Month: April 2021

By Muriel Bristol | April 25, 2021

In the Town Report of 1928, the Milton Town budget reported having spent $739.05 for the Protection of People and Property in 1927. That was allocated as $400 for Blister Rust, $269.85 for the Police Department, including the care of tramps, and $69.20 for the Fire Department, including Forest Fires. The allocations for 1928 were the same as for 1927 as regards the police and blister rust, but increased by $150 for the fire department.

(Blister rust (Cronartium Ribicola) is an invasive fungus introduced from China some thirty years before that attacks white pine trees).

As in earlier years, being a Milton policeman was very much as part-time job. There seem to have been no more than two part-time policemen (and rarely three) in any one year. There were also on occasion “special” policemen.

Apart from their regular duties, whatever they might have been been, Milton town budgets of this period mention paying policemen extra for traffic duty (now called detail work), rounding up tramps (including feeding them), collecting dog license fees, and even killing dogs, presumably mad or errant ones.

The Milton policemen identified in the Milton Town Reports of 1927-39 were: Fred Downs, Earle L. Walsh, William J. Madden, Fred J. Savoie, Herman J. Horne,  Verney C. Sprague. Phillip D. Pike, and George A. McKeagney.

Fred Downs – 1927-1936

Milton had two contemporary Fred Downs, the one that follows below and Fred C. Downs who, no doubt due to the duplication in names, went often by his middle name of Charles. Both were ice laborers. In the matter of determining which one was the Milton policeman, there is little on which to base a decision, at least with the currently available information. The one described below left for Rochester at the time policeman Fred Downs ceased appearing in the town records.

Fred Downs was born in Milton, December 9, 1880, son of Albert F. and Dorothy M. (Tuttle) Downs.

Fred Downs married in Milton, June 7, 1916, Ina Anna [(Bell)] Come, both of Milton. He was a shoemaker, aged thirty-six years, and she was a shoe stitcher, aged twenty-one years. Rev. John Manter performed the ceremony. She was born in Roxbury, VT, circa 1895, daughter of Joseph and Hattie M. (Gushea) Bell.

Fred Downs of Milton registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 12, 1918. He was a laborer for the Porter Milton Ice Co., aged thirty-seven years (b. December 9, 1880). His nearest relative was Ina Downs of Milton. He was of medium height, with a medium build, blue eyes, and brown hair.

Fred Downs, a [Porter-] Milton Ice Co. laborer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ina A. Downs, aged twenty-five years (b. VT). Fred Downs rented their house on the Plummer’s Ridge Road.

Fred Downs, an ice house laborer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirteen years), Ina A. Downs, aged thirty-four years (b. VT). Fred Downs rented their house on the Plummer’s Ridge Road, for $20 per month. They had a radio set.

BURGLARS ENTER MILTON STORE. Milton, Nov. 5 – Burglars broke into a store here early yesterday and also across the river in Lebanon, Me., and then staged a party with part of the loot. At the store of Nick Sarkes, on Main street here, $90 worth of cigarettes and $10 in cash was taken after the burglars broke in a window and released the door catch. Going into Maine, they removed four cases of beer from the Tanner store, then sat on the steps and drank part of the beer and smoked some of the stolen cigarettes. The break here is being investigated by Chief Fred Downs and Deputy Sheriff Stanley Turner, and in Lebanon Deputy Sheriff H.S. Hall is being assisted by Deputy Tanner (Portsmouth Herald, November 5, 1936).

Fred (Ina) Downs appeared in the Rochester directory of 1938, as proprietor of Ike & Ine’s Tea Room, with his house on the Milton Road, R.D. #3.

Fred Downs, a restaurant proprietor, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“East Rochester”) household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirteen years), Ina A. Downs, a restaurant proprietor, aged forty-four years (b. VT),and his helper, Rose Davis, a restaurant kitchen worker, aged fifty years (b. NH). Fred Downs rented their house on the Milton Road. Fred and Ina A. Downs had resided in Milton in 1935, and Rose Davis had resided in Acton, ME, in 1935.

Fred Downs of Milton Road, Rochester, NH, registered for the WW II military draft in Rochester, NH, April 27, 1942. He was employed at Ike ‘n’ Ine’s Restaurant, aged sixty years (b. December 9, 1880). His nearest relative was his wife, Ina Downs, of R.F.D. #2, Rochester, NH. He was 5′ 9″ tall, weighed 190 pounds, with gray eyes, and white hair.

Fred (Ina) Downs appeared in the Rochester directory of 1948, as proprietor of Ike & Ine’s Tea Room, and grocery, on the Milton Road, R.D. #2, with his house at the same place.

Ike & Ine’s Tea Room appeared in the Rochester directory of 1950, on the Milton road R.D. #3, with Mrs. Fred Downs as proprietor.

Ina Downs appeared in the Rochester directory of 1953, as the widow of Fred Downs, and proprietor of The Country Store, with her house off the Milton road, R.D. #2. The Country Store, Ina A. Downs, proprietor, was on the Milton road; it sold groceries.

Earle L. Walsh – 1927-1929

Earle Leonard “Leonard” Walsh was born in Lebanon, ME, May 18, 1897, son of George L. and Carrie M. (Briggs) Walsh.

Earl Leonard Walsh married in Wolfeboro, NH, April 7, 1917, Jessie Louise Tinker, both of Wolfeboro, NH. He was a machinist, aged nineteen years, and she was a teacher, aged twenty-one years. Rev. Carlyle Summerbell performed the ceremony. She was born in Wolfeboro, NH, July 1, 1895, daughter of Charles A. and Elizabeth (Whitworth) Tinker.

Earl Leonard Walsh of Forge Farm, Plymouth, MA, registered for the WW I military draft in Plymouth, MA, June 5, 1918. He was employed by Sherman L. Whipple of Plymouth, MA, and was aged twenty-one years (b. Lebanon, ME, May 18, 1897). His nearest relative was his wife, Jessie L. Walsh, of Forge Farm, Plymouth, MA. He was of a medium height, and slender build, with blue eyes, and brown hair.

George L. Walsh, a general farm farmer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Carrie Walsh, aged forty-seven years (b. ME), his sons, Earle L. Walsh, a garage mechanic, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), Charles B. Walsh, an electric co. electrician, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Ralph W. Walsh, aged thirteen years (b. NH), his daughter-in-law, Jesse I. Walsh, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), his grandchild, Earling Walsh Jr., aged one year (b. MA), and his boarder, Jeremiah Hodsdon, aged seventy-seven years (b. NH). George L. Walsh owned their farm, free-and-clear.

Jessie L. (Tinker) Walsh taught at the Milton Mills school in the years 1926 to 1935 (See Milton Mills’ Teachers, 1912-52).

Earle Walsh, a garage mechanic, aged thirty-four years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twelve years), Jessie Walsh, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), his children, Leonard Walsh, aged eleven years (b. MA), and Marilyn Walsh, born seven years (b. NH), and his father-in-law, Charles A. Tinker, a widower, aged seventy-five years (b. ME). Earle Walsh rented their house on Church Street, for $10 per month. They had a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Lucy Marsh, a widow, aged seventy-five years (b. ME), and Annie Reynolds, a widow, aged sixty-eight years (b. ME).

MILTON MILLS. Earle Walsh, district deputy grand master, and staff installed the officers of Fidelity Lodge at Wolfeboro last Friday night, October 12 (Farmington News, October 19, 1934).

LOCAL. Woodbine Lodge, I.O.O.F., will hold its annual installation of officers this Thursday evening. The ceremonies of installation will be performed by District Deputy Grand Master Earle Walsh of Milton Mills (Farmington News, October 19, 1934).

Earle L. Walsh, an undertaker, aged forty-two years (b. ME), headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Jessie L Walsh, a public school teacher, aged forty-three years (b. NH), his children, Earle L. Walsh, Jr., aged twenty-one years (b. MA), Marilyn Walsh, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and his father, George L. Walsh, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH). Earle L. Walsh owned [rented] their house on North Main Street, for $30 per month.

