By Muriel Bristol | October 16, 2022
Stephen Meserve Mathes was born in Milton, April 13, 1797, son of Robert and Polly (Meserve) Mathes.
Stephen M. Mathes was Milton town clerk in 1823-39. He was preceded in that office by Levi Jones, and he was succeeded by James M. Twombly.
Stephen M. Mathes married (1st) in Milton, August 24, 1823, Clarissa Watson, both of Milton. Rev. James Walker performed the ceremony. She was born in Rochester, NH, in 1802, daughter of Stephen and Mary “Polly” (Fogg) Watson. Clarissa (Watson) Mathes died in Milton, January 16, 1824.
Stephen M. Mathes married (2nd) in Milton, February 5, 1826, Theodosia Grant, he of Milton and she of Lebanon, ME. Rev. James Weston performed the ceremony. She was born in Lebanon, ME, August 5, 1797.
(The known children of Stephen M. and Theodosia (Grant) Mathes were: Mary E. Mathes (1826-1862), Sarah C.M. Mathes (1829-1829), Mandana T. Mathes (1833-1918), Stephen M. Mathes, Jr. (1836-1858)).
Hanson Hayes, John Kimball, and Ezekiel Wentworth recommended Milton Three Ponds trader Stephen M. Mathes for appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace in June 1826.
To His Excellency the Governor and Honorable Council of the State of New Hampshire convened at Concord, June A.D. 1826 ~
Humbly shews the subscribers, that at the Three Ponds, on the Salmon fall river in Milton in the County of Strafford, is situated a Village where a considerable business is done by water power, Merchandize, & c., that there is no acting Justice of the Peace near said place, that an appointment of some suitable person would be a great convenience to the inhabitants and public, we would Therefore recommend Stephen M. Mathes, (Trader,) of said Milton of known good talents, education and character to your Honor’s consideration.
H. Hayes, John Kimball, Ezekiel Wentworth
Stephen M. Mathes received his initial appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 1, 1826.
Justices of the Peace. Milton. Jotham Nute, D. Hayes, John Remich, jr., J. Roberts, Hanson Hayes, Stephen M. Mathes (Farmer & Lyon, 1826).
Daughter Mary Elizabeth Mathes was born in Milton, December 1, 1826.
Stephen M. Mathes and other Milton Masons were remembered in an article on the lengthy lodge membership of Josiah B. Edgerly (1801-1888) of Farmington, NH.
Fraternal Lodge, A.F. & A.M., at Farmington. There is probably no other Masonic lodge in New Hampshire that has grown up with the rapidity of Fraternal, No. 71, and perhaps but few, if any, of its members are aware that one of their number has been a Mason longer and attended more lodge meetings than any other Mason now living in the county of Strafford, if not in the State. That member is Josiah B. Edgerly, who was made a Mason in Humane Lodge, No. 21 at Rochester, in the year 1826, and though the distance was eight miles his interest in the order became such that he was a frequent attendant at the monthly meeting. There he would meet his brother Masons from Milton – Brothers Levi and Joshua Jones and the other Joneses, Dr. Stephen Drew, Theodore C. Lyman, Stephen M. Mathes, and many other brothers from that town, whose travel was about the same distance, and whose presence added very much to the interest of the meeting. … (Farmington News, March 26, 1886).
Daughter Sarah Cummings Merrill Mathes was born in Milton, August 25, 1829. She died the same day.
Justices of the Peace. Milton. Jotham Nute, D. Hayes, John Remich, J. Roberts, Hanson Hayes, Stephen M. Mathes, John Nutter, Thomas Chapman (Lyon, 1829).
Steph. M. Mathes headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Theodosia (Grant) Mathes], one female aged 20-29 years, and two females aged under-5 years. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Richd Gerrish and W.H. Brewster.
Milton sent Stephen M. Mathes to Concord, NH, as its NH state representative for the 1830-32 biennium. He served on the Public Lands Committee. As was then usual, the representatives lodged in Concord during the Spring and Fall sessions. Rep. Mathes lodged at J. George’s, as did other Strafford County representatives Jeremy B. Wingate of Alton, Luther Richardson of Burton, Stephen Danforth of Eaton, John Colley of Effingham, John Page of Gilmanton, J.R. Pilsbury of Middleton, John Perkins of Strafford, Jacob Burleigh of Tuftonborough, and Thos. J. Tibbetts of Wolfeborough, NH (NH General Court, 1829).
