b. RI). Ralph W. Braids owned their house on Hope Street, which was valued at $7,500. The adults had all lived in Connecticut, RI, in 1935, except for Zilpha Braids, who had lived in Rochester, NH.
Ralph W. Braids died in Warwick, RI, in May 1971. Zilpha A. (Capron) Braids died in Newburyport, MA, April 13, 2003, aged ninety-six years.
Grace A. Flanders – Grades 5-6 – 1926-27
Grace Annie Flanders was born in Bradford, NH, August 31, 1906, daughter of Walter H. and Cleora (Sargent) Flanders.
Elnore Flanders, a boarding-house keeper, aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Plymouth, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her children, Helen C. Flanders, an insurance company bookkeeper, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Grace A. Flanders, a grade school teacher, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Caroline Flanders, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Frank H. Flanders, an A&P store clerk, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Richard A. Flanders, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and Mildred E. Flanders, aged twelve years (b. NH), and her boarder, Hattie M. Bagley, a widow, aged eighty-three years (b. NH). Elnore Flanders rented their house on Langton Street, for $19 per month. They had a radio set.
She married in Clinton Heights, NY, December 25, 1939, LeRoy Brown. He was born in NY, circa 1881. He died in 1967.
Grace A. (Flanders) Brown died in Delanson, NY, April 17, 1995.
Charles E. Glover – Grades 7-8, Principal – 1926-28
Charles Edwin Glover was born in Hebron, ME, January 2, 1897, son of Edwin M. and Gertrude L. (Bridgham) Glover.
Edwin M. Glover, a farmer (own farm), aged sixty-two years (b. ME), headed a Hebron, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Gertrude L. Glover, aged fifty-six years, his children, Charles E. Glover, a private practice law student, aged twenty-two years, and George G. Glover, a laborer (at home), aged twenty-one years, and his mother-in-law, Mary A. Bridgham, aged eighty-three years. Edwin M. Glover owned their farm in Hebron Village, free-and-clear.
Charles Glover appeared in the Milton directory of 1927, as principal of the Milton grammar school, resident in Milton.
Charles E. Glover received a $3 tax abatement in Hebron, ME, in 1928, due to his having already paid in Milton, NH (Hebron, ME, Town Report for the Year Ending February 9, 1928).
Augustus W. Thompson, a gas engines machinist, aged fifty-four years (b. NY), headed a Groton, CT, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eleven years), Edna E. Thompson, at home boarders, aged forty-six years (b. NY), and his lodgers, Charles E. Glover, a grade school teacher, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), and Myles C. Comstock, aged forty-six years (b. NY). Augustus W. Thompson owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $6,000. They had a radio set.
Charles E. Glover died in Pensacola, FL, December 25, 1974.
GLOVER. Mr. Charles E. Glover, 78, of 25 Horsehoe Ct., died Wednesday morning in a local hospital. Mr. Glover was a native of Maine and had resided in Pensacola for the past 30 years. He was a member of the East Brent Baptist Church, a retired postal clerk and a veteran of World War I. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Stella Glover of Pensacola, and a brother, George Glover of South Portland, Maine, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday from the East Brent Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Haigler officiating. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to services. Active pallbearers will be Gerald Adcox, J.W. Turk, A.R. Kunselman, David Melton, Dan Bares, and Keitz Habburay. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Barrancas Sunday School Class of the East Brent Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery with McNeil-Keyes Funeral Home directing (Pensacola News (Pensacola, FL), December 26, 1974).
Helen A. (Bliss) Chamberlain – Grades 3-4 – 1927-33, Grade 4 – 1934-36
Helen Agnes Bliss was born in Berlin, MA, July 19, 1875, daughter of C.H. and Augusta (Staples) Bliss.
Helen A. Bliss married in Berlin, MA, October 30, 1895, Clifton R. Chamberlain, she of Berlin and he of Marlboro, NH. She was at home, aged twenty years, and he was a shoe cutter, aged twenty-one years. He was born in Marlboro, MA, August 28, 1874, son of Arthur R. and Caroline E. (Rice) Chamberlain.
Clifton R. Chamberlain, a shoe clerk, aged twenty-five years (b. MA), headed a Norwich, CT, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of five years), Helen A. Chamberlain, a school teacher, aged twenty-four years (b. MA). Clifton R. Chamberlain rented their house on Rogers Avenue.
Clifton R. Chamberlain, a dentist (own shop), aged thirty-five years (b. MA), headed a Norwich, CT, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fourteen years), Helen A. Chamberlain, aged thirty-four years (b. MA). Clifton R. Chamberlain rented their house on Laurel Hill Avenue.
Clifton R. Chamberlain, a practical dentist, aged forty-five years (b. MA), headed a Norwich, CT, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Helen A. Chamberlain, aged forty-four years (b. MA). Clifton R. Chamberlain owned their house at 239 Laurel Hill Avenue, with a mortgage.