Earle Leonard Walsh of 23 Pleasant Street, Wolfeboro, NH, registered for the WW II military draft in Wolfeboro, NH, February 14, 1942. He was self-employed, aged forty-four years (b. Lebanon, ME, May 18, 1897). His telephone number was Wolfeboro 160. His contact was Jessie L. Walsh of Wolfeboro, NH. He was 5′ 9″ tall, weighed 165 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion.

1 Soldier Dies, 14 Hurt As Driver Hits Column. BERGENFIELD, N.J., March 27 (AP) – An automobile drove into the rear of a drilling column of 100 soldiers last night, Bergen county prosecutor John J. Breslin said, killing one and injuring 14 others. Breslin said Charles Mordaunt, 35, sales manager for an Englewood. automobile agency, had been booked as driver of the car on a charge of manslaughter by automobile and drunken driving. He said the death charge would be presented to the grand jury Tuesday while the drunken driving complaint would be taken to Bergenfield police court. The dead soldier was Murray Winawer of Brooklyn, N.Y., married. Five soldiers were treated at the scene, while nine others, were taken to Englewood and Holy Name hospitals. The injured, identified by army officers, included Earle Walsh, [Jr.,] 23, Wolfesboro, N.H., possible fractured vertebra, condition fair. He was taken to Englewood hospital (Fitchburg Sentinel (Fitchburg, NH), March 14, 1942).

Fish and Game Report. Fishermen Act Quickly On Department’s Plea. Pickerel fishermen have responded quickly to the plea issued by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department for information on large pickerel taken in the state. Recent reports include a 4¼ pound female, 25 inches long, 11 inches in girth, and a 3¼ pound female, 23 inches long, 8 inches in girth, taken Jan. 8, 1965, from Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro by Earl L. Walsh of East Wolfeboro … (Portsmouth Herald, February 6, 1965).

Jessie L. (Tinker) Walsh died in Wolfeboro, NH, in March 1969.

William J. Madden – 1932, 1940-45

William James Madden was born in Wandsworth, Surrey, England, April 1, 1886, son of Jack and Annie (Otterway) Madden.

William James Madden of Milton Mills registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 12, 1918. He was an alien, employed as a laborer for the John E. Townsend estate, aged thirty-two years (b. England, April 1, 1886). His nearest relative was Mrs. Susie S. Otterway of Milton Mills. He was of medium height and medium weight, with blue eyes and brown hair.

William J. Madden, a general work mason, aged thirty-three years (b. England), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his maternal aunt, Susan S. Otterway, a widow, aged eighty-seven years (b. NH). William J. Madden rented their house on the Sanbornville Road. William J. Madden was an alien, having immigrated into the U.S. in 1913.

William J. Madden married in Milton Mills, October 2, 1920, Beulah Naomi Marsh, both of Milton. He was a farmer, aged thirty-four years, and she was a blanket finisher, aged twenty-nine years. Rev. Edward J. Canfield performed the ceremony. She was born in Acton, ME, March 28, 1891, daughter of Edwin E. and Lucy L. (Earl) Marsh.

William J. Madden appeared in the Milton directory of 1930, as a mason, with his house at Milton Mills.

Lucy Marsh, a widow, aged seventy-five years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her son, Leroy Marsh, an odd jobs laborer, aged fifty years (b.ME), her son-in-law, William Madden, a odd jobs mason, aged forty-four years (b. England), her daughter (Madden’s wife of ten years), Beula Madden, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), and her granddaughter, Phyllis Madden, aged six years (b. NH). Lucy Marsh owned their house on Church Street, which was valued at $1,000. They had a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Frank Goodwin, a general farming laborer, aged forty-five years (b. ME), and Earle Walsh, a garage mechanic, aged thirty-four years (b. NH).

MILTON MILLS. William J. Madden celebrated his birthday Monday, April 1. Wonder if he got fooled? (Farmington News, April 5, 1935).

Willie J. Madden, a painter, aged fifty-four years (b. England), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included Beulah Madden, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), his daughter, Phyllis L. Madden, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and his brother-in-law, Leroy Marsh, aged sixty-two years (b. ME). Willie J. Madden owned their house at Milton Mills Center, which was valued at $1,000. They resided in the same house in 1935.

William James Madden of P.O. Box 25, Milton Mills registered for the WW II military draft in Milton, April 27, 1942. He was self employed, aged fifty-six years (b. Wandsworth, England, April 1, 1886). His telephone number was Milton Mills 14, and his nearest relative was Mrs. Beulah Madden of the same address. He was 5’7″ tall, weighed 150 pounds, a sallow complexion, and had blue eyes and brown hair. He had two tattoos on his right arm and one on his left arm.

William J. Madden died in South Berwick, ME, October 30, 1963, aged seventy-seven years.

Deaths and Funerals. William J. Madden. SOUTH BERWICK – William J. Madden, 77, of Portland St., died Wednesday at his home after a long illness. He was born in Wandworth, England, April 1, 1886, the son of Jack and Ann (Otterway) Madden. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Beulah (Marsh) Madden; a daughter, Mrs. Phyllis Nelson of South Berwick; and several nieces and nephews (Portsmouth Herald, 1963).

Beulah N. (Marsh) Madden died in South Berwick, ME, in July 1978.

Fred J. Savoie – 1932

Frederick Joseph Savoie was born in Dover, NH, November 29, 1896, son of Joseph W. and Delia (Burns) Savoie.

Fred J. Savoie, a U.S. Army private, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), resided at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, TX, at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. He was in the Eighth U.S. Cavalry.

Fred J. Savoie married in Somersworth, NH, October 7, 1922, Ruby Ellis, both of Milton. He was a laborer, aged twenty-five years, and she was a mill employee, aged seventeen years. She was born in Milton, May 3, 1905, daughter of George E. and Inez G. (Duntley) Ellis.

Fred Savoie, a fibre mill overseer, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eight years), Ruby Savoie, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), and his children, Jacqueline Savoie, aged five years (b. NH), Maurice Savoie, aged three years (b. NH), and Elaine Savoie, aged two years (b. NH). Fred Savoie owned their house on South Main Street, which was valued at $1,600. They did not have a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Malcolm A. Hart, a general practice physician, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), and Ralph E. Meserve, a fibre mill bleacher, aged twenty-two years (b. ME).

Fred J Lavoie, a leatherboard mill finisher, aged forty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ruby Lavoie, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and his children, Jacqueline P. Lavoie, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Maurice M. Lavoie, aged thirteen years (b. NH), and Elaine M. Lavoie, aged twelve years (b. NH). Fred J. Savoie owned their house on Main Street in the Milton Community, which was valued at $1,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Malcolm A.H. Hart, a medical doctor, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH), and Arthur A. Jenness, a shoemaker, aged fifty-five years (b. NH).

Fred Joseph Savoie of Main Street, Milton, registered for the WW II military draft in Milton, April 26, 1942. He was employed by the Spaulding Fibre company. He was forty-five years of age (b. Dover, November 29, 1896). He stood 5′ 3″ tall, weighed 185 pounds, and had grey eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion. He had no telephone number. His contact was Mrs. Ruby Savoie, P.O. Box 260, Milton.

Fredrick J. Savoie of Milton died of coronary heart thrombosis in the U.S. Naval Hospital in Kittery, ME, January 22, 1946, aged forty-nine years, one month, and twenty-four days. (He was employed as a fireman at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard).

Fireman Dies In Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Fred J. Savoie of Milton died yesterday at the U. S. naval hospital at the Portsmouth naval base where he had been a patient for eight days suffering from smoke inhalation reportedly received while fighting a blaze aboard a submarine at the base a week ago. A member of the fire department at the base, Mr. Savoie was born in Dover, the son of Joseph W. and Delia Burns Savoie. He had been resident of Milton for the past 20 years. He was 49 years old. He served in World War I and was a member of the Oscar Morehouse post, American Legion, of Milton, the Milton fire department and Rindge lodge, Knights of Pythias, East Rochester. Survivors include his wife. Mrs. Ruby Savoie: two daughters, Jacqueline and Elaine Savoie; a son, Maurice, all of Milton, and a sister, Mrs. Jennie Wentworth of Farmington (Portsmouth Herald, January 24, 1946).