Stephen M. Mathes received a renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 21, 1831.
Justices of the Peace. Milton – Levi Jones, Daniel Hayes, John Remich, James Roberts, Hanson Hayes, Stephen M. Mathes, John Nutter, Theodore C. Lyman, Samuel S. Mason, Stephen Drew, Israel Nute, John L. Swinerton, Thomas Chapman (Hayward, 1834).
Daughter Mandana T. Mathes was born in Milton, October 29, 1833. (Queen Mandana was the mother of King Cyrus the Great of Persia). Son Stephen Meserve Mathes, Jr., was born in Milton, February 21, 1836.
Stephen M. Mathes received a renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 11, 1836.
Justices of the Peace. Milton – Levi Jones, Daniel Hayes, John Remick, JAMES ROBERTS, Hanson Hayes, Stephen M. Mathes, John Nutter, Theodore C. Lyman, Samuel S. Mason, Stephen Drew, John L. Swinerton, Thomas Chapman, Joseph Cook, John J. Plumer, Daniel Hayes, jr. (McFarland & Jenks, 1840).
Stephen M. Mathes received a renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 12, 1841. This appointment had an annotation that he was “gone,” i.e., he had left the district at some time prior to his next expected renewal in June 1846.
Stephen M. Mathes was among twenty-seven parishioners that purchased pews in the Rochester Congregational Church in August 1841.
Ezra Hayes, Jonathan T. Seavey, Widow Sarah McDuffee, Aaron Flagg, George W. Flagg, Benjamin Hayes, Widow Mehitable Young, one half share each; James Tebbitts, Benjamin Barker, Charles Henderson, Jonathan T. Dodge, John McDuffee, Jr., Lydia March, Stephen M. Mathes, John F. Folsom, Jacob Smart, N.V. Whitehouse, James Y. Hayes, Calvin Hale, Elizabeth Hale, Luther Hale, Alfred Hale, one share each; Samuel Stackpole, John Roberts, Jr., Francis V. Pike, Mrs. E. Hale, two shares each; and J.H. Woodman, three shares (McDuffee, 1892).
Theodosia (Grant) Mathes died in Lebanon, ME, September 9, 1842, aged forty-five years.
Stephen M. Mathes, locating in Rochester, engaged in a general mercantile business, and became one of the most prominent men of the place before his death, which occurred at the age of three-score years. He was a leading member of the lodge of Odd Fellows organized in that town (Biographical Review, 1897).
Rochester, NH, sent Stephen M. Mathes and Jacob Smart to Concord, NH, as its NH state representatives for the 1843-44 biennium (NH General Court, 1843).
Stephen M. Mathes married (3rd) in Milton, May 10, 1843, Lydia L. Watson. She was born in Milton, in 1812, daughter of Stephen and Mary “Polly” (Fogg) Watson (and sister of his deceased first wife Clara (Watson) Mathes). (The known child of Stephen M. and Lydia L. (Watson) Mathes was Clara L.W. Mathes (1848-1892)).
Stephen M. Mathes was moderator of the Rochester, NH, town meeting in 1844.
Stephen M. Mathes was a charter member of the Motolinia Lodge, No. 18, of the Odd Fellows, in Rochester, NH, when it was founded in March 1846.
Among benevolent organizations of modern origin, Odd fellowship is deservedly pre-eminent. March 16, 1846, Motolinia Lodge, No. 18, was instituted by Grand Master S.H. Parker, with Charles Dennett, Stephen M. Mathes, Jacob McDuffee, M.T. Curtis, and Edwin Bradbury as charter members. Asa P. Hanson, George B. Roberts, I.W. Springfield, and John Stott were initiated the same day, and Asa P. Hanson was the first Noble Grand. At the end of the first year there were 48 members, 39 residing in Rochester and 9 in Farmington. Woodbine Lodge of Farmington, and Miltonia Lodge of Milton both sprang from this Lodge, besides the other two Lodges in Rochester. The character of the membership and the management of this Lodge have secured to Oddfellowship a high standing in this vicinity (McDuffee, 1892).