Peter J. Lover, a fibre mill laborer, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-four years), Alice M. Lover, aged forty years (b. NH), his children, Valna I. Lover, a grammar school teacher, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and Wilbur C. Lover, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and his boarder, Helen Chamberlain, a [divorced] grammar school teacher, aged fifty-four years (b. MA). Peter J. Lover owned their house on Church Street, which was valued at $1,000. They had a radio set.
Mrs. Helen Chamberlain was succeeded by Miss Louise Sayward, who is a graduate of Keene Teachers’ College, with experience (Howard L. Winslow, Superintendent, Town Report, 1936).
Clifton R. Chamberlain died January 26, 1940. Helen A. Chamberlain died in Pinellas, FL, February 29, 1952, aged seventy-six years.
OBITUARIES. Mrs. Helen A. Chamberlain. Mrs. Helen A. Chamberlain, retired public school teacher, died yesterday morning at her home, 844 Third Avenue South. She was 76 years old. Born in Berlin, Mass., Mrs. Chamberlain came to St. Petersburg two weeks ago from Melrose, Mass. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Fred G. Bliss, Connecticut, and Mrs. Clifton Walcott, Barre, Mass.; a nephew, Ronald H. Winde, Melrose, and a niece, Mrs. George Beckwith, Connecticut. Friends may call this afternoon and evening at Baynard’s Chapel (Tampa Bay Times, March 1, 1952).
Sarah L. Jenness – Grades 5-6 – 1927-28
Sarah L. Jenness was born in Rochester, NH, in 1906, daughter of James G. and Edith M. (Lord) Jenness.
James G. Jenness, a shoe factory treer, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Edith M. Jenness, aged forty-one years (b. NH), his children, Sarah L. Jenness, aged thirteen years (b. NH), and Edith M. Jenness, aged eleven years (b. NH), and his brother-in-law, Albert C. Lord, a steam railroad fireman, aged thirty-two years (b. NH). James G. Jenness rented their house at 97 Main Street.
Sarah L. Jenness appeared in the Rochester, NH, directory of 1928, as a teacher, resident at 25 Academy street. James G. Jenness appeared also, as being employed at 21 Hanson street, with his house at 25 Academy street.
Sarah L. Jenness married in Rochester, NH, November 3, 1928, Thomas W. Axon, both of Rochester. She was a teacher, aged twenty-two years, and he was a salesman, aged forty-two years. He was born in South Boston, MA, November 17, 1885, son of Emmanuel and Sarah (Russell) Axon.
Thomas Axon, a wholesale fish salesman, aged forty-three years (b. MA), headed a Weymouth, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of three years), Sarah L. Axon, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), his child, Thomas G. Axon, aged one year, three months (b. NH), and his nephew-in-law, J. Robert Grant, aged twenty years (b. NH). Thomas Axon owned their house at 11 Upland Road, which was valued at $3,600. They had a radio set.
NEWTON. Arthur English, 4, of 286 River st., West Newton, was slightly injured when struck by a truck near his home yesterday. The child, according to the police report, ran out from behind a parked truck and was hit by the right front fender of a truck driven by Thomas Axon, 11 Upland road, South Weymouth (Boston Globe, October 9, 1931).
Thomas Axon, a wholesale smoked fish salesman, aged fifty-four years (b. MA), headed a Hanover, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirteen years), Sarah L. Axon, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), his child, Thomas G. Axon, aged eleven years (b. NH). Thomas Axon rented their house on North Street, for $20 per month. They had resided in Pembroke, MA, in 1935.
Thomas Axon died in North Hanover, MA, July 9, 1953, aged fifty-nine years.
DEATH NOTICES. AXON – In North Hanover, suddenly, July 8. Thomas Axon of 999 Mam St., in his 60th [68th] year. Funeral service at the North Hanover Baptist Church on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Interment in Hanover Center Cemetery. Friends may call at the Rice Funeral Home. IS Webster st., Rockland, Friday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. (Boston Globe, July 9, 1953).
Sarah L. (Jenness) Axon died in 1987.
Martha W. (White) Griffin – Grades 5 -6 – 1928-29
Martha E. White was born in Woodsville, NH, in 1905, daughter of Charles E, and Elizabeth (Guthrie) White.
Martha R. White married in Woodsville, NH, July 23, 1927, Archibald L. “Archie” Griffin, both of Woodsville. She was a teacher, aged twenty-two years, and he was a railroad clerk, aged twenty-seven years. He was born in Natick, MA, circa 1900, son of Fred S. and Amelia (Rowden) Griffin.
Emerald T. Halgrin, a landscape gardener, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA), headed a Nashua, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of one year), Laura M. Halgrin, aged twenty-five years (b. Canada (Eng.)), and his lodger, Martha R. Griffin, a public school teacher, aged twenty-five years (b. NH). Emerald T. Halgrin rented their house at 4 Main Street, for $35 per month.
