By Murel Bristol | December 26, 2021
James Herbert Willey was born in Rollinsford, NH, May 27, 1875, son of James P. and Frances P. (Davis) Willey.
J. HERBERT WILLEY, postmaster at Milton, N.H., and proprietor of a drug store, was born at Salmon Falls, N.H., May 27, 1875, and is a son of James P. and Frances P. (Davis) Willey, and a grandson of A.C. Willey, of English and Scotch ancestry on the paternal side, and of John B. Davis on the maternal side. James P. Willey was born at Wakefield, N.H. (Scales, 1914).
James P. Willey, works in cotton mill, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Rollinsford, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Frances F. Willey, keeping house, aged twenty-seven years (b. ME), his son, James H. Willey, at school, aged five years (b. NH), and his boarders, Jane D. McFarland, works in cotton mill, aged forty-eight years (b. ME), Emmer Coolidge, works in cotton mill, aged forty-five years (b. ME), and Vietta Bowin, works in cotton mill, aged twenty years (b. ME).
J. Herbert Willey was reared at Salmon Falls, where he attended school and also at the South Berwick Academy. He was graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy at Boston, after which he came to Milton to go into business (Scales, 1914).
James Herbert Willey was one of twenty-four graduates of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy’s Class of 1898.
TWENTY-FOUR GRADUATES. Commencement Exercises of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. The 13th annual commencement exercises of the Massachusetts college of pharmacy took place yesterday in Pharmacy hall, corner of St Botolph and Garrison sts. Mr. Fred Strong Chapman of the graduating class presided at the exercises, and music was furnished by the Boston cadet band. Kilburn Charles Brown delivered the salutatory. A poem by Marion Cowan followed, and the address for the faculty was delivered by Robert W. Greenleaf, M.D. The class history, replete with telling hits concerning the various members of the graduating class, was given by Anthony Charles Rogers, and the oration was delivered by Horace Charles Twigg. Charles Henry Wentworth ventured on the class prophecy, and the valedictory was by Charles Henry Howard, A.B. At 1 o’clock luncheon was served. The company, including relatives and friends of the students, numbered about 300. A most enjoyable time was had. The graduation exercises proper commenced at 2.30. Pres. Linus D. Drury presided and conferred the degrees. Rev. James de Normandie delivered the graduation address. The calling of the roll by the secretary, William D. Wheeler, followed, and then the degrees were conferred by the president. The names of the graduates are: Adrian Francis Barnes, Arthur Leslie Beal, Frederick Ellsworth Bigelow, Kilburn Charles Brown, Elisha Leland Buffington, Henrietta Burden, Fred Strong Chapman, Marion Cowan, Henry Rice Dennett, Charles Walter Day, Clarence Belknap Emery, Charles Henry Howard, A.B., Frank Herbert Knight, A.B., John Thomas Loftus, Richard August Morgner, Edwin Vose Noble, Henry Hazelwood Parkis, Anthony Charles Rogers, Virgil Asa Rowe, Frank Joseph Shattuck, Michael Anthony Tobin, Horace Charles Twigg, Charles Henry Wentworth, James Herbert Willey. Henrietta Burden, Marion Cowan and Edwin Vose Noble have taken elective courses in addition to the requirements for graduation (Boston Globe, May 13, 1898).
The Milton druggists of 1898 were C.D. Jones and F.E. Fernald. Fernald was not himself a registered pharmacist, although he had hired one. He seems to have given up his shop in or after 1898. (See The Preacher and the Druggist – 1897).
Henry T. Hayes (1860-1924) was the successor to Frank E. Fernald. He appeared in the Rochester, NH, directory of 1900, as a druggist in Milton, N.H., with his house at 10 Glen street in Rochester. He appeared also in the Milton directory of 1900 as a druggist on Main street, at its corner with Silver street, with his house in Rochester, NH.
James H. Willey appeared in the Rollinsford, NH, directory of 1900, as a drug clerk in Boston, MA. His father, James P. Willey appeared as foreman of the machine shop at the S.F. [Salmon Falls] Mfg. Co., with his house on South street.
MILTON. Henry T. Hayes has sold his drug business to Bert Willey and moved back to Rochester (Farmington News, May 18, 1900).