Ruby (Ellis) Savoie died in Milton, September 23, 1996.

Herman J. Horne – 1933-34

Herman Julian “Rip” Horne was born in Milton Mills, October 26, 1905, son of John E. and Olive A. (Moulton) Horne.

(His father owned the Milton Mills shop occupied by blacksmith and policeman, Hiram J. Burrows, when it burned in the early hours of Thursday, November 20, 1924. (See Milton in the News – 1924)).

Herman J. Horne married in Milton Mills, June 23, 1929, Mildred E. Dow, he of Milton Mills and she of Rochester, NH. He was a clerk, aged twenty-three years, and she was a cashier, aged twenty-five years. Rev. Edwin B. Young performed the ceremony. She was born in Dover, NH, circa 1904, daughter of Joseph W. and Charlotte (Haney) Dow.

Herman J. Horne, a dry goods salesman, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mildred D. Horne, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Herman J. Horne rented their house on School Street, for $9 per month. They did not have a radio set. They shared their two-family dwelling with the household of William Woodbury, a poultry breeder, aged thirty-two years (b. NH).

MILTON MILLS. Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Horne entertained Mr. and Mrs. Lester Colt of Lowell, Mass., over the weekend (Farmington News, March 1, 1935).

J. Herman Horne, an electric light line foreman, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Somersworth, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, D. Mildred Horne, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), and his children, A. David Horne, aged eight years (b. NH), O. Patricia Horne, aged six years (b. NH), Pamela Horne, aged three years (b. NH), Peter Horne, aged three years (b. NH), and Robert Horne, aged seven months (b. NH). J. Herman Horne owned their house at 43 Mt. Vernon Street, which was valued at $4,500. Those old enough to have done so had all lived in Milton Mills in 1935.

Herman J. Horne died in Rochester, NH, in June 1978. Mildred E. (Dow) Horne died in Rochester, NH, in September 1980.

Verney C. Sprague – 1935-38

Verney Charles Sprague was born in Shapleigh, ME, March 10, 1893, son of Simon S. and Annie A. (James) Sprague.

Verney Sprague married (1st) in Farmington, NH, July 1, 1914, Ella May Cook, both of Farmington, ME. They were both shoe workers, he was aged twenty-two years, and she was aged twenty-one years. Rev. John T. Clow performed the ceremony. She was born in Meredith, NH, circa 1894, daughter of Nathaniel and Helen (Browne) Cook.

PERSONAL. Mrs. Annie Rand returned Monday from a few days’ visit with her son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Verney Sprague (Farmington News, June 9, 1916).

Verney Charles Sprague of Waterboro, ME, registered for the WW I military draft in Shapleigh, ME, June 5, 1917. He was aged twenty-five years (born Shapleigh, ME, March 10, 1893). He was a fireman for Albert Sanborn of Brownfield, ME. He was tall, with a medium build, blue eyes, and light hair. He claimed an exemption (he was married).

PERSONAL. Mr. and Mrs. Verney Sprague of Brownville, Me., are guests of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Edgerly (Farmington News, June 15, 1917).

Vernie C. Sprague, a sawmill laborer, aged twenty-eight years (b. ME), headed a Waterboro, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ella M. Sprague, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH). Verney Sprague rented their house. They shared a two-family dwelling with the household of [his brother] Willie E. Sprague, a sawmill laborer, aged twenty-six years (b. ME).

Verney Sprague, a medical products salesman, aged thirty-eight years (b. ME), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of seventeen years), Ella Sprague, aged thirty-eight years (b. ME), and his boarder, George Eastman, aged twenty-seven years (b. ME). Verney Sprague owned their house. They had a radio set.

Verney C. Sprague, a retail grocery store owner, aged forty-eight years, headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ella Sprague, aged forty-seven years. Verney C. Sprague owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $2,800.

Verney Charles Sprague of No. Shapleigh, ME, registered for the WW II military draft in Milton Mills, April 27, 1942. He was aged forty-nine years (born Shapleigh, ME, March 10, 1893). He was self-employed in Milton Mills. He was 5′ 11″ tall, weighed 180 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion. He had scars on his left hand. His telephone number was Milton Mills 37-3. His nearest relative was his wife, Ella M. Sprague, P.O. Box 77, Milton Mills.

Ella M. (Cook) Sprague died in Sanford, ME, July 9, 1960.

Verney C. Sprague married (2nd) in ME, October 1, 1962, Ruth E. Bennett. She was born in Standish, ME, October 24, 1908, daughter of William N. and Almeda B. (Libby) Bennett.

Verney C. Sprague died in Shapleigh, ME, July 11, 1975, aged eighty-three years. Ruth E. Bennett died in Shapleigh, ME, April 24, 1976.

Herbert A. Downs – 1937-38, 1941

Herbert Arthur Downs was born in Barnstead, NH, January 15, 1915, son of Arthur L. and Maud G. (Welch) Downs.

Herbert A. Downs married in Milton, Mat 1, 1936, Wilma F. Warnecke, both of Milton. He was a mill worker, aged twenty-one years, and she was a bookkeeper, aged eighteen years. Rev. E. Lincoln Bigelow performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, circa 1918, daughter of William O.L. and Francina I. (Nutter) Warnecke.

Herbert A. Downs, an inspector, aged twenty-five years, headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Wilma F. Downs, aged twenty-two years, and his children, Arthur W. Downs, aged three years, and Sharon E. Downs, aged one month. Herbert A. Downs owned their house on the Farmington Road, which was valued at $1,000.

Herbert A. Downs died in Portland, ME, June 3, 1993.

Phillip D. “Damon” Pike – 1938-39

Phillip Damon Pike was born in Milton Mills, January 31, 1915, son of Phillip G. and Rosamond E. (Piper) Pike. (His mother taught at the Milton Mills school (See Milton Mills’ Teachers, 1912-52)).

Philip G. Pike, aged thirty-eight years. His household included his wife, Rosamond E. Pike, aged forty years, and his children, Louise E. Pike, aged seventeen years, and P. Damon Pike, aged fifteen years.

Phillip G. Pike, a retail meat market clerk, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Rosmon E. Pike, aged fifty years (b. NH), his son, Damon Pike, an auto factory mechanic, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), his daughter-in-law, Beatrice Pike, aged twenty-two years (b. MA), and his grandson, Wayford Pike, aged nine months (b. NH). Phillip H. Pike owned their house on Highland Avenue, which was valued at $700. They had resided in the same house in 1935, excepting Beatrice Pike, who has lived in Rochester, NH, and Wayford Pike, who was not born in 1935.

Phillip Damon Pike of Milton Mills registered for the WW II military draft in Milton, in April 1942. He was an employee of Spaulding Fibre company of North Rochester, NH, aged twenty-five years (b. Milton Mills, January 31, 1915). His nearest relative was his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Louise Pike of the same address. He was 6′ tall, weighed 170 pounds, with a light complexion, and had blue eyes and blonde hair.

Damon Pike went on to become Milton’s fire chief:

N.H. Man, 76, Burns to Death. MILTON MILLS, N.H.. Jan. 14 – A 76-year-old laborer, burned to death when fire swept his two-room house here early this morning. Herbert Goldthwaith was found dead in his bed. Fire Chief Damon Pike said the blaze was believed started by a space heater. The victim leaves a son, Robert of Dover, N.H., and a daughter, Lillian (Boston Globe, January 15, 1961).

Phillip D. Pike died of smoke inhalation while fighting a barn fire in Milton, November 29, 1971.

Fire Chief Dies in Action. MILTON MILLS, N.H. (AP) – Veteran Fire Chief Damon Pike died Monday night after he apparently was overcome by smoke while fighting a barn fire. Death was attributed to smoke inhalation and asphyxiation (Portsmouth Herald, November 30, 1971).