Stephen M. Mathes received an appointment as a Rochester, NH, justice-of-the-peace, June 17, 1846.
Justices of the Peace. ROCHESTER – JAMES FARRINGTON – RICHARD RUSSELL, Noah Tebbets, Hatevil Knight, Jeremiah H. Woodman, Samuel Pray, Richard Kimball, Charles Dennett, Benjamin Hayes, John Hanson, Louis Mc Duffie, John Meder, George Hayes, Watson Hayes, Jonathan Hussey, William S. Ricker, Moses Roberts, jr., James Tebbets, jr., Stephen M. Mathes, Jacob Smart, Samuel Rogers, Joseph J. Leighton (Farmer & Lyon, 1844).
Daughter Clara L.W. Mathes was born in Rochester, NH, March 16, 1848.
Lydia L. (Watson) Mathes died circa 1848.
Stephen M. Mathes married (4th) in Rochester, NH, April 29, 1849, Louisa F. (Meserve) Davis. She was born in Milton, February 14, 1818, daughter of Hopley and Joanna (Twombly) Meserve. (Husband and wife were cousins, both being grandchildren of Stephen and Abigail (Yeaton) Meserve. She had been married before to David Davis, who died 1845-46.
(The known child of Stephen M. and Louisa F. ((Meserve) Davis) Mathes was: George F. Mathes (1856-1934)).
Daughter Mary E. Mathes married in Rochester, NH, December 23, 1849, Dr. John W. Pray, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. Silas Green performed the ceremony. Pray was born in Rochester, NH, in August 1814, son of Dr. Samuel and Frances B. (Farnham) Pray.
JOHN W. PRAY, son of Dr. Samuel Pray (p. 440), was born in Rochester, August 1814; studied medicine with his father; attended lectures at Dartmouth, and began practice at Barrington in 1840. In 1843 he returned to Rochester, where he was in partnership with his father for eleven years. He removed to Alexandria in 1861, but afterwards returned to East Rochester, where he died April, 1871. He married [Mary] Lizzie, daughter of Stephen Mathes, and had four children (McDuffee, 1892).
Stephen M. Mathes, a merchant, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Louisa [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), Mandana Mathes, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Stephen Mathes, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Clara W. Mathes, aged two years (b. NH), Caroline Davis, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Cynthia Davis, aged eleven years (b. NH), and John Davis, aged seven years (b. NH). Stephen M. Mathes had real estate valued at $3,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Eben J. Mathes, a merchant, aged forty years (b. NH), and Herbert Stevens, a marble cutter, aged twenty-six years (b. NH).
John W. Pray, a physician, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included [Mary] Elisabeth [(Mathes)] Pray, aged twenty-three years (b. NH). Their household was enumerated on the same page as John McDuffee, a banker, aged forty-six years (b. NH).
Stephen M. Mathes received a renewal of his appointment as a Rochester, NH, justice-of-the-peace, June 27, 1851. (This had an undated notation to the effect that he was “dead”).
Stephen M. Mathes’ shop goods sustained considerable damage in a large fire at Rochester. NH, in August 1851.
LARGE FIRE AT ROCHESTER, N.H. We learn by an extra from the office of the Great Falls Sketcher that a fire occurred in Rochester, N.H., on the 20th inst., which destroyed property to the amount of $15,000. It commenced in the stable of Jonathan T. Dodge, adjoining the Rochester Hotel, and destroyed the hotel, stable, and out-buildings, with their contents; the house occupied by Lorenzo D. Day, and some of his furniture; a shop occupied by Mr. Day as a marble manufactory; a blacksmith’s shop owned by Joseph Richardson, and occupied by Mr. Dicy; the barn and out-buildings, also a portion of the house of Benjamin Barker, Esq., and a horse and two carriages belonging to D.J. Parsons. The estimated losses are as follows; Mr. Dodge, $10,000, insured $3,000; Mr. Day, $700, no insurance; Mr. Barker, $2500, insured $1,800. Considerable damage was sustained by Messrs. Jones & Co., and S.M. Mathes & Co., in the removal of their stock of goods, but they were well insured. The fire was set by one Ezekiel Tebbets, about 19 years of age, who admitted his guilt, and has been lodged in Dover jail for trial (Boston Evening Transcript, August 22, 1851).