He bought the drug store of Henry Hayes, renewed his stock and made the improvements which have converted this into one of the most modern drug stores in the state (Scales, 1914).
[Charles] W. Evans, a counter-maker (shoes), aged thirty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eight years), Alice M. [(Tibbetts)] Evans, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), his children, Robert C. Evans, at school, aged seven years (b. NH), and Sumner S. Evans, at school, aged six years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Abby [(Ellis)] Tibbets, a day laborer widow, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), his brother-in-law, Charles Tibbets, a day laborer (b. NH), aged twenty-four years, and his lodger, J. Herbert Willey, a druggist, aged twenty-five years (b. NH). Alice M. Evans was the mother of three children, of whom two were still living; her mother, Abby Tibbets, was the mother of eight children, of whom six were still living.
J.H. Willey appeared in the Milton business directories of 1901, 1904, 1905-06, and 1909, as a Milton druggist (or apothecary). He had “rooms do.,” i.e., he kept an apartment upstairs from the store, in 1902, 1905-06, 1909, 1912 and 1917. (His drug store was situated quite close – apparently next door – to the general store of his paternal uncle, Joseph D. Willey (1854-1931), who was said to be on Main street, near Silver street).
LOCAL. Columbian Chapter of Free Masons welcomed guests from neighboring towns, in the meeting on Monday evening, among whom were the Hon. J. Frank Farnham and William Lord of Union; Percy S. Jones and C.H. McDuffee of Alton; B.B. Plumer and Hazen Plumer, J.D. Willey and Mr. Willey the druggist, of Milton (Farmington News, June 14, 1901).
Mr. Willey is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Knight Templar. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church and is a member of Christ church at Salmon Falls, N.H. (Scales, 1914).
J. Herbert Willey was also an agent for graphophones. Graphophones were an alternate brand or type of phonograph player, competitive with Edison’s phonograph. One assumes that Willey sold the latest graphophone cylinders or records too. (Al Jolson’s You Made Me Love You topped the charts in September 1913).
J.H. Willey, Ph. G., druggist, Milton, appeared in a list of seventy-five NH bacteriological testing supply stations in 1902. W.G. Evans, druggist, appeared so in neighboring Farmington, NH; R. Dewitt Burnham, druggist, appeared for neighboring Rochester, NH; and there were none in neighboring Middleton, NH, nor Wakefield, NH.
PLACES WHERE BACTERIOLOGICAL OUTFITS MAY BE FOUND. For the convenience of the physician who desires an outfit in the shortest possible time, we have established stations where these supplies may be found in different sections of the state. We have, in most instances, chosen drugstores suggested by physicians themselves, although when more places were named in a given locality than we deemed necessary we have selected one or more, and the physicians in the vicinity have been notified. In some towns where no drugstore exists these supplies have been placed with some physician. The profession have found this arrangement of great convenience and very satisfactory. Supplies are, however, mailed directly from the laboratory to the physician when so requested; but we prefer, for our own convenience, that they be obtained from the station in the physician’s immediate vicinity. Below is a list of stations: (NH State Board of Health, 1902).
The outfits supplied at the above stations are those used in bacteriological work in connection with tuberculosis, diphtheria, typhoid fever, and malaria. Containers for the collection of samples of water for chemical analysis must be obtained directly from the laboratory at Concord. We wish again to notify the public that it is useless to send samples of water collected in any but the bottles sent out from the laboratory, which in all instances are forwarded by express free of expense. Water sent in old bottles, jugs, or any other convenient receptacle will not be analyzed at the laboratory (NH State Board of Health, 1902).
Milton was initially a “No License” town under the New Hampshire’s “Local Option” liquor law of 1903. James Herbert Willey had a Class 5 state license at Main & Silver streets in 1903, 1905-06, and 1906-07. Such a license would permit sales by a druggist for select purposes (NH License Commissioners, 1904, 1906). (See Milton Under “Local Option” – 1903-18).