Milton Mills News. And [our sincere sympathy] to the family of Mr. Damon Pike who lost his life fighting a fire here in town Monday evening (Farmington News, December 9, 1971).

George A. McKeagney – 1939

George Albert McKeagney was born in Boston, MA, July 9, 1908, son of Patrick H. and Mary L. (Gibson) McKeagney.

Laura Mckeagney, aged forty-seven years, headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her children, George Mckeagney, a fibre mill machinist, aged twenty-one years (b. MA), Marie Mckeagney, aged eleven years (b. MA), and Robert Mckeagney, aged nine years (b. NH), and her half-brother, Edwin J. Gibson, a shoe shop shoe repairer, aged fifty-three years (b. MA). Laura M. McKeagney owned their house on the Wakefield Road, which was valued at $5,000. Their household was enumerated between those of George Kingston, a fibre mill laborer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and William A. Dickson, a fibre mill superintendent, aged fifty-five years (b. MA).

Laura M. McKeagney, a fibre mill office clerk, aged fifty years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her children, George A. McKeagney, a garage proprietor, aged thirty-one years (b. MA), and Robert B. McKeagney, an N.Y.A. Project foreman, aged nineteen years (b. MA), and her brother, Edwin J. Gibson, a shoe shop line laborer, aged sixty-one years (b.MA). Laura M. McKeagney owned their house, which was valued at $2,500. They had all lived in the same house in 1935.

George A. McKeagney married in Rochester, NH, July 8, 1941, Thelma M. Wright, he of Milton and she of 204 N. Main Street, Rochester, NH. He was a state trooper, aged thirty-two years, and she was a dietician, aged thirty-three years. She was born in Everett, MA, October 19, 1907, daughter of Frederick and Helen (Durgin) Wright.

George McKeagney appeared in the Rochester directory of 1941, as a state policeman, residing at 6 May street. Thelma M. (Mrs. George) McKeagney appeared as a clerk at F.W. Woolworth Co., with her house at 6 May street.

SOUTH MILTON, N.H., May 18 (AP) — The home of Mrs. Laure McKeagney, mother of State Trooper George A. McKeagney, was destroyed by fire yesterday with damage estimated at $5000. Sparks from the fire caused slight damage to the roof of an adjacent house and also started a brush and grass fire (Newport Express (Newport, VT), May 18, 1943).

George A. McKeagney died in Meredith, NH, February 13, 1987. Thelma M. (Wright) McKeagney died January 16, 1999.

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See also Milton Policemen – c1891-1914 and Milton Policemen – 1940-52

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References:

Find a Grave. (2013, August 8). Herbert Arthur Downs. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115104102/herbert-arthur-downs

Find a Grave. (2014, April 17). William James Madden. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/128115614/william-james-madden

Find a Grave. (2018, August 6). George A. McKeagney. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/192028770/george-a-mckeagney

Find a Grave. (2013, August 11). Phillip Damon Pike. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115287603/philip-damon-pike

Wikipedia. (2020, December 29). Cronartium Ribicola. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronartium_ribicola

By Muriel Bristol | April 4, 2021

The first mention of a Milton policeman that has come to hand concerns the April 1891 arrest of one Correbin E. Murphy for drunkenness.

(An examination of Strafford County Court records might shed more light on exactly when Milton policemen began sending cases that way).

Prior to having its own policemen Milton had, or perhaps had instead, many justices of the peace – as many as fifteen of them in any given year – and usually had also a resident appointed deputy sheriff who reported to the elected county sheriff.

Neighboring Farmington, NH, had town policemen as early as 1879. In 1880, five policemen, presumably including its police chief, if any there was initially, published the town’s police regulations (as countersigned by the town selectmen):

POLICE REGULATIONS FOR THE TOWN OF FARMINGTON. Article 1. No awning shade or other fixtures, in front of any store or dwelling house, shall be less than eight feet in height in the lowest part thereof. Art. 2. No boxes, barrels, or any other article, “Seats for Loafers,” will be allowed to remain on any side-walk on the Sabbath, within the limits of the village of Farmington. Art. 3. There will be no collection of persons on the side-walks, or at the corners of the streets, so as to impede or prevent any person from freely passing therein. Nor shall anyone be suffered to push, insult or abuse by words or otherwise, any person passing on the side-walk or in the streets of thus town. Art. 4. No person shall smoke any pipe or cigar, in any livery stable, or any stable used in connection with either of the hotels of this town. Art. 5. Shouting, screaming and whistling, or making any other disturbance in the streets or on the commons, particularly in the evening or night time, is strictly forbidden, under the penalty of the act hereafter mentioned. Art. 6. If two or more persons shall be on the side-walk in a situation to interfere with those that wish to pass on the side-walk, in such a manner as unnecessarily to come in contact with persons whom they may meet, they and each shall be punished as in the statute hereafter mentioned. Art. 7. Any person creating any disturbance in any public place in this town, and, being requested by a Police Officer, shall not immediately leave, or having left by such request, shall return the same evening, shall be punished as above provided. Art. 8. No person shall be allowed to play ball, pitch quoits, or make any disturbance whatever, in any of the streets, lanes or alleys of this town. Art. 9. No person or persons shall be allowed to slide or coast in any of the streets, lanes or alleys within the limits of this town. Art. 10. It shall be deemed rude or disorderly conduct, and a violation of Police Laws, for three or more persons to collect after sunset in front of the Post Office, or corners of any street in town, and there remain after a notice by the police officer to disperse, and all persons without business of necessity so found standing or sitting, shall be punished as rude and disorderly persons, according to the provisions of Chapter 296 of the General Laws of this State, Art. 11. The proprietors or employees of any and all Saloons and Restaurants, are requested to close the same at 10 P.M., and not open them on the Sabbath. Art. 12. No person shall be allowed at any meeting at the Town Hall to stamp, whistle, or make any other disturbance whatever. Art. 13. No person shall leave standing or fastened any horse or carriage in any street in such a manner as to impede the free travel thereon, in the village of this town. Art. 14. Any person offending against any of these Laws, By-Laws and Regulations, shall be punished according to the provisions of Chapter 269 and 533 of the General Laws of this State. STEPHEN NUTTER, CHAS. WHITEHOUSE, ALBERT J. WILLEY, SAML. J. LEIGHTON, JOHN G.H. SMITH, Police Officers of Farmington. Approved by the Selectmen, June, 1880. SAMUEL S. AMAZEEN, JOSEPH L. DEMERRITT, BENJAMIN ROBERTS, Selectmen of Farmington (Farmington News, June 25, 1880).

The obvious unconstitutionality of much of this might be enough almost to make one want to violate Article 12 by stamping, whistling, or making some other disturbance at the next Town Hall meeting. One might hope that Milton’s police regulations, if any there were, managed to achieve a more perfect alignment with the natural rights acknowledged by the Bill of Rights.

The offices of Milton chief of police, as well as the usually lone Milton constable or policeman, were elected positions. None of those holding those offices in this period did so on a full-time basis, they all had also their principal occupations.

The Milton policemen of this period (that have been identified to date) were: James H. “Harris” Rhines, Fred P. Howard, Charles E. Remick, Hiram J. Burrows, Hazen W. “Wesley” Downs, Hartley A. Nutter, and Mylo M. Sinclair.

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James H. Rhines, Jr. – c1891-14

James Harris Rhines, Jr., was born in New Durham, NH, July 8, 1855, son of James H. and Melissa D. (Boston) Rhines.

James H. Rines married in Farmington, NH, November 12, 1877, Emma [A.] Knox, he of Farmington and she of Milton. He was a farmer, aged twenty-two years, and she was aged twenty-one years. Rev. D.H. Adams of Farmington performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, October 19, 1855, daughter of Hosea and Belinda Q. (Leighton) Knox.

James H. Rines, works on shoes, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Emma Rines, keeps house, aged twenty-two years (b. NH).

The first mention of a Milton policeman that has come to hand is the April 8, 1891 arrest by Policeman J.H. Rines for public drunkenness.