The original Rochester Bank of 1834 was sold when its twenty-year charter expired in 1854. A new Rochester Bank was chartered to replace it.
The new Rochester Bank was incorporated by an act approved June 30, 1853, and began business April 1, 1854, with a capital of $80,000. The directors were John McDuffee, Jr., Charles Dennett, James C. Cole, Dominicus Hanson, Stephen M. Mathes, Enoch Whitehouse, and Watson Hayes John McDuffee, Jr., was chosen president, and Franklin McDuffee, cashier; both of whom retained their offices through the existence of the bank (McDuffee, 1892).
Justices of the Peace. ROCHESTER – JAMES FARRINGTON – JEREMIAH H. WOODMAN, Stephen M. Mathes, Charles Dennett, Louis McDuffie, John Meader, Watson Hayes, Jonathan Hussey, Moses Roberts, James Tebbets, jr., Samuel Rogers, Daniel J. Parsons, James H. Edgerly, Sam’l Demeritt, Nicholas V. Whitehouse, Jeremiah M. Hackett, Daniel Lothrop, Wm. A. Kimball, Reuben Tilton, Jabez Dame, jr., John Nutter, Joseph Bunton, James Bodge, Samuel Meserve, Aaron P. Wingate (Claremont Manufacturing, 1854).
Stephen M. Mathes was moderator of the Rochester, NH, town meeting in 1855.
Son George F. Mathes was born in Rochester, NH, March 24, 1856.
George F. Mathes was but a year old when his father died. He received a practical education in the common schools. When about seventeen years old he began his term of service in the work with which he has since been identified (Biographical Review, 1897).
In the NH Executive Councilor’s race of November 1856, between Thomas Coggswell, Nicholas Whitehouse, and Eliphalet Locke, Stephen M. Mathes received a single vote, presumably a write-in one. Whitehouse won the District 2 seat with 7,016 votes.
Stephen M. Mathes was one of seven directors of the Rochester Bank, of Rochester, NH, in 1857.
ROCHESTER BANK. – Rochester. President, John McDuffie; Cashier, Franklin McDuffie; Directors, John McDuffie, Charles Dennett, James C. Cole, Stephen M. Mathes, Dominicus Hanson, Watson Hayes, Enoch Whitehouse (NH General Court, 1857).
Stephen M. Mathes died in Rochester, NH, May 13, 1857, aged sixty years.
In his will dated 21 May 1856 and proved in June 1857, Stephen M. Mathes named his wife Louisa F., to whom he left $1,000 and an undivided third of his homestead farm in Rochester, and four children: daughter Mandana T.C. (all the furniture of her mother Theodosia, deceased, half of the piano, and one-third of the farm), daughter Clara L.W. (all the furniture of her mother Lydia L., deceased, $1,000, half of the piano, and one third of the farm), son Stephen M. ($5), and son George Frederick ($1,000). Another daughter, Mary E. (Mathes) Pray joined the petition for administration of the estate, but was not named in the will. Also in June 1857, Mandana Mathes was appointed guardian of Clara L.W. Mathes, minor child under 14 of the late Stephen M. Mathes (Kruger, 1898).
Son Stephen M. Mathes, Jr., died in Milton, May 19, 1858, aged twenty-two years.
Louisia F. [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes, aged forty-two years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Farmington P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Her household included George F. Mathes, aged four years (b. NH). Louisia F. Mathes had real estate valued at $666 and personal estate valued at $500.
John W. Pray, a physician, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Farmington P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary E. [(Mathes)] Pray, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Fanny I. Pray, aged nine years (b. NH), Helen L. Pray, aged four years (b. NH), and John W. Pray, aged two years (b. NH). John W. Pray had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $150. They were enumerated on the same page as her paternal uncle, Ebenezer J. Mathes, aged fifty years (b. NH), and her stepmother, Louisia F. [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes, aged forty-two years (b. NH)
Mary Knight, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Farmington P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Her household included Caroline Knight, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), Mary Knight, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Henry Wardwell, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Mandana Mathes, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Clara Mathes, aged twelve years (b. NH), and Stephen D. Wentworth, a trader, aged twenty-four years (b. NH).