ANNUAL MASQUE BALL. Entertainment Given at Milton, N.H., by Dramatic Club of That Place. MILTON, N.H., Jan 8. The Milton dramatic club gave its second annual masked ball at A.O.U.W. hall tonight. There were 92 couples in the march, which was led by Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Hartford. The ball officers were Fred S. Hartford. chief marshal; Samuel E. Drew, Frank S. Norton, aids; George A. Gilmore, George W. Paey, Samuel Swett, assistants. Among those present were: Mr. John Hartigan, Mr. Charles Parker, Mr. Herbert Finnegan, Mr. W. Wentworth, Mr. & Mrs. E. Looney, Mr. Herbert Willey, Mr. Harry Page, Mr. William Elliott, Mr. Frank Burke, Mr. Fred Downs, Miss Alice Brock, Miss Annie Marcoux, Miss Annie Young, Miss Clara Hurd, Miss M. O’Loughlin, Miss Florence Dore, Mr. Frank Cassidy, Mr. Ernest Leighton, Miss Mary Varney, Miss Grace Pike, Miss Grace Stone; Mrs. Piercy, Mr. & Mrs. C. Wingate, Mr. & Mrs. J. O’Loughlin, Mr. Frank Jones, Mr. Philip Irish, Mr. Walter Randall, Mr. James Howard, Mr. William Dore, Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Hayes, Mr. Scott Randall, Miss Effie Howard, Mr. & Mrs. J. Marcoux, Miss Blanche Tufts, Mr. Charles Drew, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Page, Mr. Herbert Dow, Mr. Fred Emery, Mrs. John Daniels, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Home, Miss Lizzie Stead, Miss Blanch Dore (Boston Globe, January 4, 1904).
J. Herbert Willey’s parents, James P. and Frances P. (Davis) Willey, moved from Rollinsford, NH, to join him in Milton, circa 1906. James P. Willey appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as retired, with his house at 7 Church street, Prospect Hill, Milton.
James P. Willey, an odd jobs machinist, aged fifty-eight 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-five years), Frances P. [(Davis)] Willey, aged fifty-five years (b. ME), and his son, J. Herbert Willey, a drug store pharmacist, aged thirty-four years (b. NH). James P. Willey owned their house, free-and-clear. Frances P. Willey was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living, i.e., J. Herbert Willey. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Asenath Wentworth, a widow, aged sixty-two years (b. NH) [at 11 Church street], and Brackett F. Avery, a general farm farmer, aged thirty-one years (b. NH) [at 21 S. Main street].
James Herbert Willey had a Class 5 state liquor license for his store at Main & Silver streets in 1911-12, and 1912-13. Such a license would permit sales by a druggist for select purposes (NH License Commissioners, 1912, 1914). (See Milton Under “Local Option” – 1903-18).
J.H. Willey appeared in the Milton business directories of 1912, and 1917, as a Milton druggist (or apothecary). He kept his drug store at 2 Main street in Milton, at the corner of Silver street.
As one may see in his 1912 advertisement, his stock included drugs, chemicals, toilet articles, perfume, candy, fine cigars, and graphophones. Not mentioned were postcards: he published some of the old Milton postcards that you may see around. (And medicinal liquor).
PERSONAL ITEMS. J.H. Willey of Milton, N.H., was here on Thursday calling on friends (Portsmouth Herald, December 27, 1912).
Here a regional sales directory identifies liquor licenses granted to Milton residents in 1913.
New Hampshire Licenses [Liquor Licenses]. MILTON, N.H. Emerson, Eugene W., Main St., P.O. Milton Mills, 5th. Willey, James Herbert, Main & Silver Sts., 5th (Denehy, 1913).
Jas. H. Willey replaced Joseph H. Avery as Milton postmaster, July 26, 1913. Postmaster appointments were political plums. Avery, having received his appointment under Theodore Roosevelt, was likely a Republican, while Willey, having received his appointment under Woodrow Wilson, was likely a Democrat. At any rate, Willey was postmaster until March 1922, i.e., until the presidency of Republican Warren G. Harding. (In the Milton section of the Dover directory of 1917: Milton Post Office, J. Herbert Willey, postmaster, 10 Main, near Silver).
In politics he is a loyal Democrat and on August 13, 1913, he was appointed postmaster to succeed Joseph H. Avery. Milton is a thriving village and is constantly growing so that there is considerable business done here and its volume is reflected in the postoffice. Mr. Willey has H.D. Coles as his assistant (Scales, 1914).