MILTON. Correbin E. Murphy was arrested by Policeman J.H. Rines Wednesday night and at the court, Thursday morning, Judge Fox sentenced him to ninety days in the county jail as a common drunkard (Farmington News, April 10, 1891).

Policeman Rines appeared next in the record conducting a liquor raid on a Milton hotel. Its owner or manager, John E. Ward, was born in Calais, ME, June 27, 1843. He and his wife Eva left their home in nearby Barnstead, NH, to manage a Milton hotel in February 1892.

NORTH BARNSTEAD. We are sorry to learn of the departure of our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. John Ward, who have gone to Milton to take charge of a hotel (Farmington News, February 12, 1892).

MILTON. Officer Rines made a raid last Saturday night on Mr. Ward’s hotel, and found evidence enough to convict him of selling liquor without a license. Mr. Ward was taken to the jail and kept there until Monday, when he had his trial. He was bound over to the superior court, which will meet at Dover in September, and held in $200 bonds (Farmington News, April 15, 1892).

MILTON. A raid was made on Ward’s hotel some time ago and he was held under bonds for the September court. Mr. Ward continued the sale of liquor without a license and last week Thursday the state took the case in hand and carried Ward to Dover, where his trial was held. He paid a large fine and returned home (Farmington News, May 6, 1892).

John E. Ward appeared in the Somersworth, NH, directory of 1895, as a teamster, with his house on Main street, at its corner with Indigo Hill road. (John E. Ward of Farmington, NH, died of apoplexy, i.e., a stroke, on the Strafford County Farm, in Dover, NH, June 13, 1926, aged eighty-three years).

MILTON. Harris Rines has strawberries in the several stages of bearing, from blossoming to ripe fruit. They are potted plants, but have been kept out of doors most of the time (Farmington News, 1898).

James Harris Rines appeared in the Milton directory of 1900, as a shoe edge setter, with his house at 35 South Main street.

James Rines, a day laborer, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-four years), Emma Rines, aged forty-three years (b. NH), and his brother-in-law, Forrest E. Knox, aged twenty years (b. NH). James Rines owned their house, free-and-clear. Emma Rines was the mother of one child, of whom none was still living.

… Another of the Milton Samsons is Chief of Police Harris Rines. Mr. Rines is very popular, and many of his friends assert that he is actually the strongest man in town. Chief Rines is 40, measures 5 feet 11 inches in height and tips the scales at 210 pounds. His commands are always promptly obeyed, for it is well known that the genial chief is not at all backward about enforcing them whenever occasion demands (Boston Globe, November 26, 1900 (See Milton’s Men of Muscle in 1900)).

James Harris Rines appeared in the Milton directory of 1902, as a shoe operative, with his house at 35 So. Main street. He appeared in the Milton directory of 1905, as a laborer, with his house at 35 So. Main street.

Milton Police Chief Rhines arrested and held in custody Genaro Calella, the suspect in the Hennessey kidnapping of 1908, until he turned him over to officer James Hoy of the Charlestown, MA, police. Before the transfer, Calella attempted to hang himself in his cell, but Chief Rhines cut him down in time.

HE TRIED HANGING, KIDNAPPER OF GIRL. Milton, N.H., May 18 – After his arrest for kidnapping seventeen-years-old Josephine Counihan of Charlestown, Mass., love-crazed Genaro Callela tried to kill himself in his cell here because he could not have her. Chief of Police Rhines, it was learned to-day, found the man hanging with a suspender around his neck from a peg in the wall where prisoners are supposed to put their clothes and cut him down just in time to save his life. Callela, who is twenty-eight years old and married, forced the girl, according to her story, to leave Charlestown with him under threat of death. He brought her here and put her in a boarding house, but while he was out getting his hair cut the girl appealed to the landlady and Callela was arrested. “I will kill myself” cried the man when he was revived after the attempt at suicide. “If I can’t have Josephine no one else shall.” He will be taken to Charlestown for trial (Meriden Journal (Meriden, CT), May 18, 1908).

James Harris Rines appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as a laborer and policeman, with his house at 35 So. Main street. (He appeared also, under the alternate spelling Rhines, as a farmer and policeman, with his house at 35 So. Main street).

Chief of Police James Rines sought for arrest a State Highway road worker who had stabbed another road worker in their lodgings in the Hart Building in November 1909. (See Milton in the News – 1909).

MILTON. At the town meeting last Tuesday, Charles A. Jones, Haven Nutter and Samuel Drew were chosen for selectmen. Dr. M.A.H. Hart was re-elected on the school board for the next three years. Everett F. Fox town treasurer. H.L. Avery and B.B. Plummer town auditors, H.W. Downs constable, J.H. Rhines chief of police (Farmington News, March 12, 1909).

James H. Rines, Town police man, aged fifty-three 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 thirty-seven years), Emma A. Rines, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), his brother-in-law, Forest Knox, a R.R. crossing flagman, aged forty years (b. NH), and his sister-in-law, Sarah Knox, aged forty-nine years (b. NH). James H. Rines owned their house, free-and-clear. Emma Rines was the mother of one child, of whom none was still living.

James Harris Rhines appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a farmer and policeman, with his house at 35 So. Main street.

J. Harris Rhines, a policeman, died of acute indigestion in Milton, September 24, 1914, aged fifty-nine years, two months, and sixteen days. (James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate).

James H. Rhines appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as a farmer and policeman, who had died September 24, 1914, aged fifty-nine years. Emma A. Rhines, appeared as the widow of James H., with her house at 35 So. Main street.

Emma A. (Knox) Rhines died of fibroid phthisis in Milton, October 28, 1918, aged sixty-three years, and nine days. (M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate).

Fred P. Howard – c1896-1912

Fred P. Howard was born in Rochester, NH, October 10, 1867, son of Elbridge W. and Sarah E. Howard.

Fred Howard married in Rochester, NH, May 11, 1886, Costella A. Scruton, both of Gonic, i.e., Rochester, NH. He was a shoe buffer, aged nineteen years, and she was aged nineteen years. She was born in Rochester, NH, September 24, 1869, daughter of Denman B. and Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” (Foss) Scruton.

MILTON. Chief of Police Howard captured a seven-pound lake trout at Wolfeboro Monday (Farmington News, [Friday,] May 28, 1896).

MILTON NEWS LETTER. Chief of Police Howard on Monday arrested a man, supposed to be wanted for a murder committed in Connecticut. The man proved to be a gold brick, however, as the right man was found in Massachusetts (Farmington News, August 20, 1897).

Fred Howard appeared in the Milton directory of 1900, as a policeman and edge setter, with his house on School street.

Fred P. Howard, a shoe edge setter, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fourteen years), Costella Howard, aged thirty years (b. NH), and his child, Effie Howard, at school, aged twelve years (b. NH). Fred P. Howard owned their house, free-and-clear. Costella Howard was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.

Fred Howard appeared in the Milton directory of 1902, as a shoe edge setter in Newburyport, MA, with his house at School street in Milton.

STRAFFORD CORNER. Mrs. Fred Howard and daughter, Effie, of Milton have been visiting at B.P. Berry’s the past week (Farmington News, August 8, 1902).

STRAFFORD CORNER. Mrs. Fred Howard and daughter Effie of Milton were guests of B.P. Berry’s family Wednesday of last week (Farmington News, June 19, 1903).

Fred Howard appeared in the Milton directories of 1905 and 1909, as a shoe operative, with his house at 9 School street. His daughter, Effie Howard, appeared also in 1909, as a shoe operative, boarding with F.H., at 9 School street.

Fred Howard, a shoe factory finisher, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-four years), Costella Howard, aged forty years (b. NH). Fred Howard owned their house, free-and-clear. Costella Howard was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.

Fred Howard appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a having or working at a meat market on Main street, and as being a policeman, with his house at 9 School street.

Fred Howard appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as a shoe operative, with his house at 9 School street.

Fred Howard, a shoe shop edge setter, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Costilla Howard, aged forty-nine years (b. NH). Fred Howard owned his house on the Farmington Road in Milton Village, free-and-clear.