Daughter Mary E. (Mathes) Pray died in Rochester, NH, March 3, 1862, aged thirty-four years.
Son-in-law Dr. John W. Pray married (2nd), in 1866, Esther Ann Ladd. She was born in Bristol, NH, November 30, 1834, daughter of John and Fannie G. (Collins) Ladd.
Daughter Clara L.W. Mathes married in Rochester, NH, October, 7, 1867, John Irving LeGro [LeGros]. He was born in Rochester, NH, in December 1842, son of John and Lucy (Jones) LeGro.
Betsy [((Meserve) Pinkham)] Lyman of Rochester, NH, made out her last will in Rochester, NH, July 21, 1868. In it she bequeathed a life estate in her Rochester house and furniture to Louisa F. [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes [(1818-1901)], widow of Stephen Mathes [(1797-1857)], which was to go next to the son, George Frederick Mathes [(1856-1934)]. She bequeathed her wearing apparel, beds and bedding to her nieces, May Pinkham, Abigail Twombly [(1809-1893)], and Betsy M. [(Twombly)] Minot [(1820-1904)]. She bequeathed the rest and residue to her nephews, Bidfield Meserve [(1807-1891)] and Samuel Meserve [(1808-1900)], who were sons of John Meserve [(1785-1871)]; Stephen M.Y. Meserve [(1811-1876)], who was a son of Hopley Meserve [(1789-1875)]; and the Methodist Church of Rochester, NH, in equal parts. She nominated John McDuffee [(1803-1890)] of Rochester, NH, as her executor. Dominicus Hanson [(1813-1907)], Ezekiel Wentworth [(1823-1905)], and Frankin McDuffee [(1832-1880)] signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 89:413).
Louisa F. [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes, keeping house, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Gonic P.O.”) household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. Her household included George F. Mathes, at home, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Ezecial Wentworth, a carpenter, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), and James Jenness, [a carpenter,] aged forty years (b. NH). Louisa F. Mathes had real estate valued at $400 and personal estate valued at $1,000. Her household appeared in the enumeration on the same page as that of her son-in-law, James Pirie, a tailor, aged thirty-eight years (b. Scotland).
James Pirie, a tailor, aged thirty-eight years (b. Scotland), headed a Rochester (“Gonic P.O.), NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Manda E. [(Mathes)] Pirie, keeping house, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), George Pirie, aged ten months (b. NH), and Hellen Pray, aged fourteen years (b. NH). His household appeared in the enumeration on the same page as that of his mother-in-law, Louisa F. [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes, keeping house, aged fifty-two years (b. NH).
John W. Pray, a physician, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Gonic P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Etta A. [(Ladd)] Pray, keeping house, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and Hellen E. Pray, at home, aged fourteen years (b. NH). John W. Pray had personal estate valued at $6,000.
Irvin J. Legro, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Gonic P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Clara W. [(Mathes)] LeGro, aged twenty-two years (b. NH). They resided in a two-family residence with the household of his father, John Legro, an internal revenue agt., aged fifty-four years (b. NH).
Son-in-law Dr. John W. Pray died in Rochester, NH, in April 1871.
The first two months were spent as baggage-master in the station at Rochester. Then he [George F. Mathes] began braking on a freight train, subsequently becoming brakeman and baggage master on a passenger train of the Great Falls & Conway road, which is now a part of the Boston & Maine system. He was afterward to the position of conductor (Biographical Review, 1897).
Son George F. Mathes married in Rochester, NH, August 30, 1875, Fannie A. Parker, he of Rochester, NH, and she of Wolfeboro, NH. He was a baggage master, aged nineteen years, and she was aged twenty-one years. George S. Lindsay, justice of the peace, performed the ceremony. She was born in Wolfeboro, NH, circa 1854, daughter of Charles H. and Sophia Parker.
Mr. [George F.] Mathes was married to Miss Fannie A. Parker, daughter of C.H. Parker of Wolfboro. They have one child, Charles A., who is now brakeman on the Boston & Maine Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Mathes are not publicly identified with any religious organization; but liberal in their beliefs, and attend the Unitarian church (Biographical Review, 1897).