Henry D. Coles (1857-1930) had been also Milton’s assistant postmaster under Republican Joseph H. Avery.
J.H. Willey joined with other Milton merchants, Carl E. Pinkham and Fred B. Roberts, in organizing the Milton Factory Company, August 5, 1913. One might suppose that they intended to purchase a Milton factory.
Milton Factory Company – Principal place of business, Milton; incorporated, August 5, 1913; capital authorized, $5,000; par value, $50; capital issued, $4,950; debts due from corporation, $31.25; assets, debts due corporation, $173.97; description of assets, factory; treasurer, Carl E. Pinkham; directors signing return, Carl E. Pinkham, J.H. Willey, Fred B. Roberts (NH General Court, 1915).
J.H. Willey had become a Rexall vendor or franchisee by 1917. (The Dollar General chain announced in March 2010 that it would sell Rexall-brand medications in its stores).
J.H. Willey succeeded himself as postmaster of Milton in 1917, i.e., he received a renewal under a variant of his name.
NEW HAMPSHIRE. James H. Willey to be postmaster at Milton, N.H., in place of J.H. Willey. Incumbent’s commission expired July 26, 1917 (US Congress, 1918).
A courtship might just be glimpsed between the lines of the Colby College catalog of 1920. Grace C. Willey née Fletcher was listed there as an alumna of the Class of 1917. (Colby College is situated in Waterville, ME).
GRACE CONSTANCE FLETCHER (Mrs. J.H. Willey, A.B. Born, Cape Neddick, Me. Teacher, Milton, N.H., 1917-18; Prin. High Sch., Jefferson, N.H., 1918. Res, Milton, N.H. (Colby College, 1920).
Grace C. Fletcher had appeared in the Waterville, ME, directory of 1915, as a student, boarding at her father’s house at 167 College avenue. (Her father, a minister (and missionary), kept then a grocery store in neighboring Fairfield, ME, but lived in Waterville). Grace graduated from Colby College in 1917. She took a teaching job in Milton for the 1917-18 academic year, likely at the Nute High School. She did not appear in the Milton directory of that year (whose data had been compiled prior to her arrival), but she would have boarded near the school.
In Milton she evidently met J. Herbert Willey, either at his store or at some church or social function. (If not exactly a May-December romance, it would have been at least a May-September one). At the conclusion of Nute’s academic year, she accepted a position some 110 miles away as principal of the high school at Jefferson, NH. Somehow, despite the distance between them, they filed marriage intentions in Waterville, ME, only four months later, December 28, 1918.
James Herbert Willey married in Waterville, ME, January 4, 1919, Grace Constance Fletcher, he of Milton and she of Waterville, ME. He was a druggist, aged forty-three years, and she was a teacher, aged twenty-two years. Her father, Rev. William Fletcher, performed the ceremony. She was born in Cape Neddick, ME, April 19, 1896, daughter of Rev. William and Winifred E. (Roundy) Fletcher.
The NH Agricultural Experiment Station examined seeds sold by J.H. Willey of Milton at his store in 1919. His Millet seeds received a “Satisfactory” purity rating (94%) and had a “Satisfactory” (80%) germination rate; his Red Clover seeds received a “Satisfactory” purity rating (96%) and had a “Below” (91%) germination rate; and his Timothy seeds received an “Above” purity rating (99%) and had a “Satisfactory” (98%) germination rate (NHAES, 1919).
James Herbert Willey, a druggist, 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 in Milton Village. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Bessie M. Corson, a farmer, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and [his paternal uncle,] Joseph D. Willey, a retail merchant (groceries), aged sixty-six years (b. NH).
His father, James P. Willey, a retired mechanic, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Frances P. Willey, aged sixty-four years (b. ME). James P. Willey owned their house on Church Street (now Steeple Street), near its intersection with Farmington Road (now Elm Street), free-and-clear.
Son Herbert F. Willey was born in Milton, August 9, 1920. (His father was a druggist).
J.H. Willey appeared in the Milton business directories of 1922, 1927, and 1930, as a Milton druggist (or apothecary). Samuel G. Blaisdell succeeded him as Milton postmaster, March 16, 1922.
Daughter Frances E. Willey was born in Rochester, NH, September 9, 1925. (Her father was a druggist).