Fred Howard, a retail meat market merchant, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of forty-three years), Costilla Howard, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH). Fred Howard owned their house on School Street, which was valued at $1,800. They did not have a radio set. School Street lay between the Farmington Road (now Elm Street) and Church Street. It had three houses only, those of Hannah Wentworth, a widow, aged eighty-nine years (b. NH), Fred Howard, and Charles W. Wilson, a gravel company foreman, aged forty-one years (b. ME).

Costella A. (Scruton) Howard died of a pulmonary embolism at Frisbee Hospital in Rochester, NH, May 24, 1934, aged sixty-three years, and eight months. (A breast cancer operation was a contributing cause).

Fred Howard, a shoe shop shoemaker, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. He owned his house on School Street, which was valued at $1,500. He had lived in the same house in 1935.

Fred Howard died in Rochester, NH, February 1, 1950, aged eighty-two years.

Charles E. Remick – 1900-05

Charles E. Remick was born in Milton, circa 1856, son of Moses H. and Clara (Wentworth) Remick.

Charles Remick married in Wakefield, NH, August 26, 1874, Etta S. Horne, he of Milton, and she of Acton, ME. He was a farmer, aged eighteen years, and she was aged eighteen years. She was born in Sanford, ME, October 23, 1856, daughter of Edward and Louisa Horne.

Charles Remick, a day laborer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Etta S. Remick, keeping house, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), and his child, Lester C. Remick, aged four years (b. NH).

Charles Remick, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Etta Remick, aged forty-three years (b. ME), Lester Remick, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Minnie Remick, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and Forrest Remick, aged four years (b. NH). Charles Remick rented their house. Etta Remick was the mother of four children, of whom three were still living

Charles E. Remick appeared in the Milton directories of 1900, 1902, and 1905, as a policeman and shoe nailer, with his house at the rear of 70 Main street, in Milton Mills.

CHARLES E. REMICK appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as deputy sheriff, with his house at 42 Main street, at the corner of Charles street, in Milton Mills.

Charles Remick, a shoe factory laster, aged fifty-three years, headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-five years), Etta S. Remick, aged fifty-three years, and his child, Forest E. Remick, aged fourteen years. Charles Remick rented their house. Etta I. Remick was the mother of three children, of whom three were still living.

Etta S. Remick died of stomach cancer in Milton Mills, April 25, 1910, aged fifty-three years, six months, and two days.

Charles E. Remick appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as having moved to Sanbornville, i.e., Wakefield, NH.

Charles E. Remick married (2nd) in Farmington, NH, September 16, 1917, Hattie M. “Maude” [(Kimball)] Hill, both of Farmington. He was a shoeworker, aged sixty years, and she was a housekeeper, aged thirty-two years. Charles Pitman, Justice-of-the-Peace, performed the ceremony. She was born in Farmington, NH, circa 1884, daughter of Samuel W. and Addie R. (Young) Kimball.

Charles E. Remick of Rochester, NH, divorced Maud Remick of Farmington, NH, in Starfford County Court, October 15, 1919. He alleged extreme cruelty (one had to allege something).

Charles E. Remick, a general farm farmer, aged fifty-six [sixty-six] years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his housekeeper, Mattie L. Foss, a shoe factory lining in, aged fifty-one years (b. MA). He was divorced. They resided on Elm Street.

Harry Hamilton, a shoe factory laster, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-nine years), Minnie G. Hamilton, a shoe factory stitcher, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), his children, Rena E. Bennett, a private family housemaid, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Lena A. Hamilton, a shoe factory room girl, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), and Beatrice U. Hamilton, a shoe factory doubler, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and his father-in-law, Charles E. Remick, a shoe factory leveller, aged seventy-two years (b. NH). Harry Hamilton rented their house at 52 Central Street, for $20 per month.

Charles E. Remick died of angina pectoris at 52 Central Street in Farmington, NH, February 11, 1936, aged seventy-six years, nine months, and seventeen days.

Hazen W. Downs – c1901-09

Hazen W. “Wesley” Downs was born in Milton, January 25, 1848, son of Joshua H. “Hanson” and Emily P. (Duntley) Downs. (Blacksmith Hazen Duntley was his maternal grandfather).

Hazen W. Downs married (1st) in Dover, NH, February 12, 1875, Fannie M. Hersom, he of Milton, and she of Dover. She was born in Waterboro, ME, circa 1849, daughter of Jesse R. and Mary E. (Smith) Hersom. He was a shoemaker, aged twenty-eight years, and she was aged twenty-seven years.

Hasen W. Downs, a shoemaker, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Fanny Downs, keeping house, aged thirty-one years (b. ME), and his daughter, Blanch Downs, aged three years (b. NH). They resided on Sixth Street.

MILTON. As the seasons change so do business men. Mr. Charles Looney has moved his goods and post-office into Wentworth’s Block on Main St., with Mr. Wesley Downs, formerly of this place, and has put in a large lot of groceries and crockery ware, and is now ready to do business o the square (Farmington News, April 29, 1881).

MILTON. Wesley Downs lost his horse Monday afternoon. While drawing a small load of brick up the hill on Silver Street, the animal fell dead in the harness (Farmington News, December 5, 1890).

Fanny M. (Hersom) Downs died of a “complication of diseases” in Milton, October 17, 1894, aged forty-six years, nine months, and two days. (W.F. Wallace, M.D., signed the death certificate).

MILTON. H.W. Downs spent last week with friends in Boston (Farmington News, April 21, 1899).

Hazen W. Downs, a teamster, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His house included his daughter, Lura Downs, a housekeeper, aged nineteen years (b. NH).

MILTON. An entertainment was given at Sid Nutter’s camp last Thursday night, by a Boston party stopping there, which was called “Dobbyn’s Rough Rider Minstrel Show, at Crape Hall.” Wesley Downs was presented by the party with a silver policeman’s badge (Farmington News, August 16, 1901).

The entertainment’s host, Sid Nutter, was father of another Milton policeman, Hartley A. Nutter (see below). John F. Dobbyn was a lieutenant in the Charlestown, MA, i.e., Boston, MA, police. He and his wife were frequent campers in Milton. (She rescued a drowning child in 1902, and it was he that escorted the alleged kidnapper of 1908 back to Boston).

Hazen W. Downs appeared in the Milton directory of 1902 and 1905, as a truckman and policeman, with his house at 7 Silver street. Miss Lura Downs appeared in 1902 as boarding at 7 Silver street.

MILTON. At the town election Tuesday March 10, Harry Avery was chosen town clerk, Haven K. Jewett, J.H. Avery, Fred B. Roberts, selectmen, Elisha I. Libbey, treasurer, Wesley Downs, chief of police, and Dr. M.A.H. Hart on the school board. An extra appropriation of $800 was made for school. Horace Babb of Dover was present at the meeting and explained that the accumulation from the sum left by Lewis W. Nute for the care of the cemetery on Nute’s Ridge had for certain reasons not been used. It was voted that the selectmen in conjunction with a committee chosen from the heirs should be appointed to expend the accumulation in improving the grounds (Farmington News, March 13, 1903).

MILTON. Lura Downs died Dec. 31, after an illness of nine months of consumption. She was the only remaining daughter of J. [H.] Wesley Downs. The funeral was held Sunday, the D. of P. [Daughters of Pythias], of which she was a member, performing their burial service (Farmington News, January 8, 1904).

MILTON. Town meeting passed off quietly, and the following officers were elected to serve the town for the ensuing year: Selectmen, Warren Jewett, Joseph H. Avery, and Charles A. Jones; town clerk, Harry L. Avery; constables, H.W. Downs, Hartley Nutter; school board, Frank G. Howe, Forrest L. Marsh, Dr. M.A.H. Hart (Farmington News, March 12, 1904).

Hazen W. Downs appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as a truckman, with his house at 7 Silver street.