Loisa F. [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes, at home, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. She shared a two-family residence on Wakefield Street with the household of Caroline E. Barker, keeping house, aged forty-seven years (b. NH). She appeared in the enumeration next to her stepdaughter, Mandana T. (Mathes) Pirie.
His wife, who was also born in Milton, is now spending her declining years in Rochester. She is a sincere Christian woman and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church (Biographical Review, 1897).
James Pirie, at home, aged forty-eight years (b. Scotland), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mandana T. [(Mathes)] Pirie, keeping house, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and his niece, Helen E. Pray, at home, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH). They resided on Wakefield Street. Mandana T. Pirie was ill with a “lung trouble.” They appeared in the enumeration next to her stepmother, Loisa F. Mathes.
John I. Legro, a screw factory superintendent, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Franklin (“Village of Franklin Falls”), NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included Clara W. [(Mathes)] Legro, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), and John Legro, aged seven years (b. CT).
Geo. F. Mathes, a R.R. conductor, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Fannie A. [(Parker)] Mathes, keeping house, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and his son, Charlie A. Mathes, at home, aged three years (b. NH).
Son-in-law James Pirie died in Rochester, NH, March 23, 1881, aged forty-nine years.
Daughter Clara L.W. (Mathes) LeGro died of malnutrition in Rochester, NH, March 29, 1892, aged forty-seven years, and thirteen days. R.O. Sweet, M.D., signed the death certificate.
In 1893 Mr. [George F.] Mathes accepted his present position in Dover, where he has established for himself a firm place among the most respected businessmen and citizens. He is a self-made man in every sense implied by the term, having by his own efforts steadily climbed the ladder of prosperity. Politically, Mr. Mathes is a sturdy Republican, and for many years was quite an active member of his party. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1889, and in 1893 represented the town of Wolfboro in the State legislature. Socially, he is a member of Syracuse Lodge, No. 27, K. of P., of Salmonville; and of the Wolfboro Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men (Biographical Review, 1897).
Son-in-law John Irving LeGros married (2nd) in Sanbornville, Wakefield, NH, November 20, 1897, Hattie R. Johnson, he of Rochester, NH, and she of Wakefield, NH. He was a manufacturer, aged fifty-four years, and she was at home, aged nineteen years. Rev. Charles Bancroft performed the ceremony. She was born in Wakefield, NH, circa 1877, daughter of Thomas H. and Mary E. (Webster) Johnson.
Mandy [(Mathes)] Pirie, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Her household included her niece, Helen E. Dray, a tailoress, aged forty-four years (b. NH). Mandy Pirie owned their two-family residence at 32 Wakefield Street, free-and-clear. She was the mother of four children, of whom none were living. She rented the other part of the residence to Julia Wilkinson, a tailoress, aged forty-seven years (b. NH).
John Legro, hardware manufacturing, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of three years), Hallie [Hattie] Legro, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), his daughter, Dorothy J. Legro aged one year (b. NH), his mother, Lucy J. [(Jones)] Legro, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), his servant, Jane Kennedy, a housekeeper, aged twenty-eight years (b. Ireland), and his boarder, John Legro, a bookkeeper, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Hallie LeGro was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Lucy J. LeGro was the mother of two children, of whom one was still living. Jane Kennedy had immigrated into the U.S. in 1887.
George F. Mathes, local agent of the B&M R.R., aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-three years), Fannie A. [(Parker)] Mathes, aged forty-five years (b. NH), his son, Charles A. Mathes, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and his mother, Louise F. [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes, a widow, aged eighty-two years (b. NH). George F. Mathes rented their house at 24 Sixth Street. Fannie A. Mathes was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living; Louise F. Mathes was the mother of four children, of whom two were still living.
Louisa F. [((Meserve) Davis)] Mathes died of senility at 24 Sixth Street in Dover, NH, December 7, 1901, aged eighty-three years, ten months, and twenty-three days. She had resided in Dover, NH, for four years, i.e., since circa 1896-97. Her previous residence had been Rochester, NH.
Mandana T. [(Mathes)] Pirie, own income, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. Her household included her companion, Helen Prey, a coatmaker and tailor shop, aged fifty-four years (b. NH). Mandana T. Pirie rented their house at 24 Wakefield Street. She was the mother of four children, of whom none were living.
John I. Legrow, retired (own income), aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed an East Bridgewater, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twelve years), Hattie R. [(Johnson)] Legrow, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), and his children, Dorothy J. Legrow, aged eleven years (b. NH), Irving E. Legrow, aged nine years (b. NH), Terese Legrow, aged seven years (b. NH), and Elizabeth Legrow (b. NH), aged six years. John I. Legrow owned their house on West Street, free-and-clear. Hattie R. Legrow was the mother of four children, of whom four were still living.
George F. Mathes, a railroad yard clerk, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty years), Fannie [(Parker)] Mathes, a housewife, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), and his roomer, Julia Smith, own income, aged seventy-three years (b. NH). George F. Mathes rented their house at 62 Sixth Street. Fannie Mathes was the mother of one child, who was still living.
Daughter Mandana T. (Mathes) Pirie died of hepatic cirrhosis at 24 Wakefield Street in Rochester, NH, December 3, 1918, aged eighty-five years, one month, and four days. She had lived in Rochester, NH, for seventy-four years, i.e., since circa 1843-44. A.S. Annis, M.D., signed the death certificate.
John I. LeGros, a cotton gin machinist, aged seventy-seven years (b. NH), headed an East Bridgewater, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hattie R. LeGros, a dressmaker, aged forty-one years (b. NH), his children, Dorothy J. LeGros, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), P. Edward LeGros, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Trese LeGros, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and Elizabeth LeGros, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and his boarder, Edward Sullivan, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH). John I. LeGros owned their house at 24 East Steet, with a mortgage.
George F. Mathes, a railroad yard clerk, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Frances A. [(Parker)] Mathes, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), his son, Charles A. Mathes, aged forty-three years (b. NH), his daughter-in-law, Katherine T. Mathes, a trained nurse (private cases), aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and his granddaughter, Dorothy P. Mathes, aged twelve years (b. NH). George F. Mathes owned their house on North Main Street, free-and-clear.
Son-in-law John I. LeGros died of arterio-sclerosis in East Bridgewater, MA, December 24, 1923, aged eighty years, eleven months, and twenty-four days.
George F. Mathes, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifty-five years), Fannie A. [(Parker)] Mathes, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), and his son, Charles A. Mathes, aged fifty-three years (b. NH). George F. Mathes owned their house at 35 North Main Street, which was valued at $4,500. They did not have a radio set.
Son George F. Mathes died of angina pectoris in Wolfeboro, NH, February 3, 1934, aged seventy-seven years, eight months, and seven days. C.B. Cotton [M.D.] signed the death certificate.
References:
Claremont Manufacturing Co. (1854). New Hampshire Register and Farmer’s Almanac. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=l-cWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA60
Farmer, John & Lyon, G. Parker. (1826). Curtis’s Pocket Almanack and Register of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=L8EwAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA44
Farmer, John & Lyon, G. Parker. (1844). New-Hampshire Annual Register, and United States Calendar. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=BJIBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA51
Find a Grave. (2021, August 1). George F. Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230169864/george-f-mathes
Find a Grave. (2022, April 26). Robert Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239234385/robert-mathes
Find a Grave. (2020, September 7). Sarah Cummings Merrill Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/215332686/sarah-cummings_merrill-mathes
Find a Grave. (2020, September 7). Stephen Meserve Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/215330464/stephen-meserve-mathes
Find a Grave. (2020, September 7). Stephen Meserve Mathes, Jr. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/215332905/stephen-meserve-mathes
Find a Grave. (2017, February 16). Mandana T. Mathes Pirie. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/176398397/mandana-t-pirie
Find a Grave. (2022, August 18). Mary E. [(Mathes)] Pray. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/242772587/mary-e-pray
Kruger, David. (1998). Jonathan Watson (1650?-1714) of Dover, New Hampshire: Who Settled There by 1672. Newbury Street Press.
Lyon, G. Parker. (1829). New Hampshire Annual Register and United States Calendar. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=Okg9AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA52
McDuffee, Franklin. (1892). History of the Town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=rL0yAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA558
NH General Court. (1829). Manual for the Use of the General Court of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=Ee8RAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA11
NH General Court. (1843). Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of New-Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=pvtBAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA4
NH General Court. (1857). Journal of the Senate of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=yldNAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA536
Milton Observer 