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), Frances E. Willey, aged four years (b. NH), and his parents, James P. Willey, retired, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH), 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. They had a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph D. Willey, a retail merchant (general store), aged sixty-six years (b. NH), and Leon Willey, an odd jobs laborer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH).
Father James P. Willey of Milton died of acute uremia at the Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH, December 25, 1932, aged eighty years, ten months, and eleven days. Walter J. Roberts, M.D., signed the death certificate.
IN MEMORIAM. James P. Willey. It is with sincere regret that the “News” reports the death of James P. Willey of Milton, which occurred at the Frisbie Memorial hospital in Rochester following an operation last week. He was one of the most representative men of the town and a twin brother of the late merchant prince, Joseph H. [Joseph D.] Willey, famed in ten counties for bis keen business acumen. They were alike as two peas in a pod, genial, kindly, charitable, withal astute to every business opportunity. James Willey was a native of Wakefield, the son of Aziah and Martha (Dearborn) Willey, and had been a resident of Milton for 27 years, having moved there from Rollinsford, where he had been a director of the Rollinsford Savings bank. His death occurred at the age of 81 years, and until recently he retained his virile energy and a remarkable degree of activity. He was a prominent Mason and member of Fraternal Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and Columbian Chapter, R.A.M., of Farmington. He is survived by his wife, a son, J. Herbert Willey, a druggist of Milton, and two brothers, William H. Willey of Wakefield and Aziah C. Willey of Portsmouth. Burial was in Milton (Farmington News, January 6, 1933).
Mother Frances P. (Davis) Willey died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Main Street in Milton, June 15, 1936, aged eighty-three years, nine months, and three days. She had resided in Milton for thirty years, i.e., since circa 1906 (having previously resided in Salmon Falls, Rollinsford, NH).
Willey’s Drug Store (J. Herbert Willey) in Milton appeared in a NH Pharmaceutical Association list of non-member drug stores in 1939.
James H. Willey, a drug store druggist, 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. Both James H. and Grace F. Willey had four-year college degrees, and Herbert F. Willey had attended one year of college. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his cousin,] Joseph E. Willey, a hardware store storekeeper, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), and Leon Willey, a leatherboard mill machinist, aged forty-four years (b. NH).
LOCAL. Grace F. Willey of Milton, past worthy grand matron and past worthy matron of Fraternal Chapter, O.E.S., Mrs. L. Violet Jones, of this town, past grand marshal, Mrs. Norma M. Studley of Rochester, worthy grand matron, and Mrs. Ruth Coombs of Gorham, associate grand conductress, compose one group from New Hampshire which entrained last Friday to attend the General Grand Chapter session of the Order of the Eastern Star to be held in San Francisco. They will return the last of this month (Farmington News, September 13, 1940).
EASTERN STAR OFFICERS GIVEN COMPLIMENTARY DINNER PARTY. Mrs. Grace Willey of Milton, past worthy grand matron of the order of the Eastern Star, and Mrs. L. Violet Jones, past grand marshal, complimented the officers of Fraternal Chapter, No 24, O.E.S., with a formal dinner party at the Fernald Hackett London room, ia Rochester, Monday evening. The group included eighteen ladles who as assembled at seven o’clock in the dining room where a fascinating spectacle was presented by a beautifully arranged table. The centerpiece was a work of art, consisting of a huge orange bowl filled with bayberries, bittersweet and spruce banked about a single large orange candle. At each end of the table were copper candlesticks bearing orange candles which furnished subdued light over gleaming silver and crystal accessories. The place cards were dainty and the favors were glass ash trays, for the present filled with nuts, but when emptied disclosed the initial of the ladles for whom they were intended as mementos. Other personal favors were corsages of bayberries and bittersweet, tied with silver ribbon, and fashioned by the daughter of Mrs. Willey. The menu consisted of roast lamb, flanked with a tempting array of edibles which occupied the group for a long time, after which games, guessing contests and pleasant conversation completed a most delightful occasion (Farmington News, November 22, 1940).
Father-in-law William Fletcher died in 1940. Mother-in-law Winifred E. (Roundy) Fletcher died in Waterville, ME, March 8, 1942.