MILTON. At the town meeting last Tuesday, Charles A. Jones, Haven Nutter and Samuel Drew were chosen for selectmen. Dr. M.A.H. Hart was re-elected on the school board for the next three years. Everett F. Fox town treasurer. H.L. Avery and B.B. Plummer town auditors, H.W. Downs constable, J.H. Rhines chief of police (Farmington News, March 12, 1909).

Westley Downs, an odd jobs truckman, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his housekeeper, Martha G. Cushman, a private family housekeeper, aged fifty-two years (b. VT). Westley Downs owned their house, free-and-clear.

Hazen W. Downs married (2nd) in Athol, MA, August 13, 1910, Martha G. (Granger) Cushman, both of Milton, NH. He was a truckman, aged sixty-two years, and she was a housekeeper, aged fifty-three years. She was born in Fairlee, VT, August 8, 1857, daughter of Samuel L. and Hannah G. (Pierce) Granger.

Hazen W. Downs appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a truckman, with his house at 7 Silver street.

Hazen W. Downs died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Milton, November 10, 1916, aged sixty-eight years, nine months, and sixteen days. (M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate)

.Mrs. Hazen W. Downs appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as a widow, with her house at 7 Silver street.

Martha G. Downs, a widow, aged sixty-two years (b. VT), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. She owned her two-family house on Silver Street, free-and-clear. The other owner was Mary J. Twombly, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH).

Martha Downs appeared in the Brattleboro, VT, directories of 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1937, as the widow of Hazen W. Downs, with her house at 403 Western avenue.

West Brattleboro. Mrs. Effie Boynton is working as housekeeper in the home of Mrs. Martha Downs (Brattleboro Reformer, June 21, 1938).

Martha Granger Downs died on Sunset Lake Road in West Brattleboro, VT, September 28, 1938, aged eighty-one years, one month, and twenty-one days.

MRS. WESLEY DOWNS DIES. West Brattleboro Resident 9 Years, Leaves 3 Step-Sons. Mrs. Martha (Granger) Downs, 81, widow of Wesley Downs, died at 3.15 o’clock yesterday afternoon in the home of her step-grandson, Russell Cushman of the Sunset Lake road. She had been there since early in August. Last year she spent most of the time there. Her health had been gradually failing for some time. Mrs. Downs made her home for several years in the Joel Johnson house in West Brattleboro. Born in Fairlee, Aug. 8, 1857, she was a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Pierce) Granger. She first married Peleg Cushman, of Orford, N.H., the ceremony taking place in 1892. He died about a month after their marriage. Her marriage to Wesley Downs of Milton, N.H., took place about 20 years ago. After Mr. Downs’ death Mrs. Downs moved to Rochester, N.H., coming to West Brattleboro about nine years ago. She leaves three step-sons, William, George and Henry Cushman, all of Brattleboro, and a step-daughter, Mrs. Mary Pinkham of Dover, N.H. She also leaves one brother, Charles A. Granger of West Newton, Mass. Funeral services will be held at Mitchells funeral home tomorrow at 2.30 p.m., Rev. J.H. Blackburn officiating. Burial will take place in Prospect Hill cemetery, Lebanon, Me. (Brattleboro Reformer, September 30, 1938).

Hiram J. Burrows – 1902-12

Hiram J. Burrows was born in Lebanon, ME, circa 1855, son of Edward and Mary A. (Ricker) Burrows.

Eliza Jones, Lucy Goodwin, John S. Parker, guardian of Lucy Goodwin; Ruth Lucy Goodwin, Simon Ricker, Jr., Lavinia A. Burrows, Mary Frances Burrows, Ruth Burrows, and Hiram J. Burrows, residing at North Lebanon, ME, joined with many other heirs of Benjamin Lord, deceased, in petitioning the trustees of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge for title to Brooklyn real estate held by Augustus Cruikshank, trustee (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 2, 1883).

Hiram J. Burrows married in Milton, June 29, 1884, Sarah E. Thomas, he of Milton and she of Newfield, ME. She was born in Newfield, ME, in 1862, daughter of Elbridge G. and Lydia E. (Lane) Thomas.

LEBANON, ME. Mr. L.H. Buttler has sold his farm and blacksmith shop to Hiram Burrows of Milton Mills. Mr. Butler and his son Clarence intend soon to start for the far west. We wish them success (Farmington News, September 25, 1885).

Hiram J. Burrows, a blacksmith, aged forty-five years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifteen years), Sarah E. Burrows, aged thirty-seven years (b. ME), and his children, John Burrows, at school, aged thirteen years (b. ME), and Eva Burrows, at school, aged nine years (b. NH). Hiram J. Burrows rented their house. Sarah E. Burrows was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.

Hiram J. Burrows appeared in the Milton directories of 1902, and 1905, as a policeman and blacksmith, on Main street, with his house on Highland street, in Milton Mills. (His house on Highland street was opposite the M.E. Church in 1905).

Hiram J. Burrows appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as a policeman and blacksmith, on Main street, with his house on the Acton side, in Milton Mills.

Geo. W. Marsh, an express teamster, aged thirty years (b. ME), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of two years), Eva M. Marsh, aged nineteen years (b. ME), and his child, Ithel E. Marsh, aged thirteen months (b. NH), his father-in-law, Hiram J. Burrows, a blacksmith (working out), aged fifty-six years (b. NH), and his mother-in-law (Hiram’s wife of twenty-six years), Sarah E. Burrows, a shoe shop stitcher, aged forty-seven years (b. NH). Geo. W. Marsh rented their house. Eva M. Marsh was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Sarah E. Burrows was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.

Hiram J. Burrows appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a policeman and blacksmith, on Main street, with his house on the Acton side, in Milton Mills.

Hiram J. Burrows appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as a blacksmith, with his house at 20 Lebanon street, on the Acton side, in Milton Mills.

Hiram J. Burrows, a blacksmith (own shop), aged sixty-four years (b. ME), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah E. Burrows, aged fifty-six years (b. ME). Hiram J. Burrows rented their house on the Lebanon Road.

A major Milton Mills fire started in a blacksmith shop on Main st. owned by John E. Horn and occupied by Hiram Burrows in the early hours of Thursday, November 20, 1924. (See Milton in the News – 1924).

Hiram J. Burrows, a blacksmith (repair shop), aged seventy-five years (b. ME), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah E. Burrows, aged sixty-eight years (b. ME). Hiram J. Burrows owned their house, which was valued at $1,000. They did not have a radio set.

Hiram J. Burrows died in 1938. Sarah E. (Thomas) Burrows died in 1955.

Hartley A. Nutter – 1904

Hartley Addis Nutter was born in Milton, January 24, 1874, son of Luman S. “Sidney” and Arabelle “Belle” (Corson) Nutter.

Hartley A. Nutter married in Milton, July 20, 1893, Ada M. Huntress, both of Milton. He was a laborer, aged nineteen years, and she was a housekeeper, aged eighteen years. Charles H. Looney, justice-of-the-peace performed the ceremony. She was born in Wakefield, NH, March 17, 1875, daughter of Stillman S. and Francina (Lowe) Huntress.

Hartley A. Nutter appeared in the Milton directory of 1902, as an employee of the U.I. [Union Ice] Co., with his house near the ice house on the Leb. side.

MILTON. Town meeting passed off quietly, and the following officers were elected to serve the town for the ensuing year: Selectmen, Warren Jewett, Joseph H. Avery, and Charles A. Jones; town clerk, Harry L. Avery; constables, H.W. Downs, Hartley Nutter; school board, Frank G. Howe, Forrest L. Marsh, Dr. M.A.H. Hart (Farmington News, March 12, 1904).

Hartley A. Nutter appeared in the Milton directories of 1905 and 1909, as an employee of the U.I. [Union Ice] Co., with his house at 98 Main street.

Hartley Nutter, an ice house engineer, aged thirty-six 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 sixteen years), Ada Nutter, aged thirty-five years (b. ME), and his children, Addis Nutter, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Malcom Nutter, aged ten years (b. NH), and Francine Nutter, aged eight years (b. NH). Hartley Nutter owned their house, free-and-clear. Ada Nutter was the mother of three children, of whom three were still living.