Archibald L. Griffin died in Amherst, NH, October 2, 1935. Martha R. (White) Griffin died in Holyoke, MA, July 28, 1973, aged sixty-eight years.
DEATHS. MRS. MARTHA R. WHITE. WINDSOR LOCKS – Mrs. Martha R. White, 68, of 125 S. Center St. died Saturday in Holyoke Hospital, Holyoke, Mass. Born in Woodsville, N.H., she formerly lived in Westfield and Enfield before moving to Windsor Locks four years ago. She taught Grade 5 in South Street School for 12 years, retiring last year. She was a member of the Senior Citizens Club and the Retired Teachers Association. She was a past officer of the Windsor Locks Teacher Association. She leaves a son, James White of Westfield and a sister, Mrs. Mabel Wilbur of Lebanon. The funeral is Monday at 2 p.m. in Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 41 Spring St. Burial will be at the convenience of the family Calling hours are today from 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Martha White Scholarship Fund, care of the superintendent of Whie Schools here (Hartford Courant, [Sunday,] July 29, 1973).
William S. Nagle – Grades 7-8, Principal – 1928-29
William Stephen Nagle was born in Gloucester, MA, December 9, 1892, son of John J. and Catherine E. “Kate” (Geary) Nagle.
John Nagle, manager of a fish concern, aged sixty years (b. Ireland), headed a Brookline, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Catherine E. Nagle, aged fifty-seven years (b. MA), and his children, Alice Nagle, an insurance co. stenographer, aged thirty-four years (b. MA), Elizabeth Nagle, a school teacher, aged thirty-one years (b. MA), and William S. Nagle, a meat business salesman, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA). John Nagle owned their house at 22 Coolidge Street, free-and-clear. He immigrated in 1871, and became a naturalized citizen in 1885.
William Stephen Nagle married in Brookline, MA, August 4, 1924, Ida May Rice. She was born in Guilford, ME, circa 1896, daughter of Selden D. Rice.
MISS IDA M. RICE BECOMES BRIDE OF WILLIAM S. NAGLE. A pretty wedding was solemnized last evening at St. Aidan’s Church, Brookline, when Miss Ida M. Rice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Selden D. Rice of Guilford. Me., became the bride of William S. Nagle, son of Mrs. Katherine E. Nagle of 92 Coolidge st., Brookline. The marriage was performed by Rev. Dr. John T. Creagh. pastor of the church. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Dorothea Rice of Boston. The groom was attended by his brother-in-law, John S.K. Hunt of Brookline. The bride was graduated from the Guilford High School and the Boston School of Domestic Science, and for the past five years has been, dietitian at Lasell Seminary, Auburndale. The groom was graduated from Dartmouth in 1916, and is a prominent Boston business man. He is a member of the D.K.E. fraternity and Dragon Society, and served two years with the British forces in Palestine. Mr. and Mrs. Nagle left immediately for New York, and tomorrow will sail for an extended European tour. They will be at home after Oct. 15 at their Brookline residence (Boston Globe, August 5, 1924).
William S. Nagel, a high school French teacher, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), headed a Bourne, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of five years), Ida R. Nagel, aged thirty-four years (b. ME), and his child, Joan Nagel, aged two years (b. ME). William S. Nagle rented their house on the “Road Off Country Road [from] Bourne to Falmouth,” for $25 per month. They did not have a radio set.
William S. Nagle died in Belmont, MA, in 1965. Ida M. (Rice) Nagle died in Belmont, MA, December 15, 1968.
LATE DEATH NOTICES. NAGLE – Of Belmont. December 15. Ida M. (Rice) of 86 Creeley rd., wife of the late William S. Nagle, and roomer oi Mrs. Joanne McCandless. of Lincoln, Neb., also survived by 3 grandchildren Melinda, Margaret, and Robin McCandless. Services at the Short. Williamson, and Diamond Funeral Home, 52 Trapelo Rd., BELMONT, Wednesday, December 18, at 10 a.m. Friends may call at the funeral home, Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 (Boston Globe, December 17, 1968).
Next in sequence: Milton Grammar School Teachers, 1930-53
References:
Colby College. (1917). Ninety-Seventh Annual Catalog of Colby College, For the Year 1916-17. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=CK1IAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA20
Colby College. (1920). General Catalogue of Officers, Graduates and Former Students of Colby College, Centennial Edition, 1820-1920. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=7Z5AAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA238
Find a Grave. (2018, April 27). Sarah L. Jenness Axon. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189215601/sarah-l-axon
Find a Grave. (2019, August 16). Zilpha Braids. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/202205295/zilpha-braids
Find a Grave. (2012, August 9). Grace Constance Fletcher Willey. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115184125/grace-constance-willey
Find a Grave. (2015, October 18). Marion I. Dickson Sanderson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/153918052/marion-i_-sanderson
Find a Grave. (2011, February 8). Laura Williams. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/65360008/laura-williams
Milton Observer 