Son Herbert F. Willey married in Keene, NH, July 24, 1943, Winifred L. Pearce, he of Milton and she of Syracuse, NY. He was an ensign in the US Naval Reserve, aged twenty-two years, and she was a home economics teacher, aged twenty-three years. Rev. A. Norman Janes performed the ceremony.
WOMEN’S CLUB MEMBERS TO BE GUESTS AT FORT DEVENS, MASS. Seven women, chosen by the New England Council of State Federations of Women’s clubs, will spend Friday and Saturday at Fort Devens, Mass., as guests of the WAC detachment stationed there. The trip is a reward for their efforts in aiding the recruitment of women for the Women’s Army Corps during the past several months. While at Fort Devens the club women will be housed in the WAC barracks, stand reveille at 6.m., eat in “G.I.” mess halls, and get first-hand introduction to many jobs WACS are doing at the military post. Mrs. J. Herbert Willey of Milton, president of the New Hampshire State Federation and a member of Farmington Woman’s club, will be in attendance (Farmington News, September 8, 1944).
James H. Willey died in Rochester, NH, April 27, 1946, aged seventy years, eleven months.
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).
Mrs. Grace C. (Fletcher) Willey moved to Beverly, MA, after the death of her husband.
Society. Rippere-Willey. Mrs. J. Herbert Willey of Beverly, Mass., formerly of Milton, N.H., announces the engagement of her daughter, Frances Elizabeth, to John Burke Rippere, son of Rev. and Mrs. Robert H. Rippere, of Brooklyn and Lake Pleasant, N.Y. Miss Willey is a graduate of Colby College in Waterville, Me. Mr. Rippere is a graduate of Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute (Boston Globe, September 15, 1946).
Daughter Frances E. Willey married in Beverly, MA, March 1, 1947, John B. Rippere.
Society. Rippere-Willey. Miss Frances Elizabeth Willey, daughter of Mrs. J. Herbert Willey of 27 Princeton Ave., Beverly, Mass., formerly of Milton, N.H., and the late Mr. Willey, was married Saturday afternoon to John Burke Rippere of Pittsfield, Mass., son of the Rev. Robert H. Rippere and Mrs. Rippere of Brooklyn. The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride’s mother by the Rev. Leland L. Maxfield and a reception followed. Cecil A. Lockwood gave his niece in marriage. Mrs. H. Fletcher Willey, the bride’s sister-in-law, was matron of honor. Miss Elizabeth Kimball was bridesmaid and Lawrence Rippere, nephew of the bridegroom, was page. Oliver Rippere was best man for his brother (Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY), [Tuesday,] March 4, 1947).
Grace C. (Fletcher) Willey died in Hickory, NC, February 13, 1986, aged eighty-nine years.
Deaths and Funerals in North Carolina. 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 (Charlotte, NC), February 16, 1986).
See also Milton Mills Druggist Eugene W. Emerson (1856-1927) and The Preacher and the Druggist – 1897.
References:
Colby College. (1920). General Catalogue of Officers, Graduates and Former Students of Colby College. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=7Z5AAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA238
Engelhard, G.P., & Co. (1898, June). Western Druggist. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=JdHnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA275
Find a Grave. (2011, November 4). William Fletcher. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/79867787/william-fletcher
Find a Grave. (2013, November 28). Henry Thornton Hayes. Retrieved from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120933888/henry-thornton-hayes
Find a Grave. (2013, August 9). Grace Constance Fletcher Willey. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115184125/grace-constance-willey
Find a Grave. (2013, August 9). Herbert E. Willey. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115184176/herbert-e-willey
Find a Grave. (2013, August 12). James Pickering Willey. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115339848/james-pickering-willey
Find a Grave. (2015, June 2). Joseph Dearborn “Joe” Willey. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/147334212/joseph-dearborn-willey
NHAES. (1919). Station Bulletin – New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=89lJAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA22-PA14
NH State Board of Health. (1902). Report of the State Board of Health of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=kfGaD90ZETIC&pg=RA4-PA171
Scales, John. (1914). History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nGsjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA593
US Congress. (1918). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the Congress. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=qtNKM6k6MoAC&pg=PA957
Wikipedia. (2021, December 19). Colby College. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colby_College
Milton Observer 