Hartley A. Nutter appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as an employee of the U.I. [Union Ice] Co., with his house at 98 Main street.

Hartley A. Nutter appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as an employee of the M.I. [Porter-Milton Ice] Co., with his house at 98 Main street. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Addis S. Nutter, widow, had her house at H.A.N.’s, i.e., with he and his wife, at 98 Main street.

Hartley Addis Nutter registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 12, 1918. He resided in Milton, and was aged forty-four years (b. January 24, 1874). He was employed by Porter-Milton Ice Co., as a laborer. His nearest relative was his wife, Addie M. Nutter, of Milton. He was of a medium height, with a medium build, gray eyes, and gray hair.

Hartley A. Nutter, a foreman at the Milton Ice Co., aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ada H. Nutter, aged forty-four years (b. ME), his daughter, Francena I. Warnecke, aged seventeen years (b. NH), his son-in-law, William H. Warnecke, a laborer at the Milton Ice Co., aged thirty-four years (b. Germany), and his grandchildren, Thelma A. Warnecke, aged three years (b. NH), and Wilma F. Warnecke, aged one year (b. NH). Hartley A. Nutter owned their house on Upper Main Street in Milton Village, free-and-clear. Son-in-law William H. Warnecke was a permantent alien, having immigrated into the U.S. in 1909.

Hartley A. Nutter, an ice company laborer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), aged fifty-five years (b. ME), Ada H. Nutter, and his nephew, Alvin B. Roberts, a leather-board mill machinist, aged thirty-four years (b. NH). Hartley A. Nutter owned their multi-family house on No. Main Street, which was valued at $1,200. They had a radio set. They shared their building with the household of tenant [and son-in-law] William Warnecke, an ice company laborer, aged forty-nine years (b. Germany).

Hartley A. Nutter died of aortic stenosis on Main Street in Milton, December 31, 1933, aged fifty-nine years, eleven months, and seven days.

Ada H. Nutter, a boarders’ hostess, aged sixty-five years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her grandchildren, Malcom H. Nutter, a laborer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Donald S. Warnecke, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and her boarders, Earvin Proctor, aged seventy-seven years (b. MA), and Arnold Nash, a wood factory laborer, aged eighteen years (b. Nova Scotia). Ada H. Nutter owned their house in the Milton Community, which was valued at $1,200. They had all resided in the same house in 1935, with the exception of Arnold Nash, who had resided elsewhere in the same place, i.e., Milton.

Ada May (Huntress) Nutter died in 1966.

Mylo M. Sinclair – 1907

Mylo Martin Sinclair was born in Stow, ME, July 13, 1879, son of George H. and Susie G. (Johnson) Sinclair.

Milo M. Sinclair married in Milton, June 16, 1900, Minnie F. [(Johnson)] Ellis, he of Dover, NH, and she of Milton. Rev. E. Johnson of Lebanon, ME, performed the ceremony. He was a shoemaker, aged twenty-one years, and she was a widowed shoe stitcher, aged thirty-two years. She was born in Milton, November 1867, daughter of James W. and Julia A. (Hatch) Johnson.

Mylo Sinclair, a shoe laster, aged twenty years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Miton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of zero years [two weeks]), Minnie Sinclair, aged thirty-two years (b. NH). Mylo Sinclair rented their house.

Miles M. Sinclair appeared in the Milton directory of 1902, as an employee of a leather-board manufacturer, with his house at 16 So. Main street. Mrs. Susie G. (George) Sinclair had also her house at 16 So. Main street.

WEST MILTON. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnson and their little daughter are spending his vacation from railroad work in this vicinity, visiting his aunt and sister, Mrs. George Canney and Mrs. Minnie Sinclair (Farmington News, November 22, 1901).

Milo M. Sinclair appeared in the Milton directory of 1905, as an engineer for N.B.T. & Co. [N.B. Thayer & Co.], with his house at So. Main street, at the R.R. Crossing.

Mylo N. [M.] Sinclair, police officer, Milton, testified before the NH Board of Railroad Commissioners, December 13, 1907, regarding the accidental death of Lyman Welch of Wolfeboro, NH, which occurred on the railroad tracks a mile south of the Milton railroad station, September 26, 1907 (NH Board of Railroad Commissioners, 1907).

Milo M. Sinclair appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as an engineer for N.B.T. [N.B. Thayer] Co., with his house on South Main street, at the R.R. crossing. His mother, Mrs. Susie G. Sinclair, had her house at the same address.

Mylo Sinclair, a shoe shop engineer, aged thirty years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Minnie Sinclair, aged forty-two years (b. NH), his child, Arline Sinclair, aged nine years (b. NH), and his father-in-law, Woodbury Johnson, aged seventy-two years (b. NH). Mylo Sinclair owned their house, free-and-clear. Miriam Sinclair was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.

WEST MILTON. H.D. Johnson, who was stricken with ptomaine poisoning while on his run from North Conway to Boston Friday morning, was taken from his train at Milton and conveyed to the home of his sister, Mrs. Mylo Sinclair, where he received immediate medical attention. He is so far improved that he made a trip to Boston on Tuesday, returning to the home of his aunt, Mrs. George Canney, where he will spend the remainder of the week (Farmington News, [Friday,] February 3, 1911).

Milo M. Sinclair appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a shoe operative for M.S. [Milton Shoe] Co., with his house on South Main street, at the R.R. crossing. His mother, Mrs. Susie G. Sinclair, had her house at the same address.

Martin Sinclair registered for the WW I military draft in Rochester, NH, September 12, 1918. He resided at 6 Union Street in East Rochester, NH, and was aged thirty-nine years (b. July 13, 1879). He was employed by N.B. Thayer & Co., as a shoemaker. His nearest relative was his wife, Minnie F. Sinclair, of 6 Union Street, E. Rochester, NH. He stood 6′ 1″ tall, and had a medium build, brown eyes, and brown hair.

Mylo M Sinclair, a shoe factory rapid stitcher, aged forty years (b. ME), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Minnie F. Sinclair, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and his father-in-law, James W. Thompson, aged eighty-three years (b. NH). Mylo M. Sinclair owned their house at 6 Union Street, with a mortgage.

WEST MILTON. Mrs. Minnie Sinclair and her daughter, Mrs. Arline Symonds, with her little grandson, called at Teneriffe View farm a few days ago (Farmington News, September 26, 1924).

WEST MILTON. Mrs. Minnie Sinclair of East Rochester called on friends here Monday (Farmington News, September 24, 1926).

Mylo M. Sinclair, a shoe factory engineer, aged fifty years (b. ME), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Minnie J. Sinclair, aged sixty-two years (b. NH). Mylo M. Sinclair owned their house on the Salmon Falls Road. They had a radio set.

Its a Dizzy Pace! (Country correspondence in the Rochester, N.H., Courier). Mr. and Mrs. Mylo Sinclair are enjoying a new radio (Boston Globe, March 30, 1940).

Mylo Sinclair, aged sixty years (b. ME), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Minnie Sinclair, aged seventy-two years (b. NH).

SOUTH VERNON. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Simonds and Mr. and Mrs. Milo Sinclair were week-end guests of Rev. and Mrs. H.R. Simonds. They were returning from Florida to their home in East Rochester, N.H. (Brattleboro Reformer (Brattleboro, VT), April 21, 1950).

Mylo M. Sinclair died in March 1956. Minnie Sinclair died in March 1956.

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To be continued …

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References:

Find a Grave. (2013, July 31). Hiram Burrows. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114726369/hiram-burrows

Find a Grave. (2002, August 22). Fred Howard. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/6722810/fred-howard

Find a Grave. (2014, January 8). James Harris Rines, Jr. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/123011041/james-harris-rines

Find a Grave. (2012, July 2). Mylo M. Sinclair. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/92968497/mylo-m-sinclair

NH Board of Railroad Commissioners. (1907). Annual Report of the Railroad Commissioners of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=hmk0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA372