Milton’s NH State Representatives – Redux

By John S. Frum | December 31, 2023

With today’s biographical sketch of Milton Mills Chauffeur Frank D. Stevens (1872-1939), Ms. Bristol has produced a sketch at least of everyone Milton has ever sent to be their NH State Representative over its first 150 years: Milton’s NH State Representatives – 1803-1902 and Milton’s NH State Representatives – 1903-1954.

She began at some point to provide a sampling of their State House roll call votes over the years but feels she should go back and do so also for those for whom that was not done yet. It should be possible, if somewhat difficult, to also determine the party affiliations of those in the earlier part of the sequence. There are also a few questions regarding the varying numbers of those State Representatives over time, and other issues. All to be done over time.

Meanwhile, she intends to continue producing similar biographical sketches for everyone who was ever one of Milton’s three Selectmen over its first 150 years: Milton Selectmen, 1802-1907 and Milton Selectmen, 1908-1953.

And her sequence of city directories and other things.


References:

Milton Observer. (2020, October 27). Index of Ms. Bristol’s Historical Articles. Retrieved from miltonobserver.com/2020/10/27/index-of-ms-bristols-historical-articles/

Milton Mills Chauffeur Frank D. Stevens (1872-1939)

By Muriel Bristol | December 31, 2024

Frank D. Stevens was born in Milton, October 23, 1872, son of Daniel D. “Durrell” and Hannah J. (Cook) Stevens.

Frank D. Stevens married in Milton Mills, June 1, 1895, Marguerite A. “Amy” Meikle, both of Milton. He was a shoe laster, aged twenty-two years, and she was a housekeeper, aged eighteen years. Rev. R.K. Sheaff, M.D., performed the ceremony. She was born in Wakefield, NH, in August 1876, daughter of Willaim and Margaret A. Meikle.

Father Daniel D. Stevens died of pulmonary consumption in Milton, December 8, 1895, aged seventy-three years, and sixteen days. He was a married farmer. W.E. Pillsbury, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Son Donald Vernette Stevens was born in Milton, January 20, 1898.

Frank D. Stephens, a hostler, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of five years), Mary M. [(Meikle)] Stephens, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and Donald V. Stephens, aged two years (b. NH). Frank D. Stephens rented their house. Mary M. Stephens was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Their household was enumerated between those of John F. Archibald, a wool carder, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Daniel Philbrick, a farmer, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH).

Mother Hannah J. (Cook) Stevens died of uremia in Milton Mills, May 11, 1907, aged seventy-five years, eight months, and four days. She was a widowed houseworker. J.A. Stevens, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Frank D. Stevens had a NH State chauffeur’s license in 1906-07 and 1909-10.

Frank D. Stevens, a laborer (general farm), aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifteen years), Margrate [(Meikle)] Stevens, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), and his son, Donald B. Stevens, aged twelve years (b. NH). Frank D. Stevens rented their house. Margrate Stevens was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Their household was enumerated between those of Asa Merrill, own income, aged eighty years (b. ME), and John W. Page, own income, aged sixty-seven years (b. GA).

Father-in-law William A. Meikle died of Bright’s Disease in Milton Mills, September 6, 1911, aged sixty-nine years, four months, and twenty-one days. Charles W. Gross, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Son Donald Vernet Stevens of Milton Mills registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 18, 1918. He was a student at Boston University, aged twenty years (b. January 20, 1898). His nearest relation was Frank D. Stevens of Milton Mills. He was of a medium height, slender build, with blue eyes and brown hair.

Frank D. Stevens, a chauffeur (private family), aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Marguerite M. [(Meikle)] Stevens, aged forty-two years (b. NH), and his son, Donald V. Stevens, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). Frank D. Stevens rented their house on Church Street. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Grace C. [(Townsend)] Townsend, a widow, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and James C. Hawksworth, a woolen mill washer, aged sixty years (b. Nova Scotia).

In Other Places. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Glidden, of West Medford, Mass., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Louise Eulalia Glidden, to Mr. Donald V. Stevens, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Stevens, of Milton Mills, N.H. (New York Herald (New York, NY), April 14, 1920).

Son Donald V. Stevens married in Medford, MA, in 1920, Louise E. Glidden, he of Milton Mills and she of Medford, MA. She was born in Medford, MA, daughter of Frederick A. Glidden.

Milton sent Frank D. Stevens to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative for the 1923-24 biennium.

Frank D. (Marguerite) Stevens appeared in the Milton directory of 1930, as having a garage in Milton Mills.

Frank D. Stevens, a mechanic (garage), aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Marguerite [(Meikle)] Stevens, aged fifty-two years (b. NH). Frank D. Stevens owned their house on Church Street, which was valued at $1,500, They had a radio set. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Richard Ayer, aged forty-five years (b. ME), and Grace [(Townsend)] Townsend, aged fifty-six years (b. NH).

Donald V. Stevens, a salesman (hosiery store), aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Medford, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Louise E. [(Glidden)] Stevens, aged thirty-one years (b. MA), and his children, Donald V. Stevens, aged eight years (b. MA), Gloria Stevens, aged six years (b. MA), and Fred G. Stevens, aged five years (b. MA). Donald V. Stevens rented their house at 21 Wolcott Park, for $65 per month. They had a radio set.

Mother-in-law, Catherine (Steele) Meikle died in Milton Mills, October 19, 1932.

MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Frank D. Stevens spent the week-end with her son and family at their home in West Medford, Mass. (Farmington News, October 19, 1934).

MILTON MILLS. Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Stevens are feeling badly over the death of their little dog, “Buttons” (Farmington News, December 21, 1934).

MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Frank D. Stevens, who has been in West Medford, Mass., several weeks, has returned home (Farmington News, February 8, 1935).

MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Frank D. Stevens, who has been ill for some time, has returned to hospital in Wolfeboro for treatment (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME0, July 7, 1938).

Frank D. Stevens died in Milton, December 25, 1939.

May M. [(Meikle)] Stevens, a widow, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her maid, Jessie Buttler, a maid (private family), aged twenty-one years (b. ME). May M. Stevens owned their house on Church Street, which was valued at $1,500. May M. Stevens had resided in the “same house” in 1935, while Jessie Buttler had resided in the “same place,” i.e., Milton, in 1935. Ther household appeared in the enumeration between those of Timothy Conway, aged eighty-three (b. NH), and Grace M. [(Townsend)] Townsend, a widow, aged sixty-five years (b. NH).

Donald Stevens, a buyer (wholesale hosiery), aged forty-two years (b. NH), headed a Medford, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Louise E. [(Glidden)] Stevens, aged forty-one years (b. MA), and his children, Donald Stevens, a shipping clerk (wholesale hosiery), aged eighteen years (b. MA), Gloria Stevens, aged sixteen years (b. MA), and Fred Stevens, aged fifteen years (b. MA). Donald Stevens rented their house at 37 Judkins Road, for $50 per month. They had all resided in the “same place,” i.e., Medford, MA, in 1935.

MILTON MILLS. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Stevens and family of Medford, Mass., spent Memorial Day with his mother, Mrs. Frank D. Stevens (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 5, 1941).

Son Donald Vernet Stevens of 37 Judkins Road, Medford, MA, registered for the WW II military draft in Medford, MA, February 15, 1942. He was employed by the Tripletoe Hosiery Co., 68 Essex Street, Boston, MA. He was aged forty-four years (b. Milton Mills, NH, January 20, 1898). His nearest relation was Mrs. Louise E. Stevens of 37 Judkins Road, Medford, MA. He was 5′ 11″ tall, weighed 170 pounds, with blue eyes, bald hair, and a ruddy complexion.

Mary M. Stevens, a widow, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of John E. Horne, a carpenter (building contractor), aged seventy-two years (b. ME), and Fred E. Carswell, Jr., a sales clerk (grocery store), aged twenty-four years (b. NH).

Donald V. Stevens, a buyer (wholesale hosiery), aged fifty-two years (b. NH), headed a Cambridge, MA, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Louise E. [(Glidden)] Stevens, aged fifty-one years (b. MA), his daughter, Gloria M. [(Stevens)] Cassidy, a private secretary (arthritis foundation), aged twenty-six years (b. MA), and his granddaughter, Diane Cassidy, aged five years (b. MA). Their apartment was at 3 Linnehan Street.

Marguerite A. (Meikle) Stevens died in Milton, October 23, 1959.

Son Donald V. Stevens died in Cambridge, MA, October 1, 1976, aged seventy-eight years.

Donald Stevens, Hosiery Executive. Funeral services for Donald V. Stevens, 78, of 7 Arlington st., Cambridge, will be at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow in the A.E. Long Memorial Chapel in Cambridge. Mr. Stevens, retired vice president of the Triple Toe Hosiery Co. of Boston, died Friday at his home. A Cambridge resident for 34 years, Mr. Stevens was born in Milton Mills, N.H. He was a 1916 graduate of Rochester High School in N.H., and was a 1920 graduate of the Boston University School of Business Administration. Mr. Stevens, a World War I Navy veteran, lived in Medford before moving to Cambridge. He was with Triple Toe Hosiery Co. for 30 years. He leaves his wife, Louise (Glidden); two sons, Donald V. Jr. of Rumford, R.I., and Fred G. of Wilton, N.H.; one daughter, Mrs. Gloria Abbott of Saxonville; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (Boston Globe, October 3, 1976).

Daughter-in-law Louise (Glidden) Stevens died in Rumford, RI, July 30, 1984.

DEATHS. STEVENS – Louise E. (Glidden), on July 30, 1984, widow of Donald V. Stevens, a former resident of Medford and Cambridge. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 4 at 12 o’clock in the Newman Congregational Church, Newman Ave., Rumford, R.I. Calling hours are omitted. Arrangements by J.H. Williams & Co., 210 Taunton Ave., EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Boston Globe, July 31, 1984).


References:

Find a Grave. (2013, August 15). William Alexander Meikle. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115503109/william-alexander-meikle

Find a Grave. (2013, July 31). Daniel Durrell Stevens. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114696234/daniel-d-stevens

Find a Grave. (2021, May 13). Donald Vernet Stevens. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226850196/donald-vernet-stevens

Find a Grave. (2021, May 13). Frank D. Stevens. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226850692/frank-d-stevens

Celestial Seasonings – January 2024

By Heather Durham | December 30, 2023

As we bask in the winter beauty of the northern hemisphere, let us marvel at the blessings this season brings. The crisp air carries a quiet serenity, and the celestial canvas above unfolds with a brilliance unique to winter nights. Underneath the twinkling tapestry, we find solace in the embrace of colder temperatures, for it is during these frosty nights that the celestial wonders unveil themselves with unparalleled clarity.


January 2. As we stand beneath the winter sky’s tranquil embrace, let’s celebrate the cosmic blessings this season brings. The chill in the air amplifies the celestial wonders that grace the night sky, offering a canvas of clarity for us to admire.

January 3. At last quarter, the moon paints a soft glow upon the winter landscape, adding a touch of magic to the quietude of the season.

January 4. Brace yourselves for the celestial fireworks of the Quadrantid meteor shower, a cosmic spectacle promising a shower of meteors to ignite our imaginations.

January 7. Mercury, the elusive messenger of the gods, reaches dichotomy and achieves its highest altitude in the morning sky on this celestial morning, inviting us to witness its fleeting brilliance.

January 8. In a cosmic pas-de-deux, the moon and Venus perform a celestial conjunction, a ballet of two luminous orbs dancing across the winter night.

January 12. Mercury returns to the cosmic stage, reaching its greatest elongation west, showcasing the intricate choreography of our solar system.

January 14. Saturn graces our night sky with a close celestial embrace with the moon, a moment of cosmic connection.

January 17. The moon returns to the first quarter, casting its gentle glow across the winter landscape in a celestial reassurance.

January 18. A celestial trio graces our night sky as the moon and Jupiter engage in a close cosmic rendezvous, a dance of celestial majesty.

January 25. Finally, on this night, our lunar companion takes center stage as the full moon illuminates the winter night with its radiant glow. Let us revel in the celestial spectacle that January has in store, a testament to the grandeur of our cosmic home.


References:

Ford, D.F. (2023, December 28). January 2024. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org/newscal.php?year=2024&month=01

Wikipedia. (2023, June 23). Quadrantids. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrantids

Bureaucrat, May I?

By Ian Aikens | January 2, 2024

Should a person get fined or jailed for failing to obtain permission to work from the government? Does government licensing and certification actually keep the public safer? Should government officials or consumers decide who is allowed to serve the public?

I bring up these questions because of a bill that hit the State House this year. HB507 was a controversial bill that would have removed penalties for failing to get a license to practice in certain occupations. Contrary to claims made that it would have eliminated all licensing and turned New Hampshire into the Wild West, the bill would have simply removed the penalties but left the current licensing system in place without dismantling it.

This shouldn’t have been a big deal, but when it comes to “stakeholders” in the status quo, this was like a declaration of war. Players with vested interests—and lots of dollars at stake—weren’t about to allow other competitors into their coveted and protected occupations without a fight, so they descended upon the State House to lobby all the state reps to kill the bill. A Realtor friend of mine told me that he received numerous emails from his trade association for a “Call to Action” to bombard the state reps with emails to ensure defeat of the bill. It was laid on the table by a vote of 308 to 71, so it is history for the balance of this legislative session.

A little background on state licensing is helpful to understand the forces at work on this issue. If you want to see an area of public policy that makes no sense at all—and is truly a Wild West of its own—just take a look at state occupational licensing. It is a crazy patchwork of laws and rules that boggle the mind and vary drastically from state to state. Their only common feature is that the rules are completely arbitrary but are always framed as being necessary for “public health” and “safety.” Heaven forbid that the government might not keep us all “safe.”

To fully appreciate the absurdity of state licensing, here are some of the occupations currently licensed by some states: florists (Louisiana), social and human services assistants (Ohio), home entertainment installers (3 states), hypnotists (3 states), interior designers (3 states), travel agents (5 states), title examiners (7 states), furniture upholsterers (9 states), farm labor contractors (10 states), bartenders (12 states), locksmiths (12 states), and interpreters of sign language (22 states). Yes, an unlicensed florist might sell droopy flowers, and the sounds from your newly installed home entertainment system might not hit the perfect notes, but are these really matters of life and death? Obviously, if “public health” were really the issue, then all states would be licensing these occupations; rather it looks like certain “stakeholders” are more active in some states than others.

Let’s start with the not insignificant costs of licensing. Estimates are that consumers pay a premium of 15% extra to receive services licensed by the state. This translates to an annual loss of 2.8 million jobs and a cost of $203 billion. While states do the bulk of licensing, cities, counties, and the federal government sometimes require additional licenses in order to work as they want their “fair share” of the loot too.

Despite America having the reputation for being free-er, government licensing is actually a heavier burden here than in the European Union. Depending on the European country, licensing ensnares 9-24% of all jobs, whereas in the United States, it’s now 25-30% of all jobs, which is up significantly from less than 5% in the 1950’s. By field, it’s now more than 75% for healthcare, 67% for the law profession, and 50% for education. The way things are going, one may soon need a license and degree to work at McDonald’s!

So how does New Hampshire compare to other states when it comes to economic freedom to work? Generally a lot better than many other states, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement. It licenses 37 of 102 of the lower income occupations; that’s 36% for New Hampshire, while the national average is 53%. For burden rank, where first is the worst, New Hampshire ranks 19th in the country. For a combined ranking of the number of licenses times the average burden, New Hampshire does better at 42nd in the country. Our average licensing fees here are $209, while the national average is $284.

We do have 54 different licensing boards here under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. The roster doesn’t look as crazy as in some states, but right off the top, a few definitely are ridiculous if one is really concerned about “public health” and “safety”: CPA’s, architects, auctioneers, court reporters, engineers, family mediators, foresters, genetic counselors, geologists, land surveyors, natural scientists, real estate agents, real estate appraisers, recreational therapists, and septic system evaluators. Most of these professions are white-collar jobs, and of course everyone wants competent, ethical professionals, but can you really say with a straight face that, if a white- collar worker messes up, someone will expire? I don’t think so, but that hasn’t stopped vested interests from using the public health and safety cover for protectionism.

I went through all 54 boards to examine board actions taken against individuals or companies in violation of the law. Out of the 54 boards, a full 18 boards had taken not a single board action at all. That right there should be reason enough to thank them for their services—and disband them permanently. The boards of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics; Electricians; and Nursing had the most board actions. Pharmacy and Medicine had a modest number of actions taken, and all the rest of the boards had either few board actions taken or none at all.

Many of the actions taken by the bureaucrats on the various boards clearly were administrative violations. Common problems were lapsed licenses, not having your photo on your license, not completing all your continuing education hours, and supervising unlicensed contractors. Working without a license also popped up a lot, and that is considered an especially serious violation. As Milton Friedman noted, “Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned.” To government officials, there really is nothing more important than that magical piece of paper with an official government stamp to ensure safety. Unfortunately, it might actually make the public less safe by providing a false sense of security to the public that every licensed professional by the state has been completely vetted, and there is no need to do any further due diligence on the person or firm.

The next category of board actions contained more legitimate concerns but didn’t rise to the level of “public safety.” Often, they were complaints of not living up to the terms of a contract. One real estate broker didn’t pay commissions. A funeral director did not secure headstone engraving services that had already been paid for in advance. Complaints such as these could be handled by the courts as tort law is one of the few legitimate functions of government. Even a non-governmental organization such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) could resolve such conflicts. I once had some work done around my home and was unhappy with how it turned out. When the contractor refused to return my calls, I filed an official complaint with the BBB, and I received a call from the contractor the very next day. Within a week, I had received a check as compensation for a less than satisfying job.

Let’s not forget the importance of reputation when it comes to serving the public. Customer satisfaction is the number one factor in determining the success or failure of a business. If word of mouth gets around that an individual or company is pleasing its customers, it will likely succeed and grow. Obviously, the reverse is also true: if it performs poorly, it will soon run out of customers. A golden reputation and happy customers—not government busybodies—are what drive best business practices.

Another category of board actions was directed at various forms of unprofessional conduct. A drug counselor told inappropriate jokes and used foul language. A recreational therapist “crossed boundaries” and smoked pot with a former client. A guardian ad litem didn’t maintain “professional boundaries.” These types of problems could and should be handled by professional trade associations, not government bureaucrats. I checked all 54 boards and found specific trade organizations for every single board category except Manufactured Housing, which is a special board created by the state legislature in 1994 to settle disputes between park owners and residents. (Arbitration, or the courts if necessary, could have handled such disputes.)

Professional trade organizations of every sort exist at the local, state, national, and even international levels. These professional associations do their own policing and maintain higher standards than those set by government licensing bureaucrats. Obviously, they aren’t doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, but rather because it makes good business sense. If they have rogue members of their trade out there serving the public poorly, that reflects negatively on all of their members, so they have every incentive to discipline (or banish if necessary) members who don’t live up to the standards of the association. My Realtor friend told me that his trade association has ethics and judicial committees to deal with unprofessional members. As always, reputation is key.

The downside to the trade associations is that they have gotten lazy over the years and are tending to rely on government licensing administrators to do some of their policing. And of course they don’t mind a little dose of good old-fashioned protectionism to keep out competitors—and charge higher prices—by lobbying for more licensing boards and raising the requirements for licensing. Trade associations operating almost like trade guilds in the past still serve an important purpose today, but they could be even more effective without the presence of government bureaucrats.

There were definitely some licensing board actions that actually dealt with “public health” issues. Nursing, pharmacy, and medicine all had a lot of substance abuse problems: stealing drugs, under the influence, found asleep in patient’s bed drunk, and mixed up prescriptions. Also, there were a fair number of complaints of sexual assault and “inappropriate touching.” Again, these kinds of complaints should be investigated by professional associations, and if found guilty, the culprits should be disciplined. The loss of professional standing would be a red flag to potential customers or employers. The sexual assault complaints could very easily lead to law enforcement involvement and possible civil suits.

The Barbering, Cosmetology, & Esthetics Board clearly had the most board activity of all 54 boards. Aside from the usual administrative problems like expired licenses, licenses without pictures, and licenses not displayed, most of the fines issued by the board were for sanitation problems: tables not cleaned properly, unopened pack of bladed rasp files, whirlpool/foot spa/spa not disinfected and covered as required, bowl not maintained or covered as required, and so forth. I’m not so sure that each of these violations really threatened anyone’s health to the point of actually getting sick or infected, but let’s be on the conservative side of sanitation and assume these problems threatened the public. If government inspections didn’t occur, how would the public be protected?

When it’s the facility, rather than the professional, with a problem, it should be the insurance company that checks up on the business. As with trade associations, the insurance company wouldn’t be doing inspections out of altruism, but rather out of pure business sense. If a nail shop, for instance, is unsanitary enough that a customer gets infected there and sues the business, it would be the insurance company that gets stuck with paying the claim. Therefore, it behooves the insurance company to ensure the sanitary standards of the business are high. Unfortunately, the downside to government bureaucrats doing the inspections is that the insurance companies have also gotten slack and rely on the bureaucrats to do their job. And if the bureaucrats miss a violation or two (due to sloppiness or even possible corruption), who will be held accountable?

I know for a fact that the market sometimes works this way—even with government busybodies—because I used to work in the bedding industry. Our facility was always inspected in person when we changed insurance companies because our employees tended to store samples in closets, and they would pile them up to the ceiling causing a possible fire hazard. The insurance company would always make a fuss about this, so our employees scrambled to “clean house” before an insurance company visit.

So, what can be done to rein in the licensing-industrial complex in New Hampshire? We can look to other states to see what has worked elsewhere. There are very few successful instances where de-licensing has worked, despite many attempts all over the country. Sunset committee reviews have often recommended de-licensing only to have legislators vote against the recommendations. Conversely, legislators have often sponsored bills for licensing reform only to have their bills die in committee.

Colorado provides as good an example as any for successful de-licensing. Per recommendations by its state auditor and sunset committee reviews, the legislature repealed the mandatory licensing of funeral directors in 1981 and abolished its 70-year-old licensing board. It did, however, keep a “title protection” requirement in place that does not allow anyone to advertise or present themselves as a “funeral director” unless they have practiced for 2,000 hours, interned as a “funeral director,” or handled at least 50 funerals or graveside services. This is a reasonable alternative to government licensing as those consumers in need of such services who are more comfortable with the government-sanctioned title can choose a “funeral director” and those consumers less concerned with titles—who just need the services performed—might choose the less glamorous “mortician” or “undertaker.” I say, let the consumer choose!

HB507, by the way, did include such a title protection clause with the wording, “Nothing in this section shall prevent an unlicensed person engaged in providing services of any profession regulated by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification under this chapter as long as the person does not advertise or hold themselves out as being licensed.” So, it was a good first step—and actually a very tame one—to offer consumers more choices for services. This might have actually forced state-sanctioned licensees to provide or offer better services to their customers.

I hope in the near future a similar attempt to dismantle the licensing cartels materializes again. Not only do they keep the costs of goods and services higher for everyone than they would be otherwise; they also keep those on the lower end of the economic ladder on the bottom rung. Shamefully these are often the very same folks who profess to “help” the working poor. The hypocrisy is breath-taking. How about something novel like just letting the working poor … work?

(Editor: NH State Representatives Bailey, Burnham, and Granger, who represent Strafford District 2 (Milton and Rochester Ward 5), were among the 71 representatives that voted against tabling HB507. They may or may not have been in favor of it, but they voted against not voting on its issues).


References:

Flatten, Mark. (2016, December 6). Goldwater Institute. Protection Racket: Occupational Licensing Laws and the Right to Earn a Living. Retrieved from www.goldwaterinstitute.org/protection-racket-occupational-licensing-laws-and/

Institute for Justice. (2023). New Hampshire Occupational Licensing. Retrieved from ij.org/report/license-to-work-3/ltw-state-profile/new-hampshire/

LegiScan. (2023). HB507: Relative to unauthorized practice in occupational licensing and certification. Retrieved from legiscan.com/NH/text/HB507/id/2636197

NH OPLC. (2023). Find a Board. Retrieved from www.oplc.nh.gov/find-board

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2015, May). The de-licensing of occupations in the United States. Retrieved from www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2015/article/the-de-licensing-of-occupations-in-the-united-states.htm

Milton Mills Folder George W.H. Longley (1882-1975)

By Muriel Bristol | December 24, 2023

George Winfield Cooley was born in Brighton, ME, March 9, 1882, son of Leander and Annastazzia M. (Gilman) Cooley.

Parents Leander and Annastazzia M. (Gilman) Cooley divorced in Somerset, ME, in March 1887.

Father Leander Cooley married (2nd) in Bingham, ME, October 18, 1892, Mary M. Brown, he of Bingham, ME, and she of Solon, ME. He was a divorced farmer, aged forty-four years, and she was a housekeeper, aged sixteen years. Rev. George Main performed the ceremony. She was born in Solon, ME, March 15, 1877, daughter of Elihu A. and Nancy (Wentworth) Brown.

MARRIED. Bingham – Oct. 19, Mr. Leander Cooley of Bingham and Miss Mary M. Brown of Solon (Lewiston Sun-Journal (Lewiston, ME), October 28, 1892). 

Jonah S. Longley, a lumberman, aged seventy-five years (b. ME), headed a Solon, ME, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of four years), Annastazzia M. [((Gilman) Cooley)] Longley, aged forty-one years (b. ME), his daughter-in-law, Myrtie B. Cooley, a teacher, aged twenty years (b. ME), his son-in-law, George W.H. Cooley, at school, aged eighteen years (b. ME), and his servants, Nettie S. Rowell, a housekeeper, aged sixteen years (b. ME), and Frank F. Burton, a farm laborer, aged twenty-one years (b. ME).

Mother Annastazzia M. [((Gilman) Cooley)] Longley married (2nd) in Solon, ME, October 12, 1902, Jonah S. Longley, both of Solon, ME. She was a divorced housekeeper, aged forty-three years, and he was a divorced lumberman, aged seventy-seven years. (She was his third wife). Rev. E.T. Adams performed the ceremony. She was born in Bingham, ME, circa 1858, daughter of Leonard H. and Mary (Eames) Gilman.

Father Leander Cooley died of heart disease in Bingham, ME, May 2, 1906, aged fifty-seven years. He was a farmer.

SOLON. Mr. Leander Cooley passed away very suddenly, May 2nd, at his home in Bingham. Mr. Cooley leaves a wife and five children beside an aged mother (Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, ME), May 10, 1906).

George W. Longley married (1st) in Solon, ME, April 30, 1908, Asenath Hargraves, he of Solon, ME, and she of Milton Mills. He was a clerk, aged twenty-five years, and she was a milliner, aged twenty-five years. Rev. A.A. Callaghan performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton Mills, December 10, 1882, daughter of Edward and Myra A. (Page) Hargraves.

Stepfather Jonah S. Longley died in Solon, ME, February 18, 1912, aged eighty-nine years.

SOLON. Mr. Jonah Longley, one of Solon’s oldest citizens, passed away, Sunday afternoon, at the advanced age of 89 years. The services will be held on Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock (Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, ME),[Thursday,] February 22, 1912).

Royal Stock and Poultry RemediesG.W. Longley of Solon, ME, and Milton Mills, was an agent for Royal Stock and Poultry Remedies in 1913.

$24 WEEKLY for man with rig to introduce Royal Stock and Poultry Remedies. Year’s Contract. We mean business and furnish best of references. Dept. B-6, ROYAL CO. OP. MFG. CO., Indianapolis, Ind. (Green’s Fruit Gower & Home Companion, February 1905). 

WANTED – General Agent in your County to introduce Royal Stock and Poultry Remedies, under Government stamp tax. Big inducements to right party. Address G.W. Longley, State Agent, Solon, Maine, or Milton Mills, N.H. 4w16* (Independent Reporter (Skowhegan, ME), April 17, 1913).

George Winfield Longley registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 12, 1918. His address was Milton Mills. He was aged thirty-five years (b. March 9, 1883) and employed as a blanket folder by the John E. Townsend estate of Milton Mills. George Winfield Longley was of medium height and a slender build. He had brown hair, and gray eyes. His wife was Mrs. Asenath H. Longley of Milton Mills.

George W. Longley, a woolen mill folder, aged thirty-six years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Asenath H. Longley, a woolen mill binder, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). George W. Longley owned their house, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles S. Wentworth, a woods laborer, aged sixty years (b. NH), and H. Powers Robbins, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH).

George W. (Asenath H.) Longley appeared in the Milton directory of 1930, as employed at Townsend’s, with his house at Milton Mills. Brother-in-law Perley Rowell had his house at Milton Mills.

Perley A. Rowell, a milk dealer (own business), aged fifty-two 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 twenty-nine years), Myrtie C. (Cooley) Rowell, aged forty-nine years (b. ME), and his mother-in-law, A.M. [((Gilman) Cooley)] Longley, aged seventy-one years (b. ME). Perley A. Rowell owned their house on School Street, which was valued at $1,000. They did not have a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Eugene H. Ayer, a telephone co. agent, aged seventy-six years (b. ME), and Hattie M. Rines, aged seventy-one years (b. NH).

George Longley, a farmer (general farming), aged forty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Asenath [(Hargraves)] Longley, aged twenty-five years (b. NH). George Longley owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $2,500. They had a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of A.T. Dean, a retired musician, aged seventy-three years (b. NJ), and R.D. Cloutman, a dry goods salesman, aged fifty-four years (b. NH).

Mother A. [Annastazzia] Mae ((Gilman) Cooley) Longley died of a stomach ulcer and marked gastritis on Heaton Street in Rochester, NH, May 25, 1932, aged seventy-two years, nine months, and seventeen days. Louis L. Gilman, M.D. signed the death certificate.

Funeral of Mrs. May Longley. SKOWHEGAN, June 1. Funeral services for Mrs. May Longley, whose death occurred at Milton Mills, N.H., Wednesday, were held Saturday afternoon in that town. Mrs. Longley was the sister of Edmund Gilman of the Lakewood road. She was born in Brighton about 75 years ago, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Gilman She was twice married. Her first husband was a Mr. Cooley. By that marriage she had two children. Her second husband was John Longley of Solon who died many years ago. She is survived by two children: Mrs. Perley Rowell and George Longley of Milton Mills, N.H., and the brother Edmund Gilman (June 1, 1932).

MILTON MILLS. George Longley has been having steel put on a roof recently (Farmington News, November 16, 1934).

Asenath H. (Hargraves) Longley died in Milton, June 15, 1935, aged fifty-two years, six months, and five days.

MILTON MILLS. Everybody in town was deeply touched and saddened last Saturday when word was received of the passing of one whom we all had loved and liked. Asenath (Hargraves) Longley, wife of George W. Longley, passed away Saturday evening, June 15, at the hospital in Rochester, after a brief illness. Mrs. Longley was born in Milton Mills, December 10, 1882. Her parents were Edwin A. and Amanda (Page) Hargraves. She was united in marriage with Mr. Longley on April 29, 1908, at Solon, Me. For several years she had been employed as a blanket binder at the Miltonia mills and her services were greatly valued. She was a member of the Sunrise Rebekah lodge of this town. Mrs. Longley was a good woman, kind hearted and always willing to lend a hand to anyone in trouble. She will be missed in the home, lodge, place of business and by hosts of friends. Besides her husband, she is survived by an aunt, Clara Lowd, several cousins and other relatives. Funeral was held at the home Wednesday afternoon, June 19, with Rev. Frank H. Snell officiating, and interment was in the local cemetery (Farmington News, June 21, 1935).

Milton sent George W. Longley to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative for the 1937-38 biennium.

George W. Longley married (2nd) in Milton, May 21, 1938, Thyra Elizabeth (Swenson) Benson, both of Milton Mills. He was a widowed hotel clerk, aged fifty-five years (b. Bingham, ME), and she was a divorced housewife, aged fifty-four years (b. Sweden). Rev. Leland L. Maxwell performed the ceremony. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden, July 15, 1879, daughter of Svante and Hilda C. (Lundgren) Swenson. (Her first husband had been Gustaf E. Benson of Belmont, MA).

MILTON MILLS. By Alfred Lewis. Benson-Longley. A wedding of considerable interest took place here Saturday, May 21, when Mrs. Thyra E. Benson, formerly of Watertown, Mass., became the wife of George W. Longley of this place, present representative to the New Hampshire State Legislature from Milton. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Maxfield, pastor of the Community Church of Milton at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. Henry A. Townsend. Only close relatives attended (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 26, 1938).

SKOWHEGAN. Mr. and Mrs. Perley Rowell and Mr. and Mrs. George W. Longley of Milton Mills were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Gilman the last of the week. Accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Gilman they attended the Gilman-Spofford reunion at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Adams in Solon on Sunday (Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME), August 30, 1939).

George Longley, aged fifty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Thyra E. [((Swenson) Benson)] Longley, aged sixty years (b. Sweden). George Longley owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $1,500. They had resided in the same place, i.e., Milton, in 1935. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Robert Page, a barber (barber shop), aged sixty-three years (b. NH), and I.V. Townsend, aged seventy-two years (b. NH).

Longley, GW - 1942George Winfield Longley registered for the WW II military draft in Milton, April 27, 1942. His address was Post Office Box #62, Milton Mills. He was aged fifty-nine years (b. Bingham, ME, March 9, 1883) and employed by [his sister-in-law,] Mrs. Ingeborg V. Townsend of Milton Mills. George Winfield Longley was 5′ 6″ tall and weighed 115 pounds. He had brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion. His wife was Mrs. Thyra E. Longley of Milton Mills.

Milton sent George W. Longley to Concord, NH, again as its NH State Representative for the 1941-42 and 1943-44 biennia.

Brother-in-law Perley A. Rowell died in Milton, July 20, 1948, aged seventy-one years.

Perley A. Rowell. Milton Mills, N.H., July 25. Funeral services for Perley A. Rowell, 71, a native of Solon, Me., and widely known local resident who was mail carrier here for many years were held Saturday afternoon in the Methodist Church. The Rev. Roland L. Thornton officiated and the Miltonia Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member, attended in a body and there was a large delegation from the Sunrise Rebekah Lodge. Burial was in the Milton Mills Cemetery with the committal service in charge of the Rev. Mr. Thornton. Bearers were: Jacob Stevens, George Marsh, Daniel Jenness, and Fred Carswell, Jr. (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), July 26, 1948).

Ingeborg V. Townsend, a widow, aged fifty-eight years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. Her household included her brother-in-law, George W. Longley, a grammar school janitor, aged sixty-seven years (b. ME), and her sister, Thyra E. [((Swenson) Benson)] Longley, aged sixty-eight years (b. Sweden).

WRITE-INS NAMED. Milton – At last week’s primary Charles Piper was given 22 votes by Republicans as 3rd nominee for checklist supervisor. George W. Longley received 102 votes and Bard Plummer 118. Democrats named Emma T. Ramsay with 22. For state representative, 22 Democrats named F. Everett McIntire, and he will oppose Ruth H. Dawson, who polled 94. In all 146 Republicans voted and 98 Democrats (Farmington News, September 20, 1956).

Thyra E. ((Swenson) Benson) Longley died of an acute myocardial infarction at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH, December 22, 1956, aged seventy-seven years, five months, and seven days. Percy C. Grigg, M.D., signed the death certificate.

MILTON MILLS. By Alfred Lewis. Mrs. Thyra Longly. Mrs. Thyra Longly, wife of George Longly, died Saturday, Dec. 22, at the Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden, July 15, 1879. Funeral services were held in the Methodist Church, Dec. 26, with James Batten, pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. James Cursy. Arrangements were in charge of Clarence Peaslee of Union. She is survived by her husband, three sisters, Mrs. Edith Serberg of Quincy, Mass., Mrs. Ruth Dawson of Milton, N.H., and Mrs. Ingborg Townsend of this place; a brother, Harold Swenson, California; three nieces and one nephew. Interment was in Milton Mills cemetery. Damon Pike, Warren Reid, Henry Currier, and Charles Willey were pall bearers (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 3, 1957).

Sister Myrtle C. (Cooley) Rowell died in Milton, March 8, 1959, aged seventy-eight years.

MRS. MYRTIE C. ROWELL. ACTON – Mrs. Myrtie C. Rowell, 78, widow of Perley A. Rowell and a resident of Milton Mills, N.H., the last 31 years, died Sunday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Doris Lowd. She had resided with her since becoming ill six months ago. She was born at Brighton, April 8, 1880. Prior to moving to Milton Mills she had resided at Solon where she was a member of the Methodist Church. A member of the Rebekahs for 60 years, she was a member of Sunrise Lodge. Mrs. Rowell was a past noble grand of the lodge and was also a member of the WSCS and the Dorcas Society both of Milton Mills. Besides her daughter, she is survived by a brother, George Longley, Milton Mills, N.H.; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Milton Methodist Church. The Rev. Thomas Stewart, minister, will officiate. Entombment will be at Sanbornville, N.H., with burial in Milton Mills Cemetery (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), March 9, 1959).

The Milton Supervisors of the Check Lists for 1961 were George W. Longley, Charles R. Piper. and Madeline E. Galarneau. George W. Longley ran again for Milton Supervisor of the Checklist in 1962.

MILTON CANDIDATES. Milton local candidates in the primary next month include: For representative, Mrs. Mildred Galarneau, former correspondent for the news; Mrs. Ruth Dawson of the Mills, who served in 1958-59; both Republican. For checklist supervisors, all Republican, George Longley, Charles Piper, Morton Roberts, Fred Eldridge. For Moderator, Lewis Piper, Republican; Everett McIntire, Democrat (August 2, 1962).

MRS. DAWSON VICTOR IN MILTON RACE. Milton – Mrs. Ruth H. Dawson will be the Republican nominee for the General Court. She out polled Madeline Galarneau, a newcomer to politics, 104 to 84. There were 204 Republican and 39 Democrat votes cast Tuesday. The 3 winners for the checklist Job were George W. Longley 143, Charles E. Piper 142, Fred R. Eldridge 118. Loser Merton L. Roberts was backed by 83 (Farmington News, September 13, 1962).

George W. Longley died at Milton Mills, May 21, 1975.


References:

Find a Grave. (2021, May 1). Mae A. Cooley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226333536/mae-a-cooley

Find a Grave. (2016, May 10). Mary Cooley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/162422310/mary-cooley

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). George W. Longley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115431500/george-w-longley

Find a Grave. (2013, June 17). Jonah S. Longley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/112455523/jonah-s-longley

Find a Grave. (2021, May 1). Myrtle C. Cooley Rowell. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226333569/myrtle-c-rowell

Christmas Past – 2023

By Muriel Bristol | December 23, 2023

Here may be found mentions of some Milton Christmas activities from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries:

Acton. The F.W. Baptist church joined with the churches of Milton Mills in a Christmas tree at Fox’s Hall (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 26, 1895).

ACTON. There is to be a Christmas cantata at Milton Mills Christmas eve. … Walter Wentworth and Henry Paris belong to B.J. Grant’s singing class at Milton Mills (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 9, 1897).

CHRISTMAS GREENS. A Beautiful Custom Which Comes to Us From the Romans. The fashion of decking the house with greens as we do at Christmas dates back into old Roman times when a feast in honor of Saturn was celebrated and the temples of the dwellings were dressed with green boughs – possibly a remnant of that tree worship which “in itself’ says Ruskin, “I believe was always healthy” when “the flowers and trees are themselves beheld and beloved with a half worshiping delight which is always noble and healthful.” The plants most in demand for church decoration at Christmas time in England as well as in this country are holly, bay and laurel. English holly is sometimes imported, but the American holly, which come from Virginia and other sections of the south, is a very good substitute for it. The bay is the rarest plant of the three in this country, but ground laurel is commonly sold and is one of the most effective of the Christmas greens. In decorating a room with Christmas greens it should be remembered that a very slight touch of color should be used with green and that the most objectionable of all things is too profuse decoration. Christmas greens are usually kept till after Twelfth Night which occurs on Jan 6, and they should certainly be cleared away by the 2d of February, or Candlemas day, or otherwise, as tradition says a goblin will appear for every green leaf left behind. It certainly must have been a slovenly housewife who would leave her Christmas greens up for so many weeks and goblins of discontent and uncleanliness would be sure to invade such a house. – Philadelphia Times (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 18, 1898).

MILTON, N.H. The churches are getting ready for their Christmas concerts (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 19, 1902).

WEST MILTON. The Inasmuch society entertained the children Thursday afternoon and evening at the chapel. Games were played until 5.30, when the children marched to the dining room where tables laden with many dainties met the eager eyes of the children. A Christmas cake with the words “Merry Christmas” was on a table in the centre of the room, surrounded by burning candles of all colors. As the children left the dining room they were given a piece of the Christmas cake. In the evening a short program and Christmas tree were very much enjoyed by all (Farmington News, January 1, 1904).

MILTON, N.H. – The senior class of the Nute High School held a Christmas sale of Candy, fancy goods, etc., at the high school hall last Friday evening (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 20, 1907).

MILTON MILLS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. The young people of the Free Baptist society presented the comedy drama “The Country Minister,’’ to a large and appreciative audience Monday evening, Dec. 14, in Central hall. The parts were all well taken. There were also specialties between the acts: Solos by Mrs. Eula Buckley, of Milton, and W.E. King, of Deerfield; piano duets by Misses Mary Wentworth and Bessie M. Lewis, and Miss Wentworth and Arthur Berry; reading by George G. Leatherbarrow and a dialogue of local hits by Dr. Grant and Chellis V. Grant (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 24, 1904).

West Milton. At the close of the West Milton school for the Xmas holidays, the annual Christmas tree and exercises were held in the presence of a large number of parents and friends. The decorations were extremely tasty and appropriate and the tree presented a very beautiful spectacle with its trimmings and loads of presents that made many happy little hearts. At the close of the program and distribution of presents, hot chocolate and fancy cakes were served. Mrs. C.B. Canney, the teacher, is spending the holidays with her parents in Dover (Farmington News, December 29, 1911).

West Milton. Mrs. Alice Canney, teacher of the West Milton school, had a Christmas tree at the schoolhouse for the children, inviting the neighbors and friends. The children did themselves great credit in the program, the exercises being excellent. Coffee, cocoa and assorted cake were served to guests and pupils by the teacher. The decorations were very handsome and evidenced a great deal of thought and work on the part of the teacher (Farmington News, December 25, 1914).

West Milton. The West Milton school will close this Friday for the annual two weeks’ Christmas recess. A Christmas tree and appropriate exercises will be held at the schoolhouse on Friday evening (Farmington News, December 17, 1915).

West Milton. The Christmas tree and exercises given at the chapel Monday evening were well attended. A fine literary and musical program was furnished by pupils of Nute Ridge school under direction of the teacher, Miss Ferne McGregor. Presents were distributed among the children of the Sunday school (Farmington News, [Friday,] December 29, 1916).

A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!


See also A West Milton Christmas – 1915

Milton Mechanic Stanley C. Tanner (1892-1971)

By Muriel Bristol | December 17, 2023

Stanley Cleveland Tanner was born in Farmington, NH, October 30, 1892, son of Hervey E. and Mary “Molly” (O’Hare) Tanner.

Stanley Tanner advertised to hire a sober barber in May 1914 (See Milton in the News – 1914).

Stanley Cleaveland Tanner of Milton, NH, aged twenty-four years, registered in Milton, Strafford County, NH, June 5, 1917, for the WW I draft. He was then employed as a fireman for the Y.W.C.A. in Boston, MA. He was tall and slender, with brown eyes and brown hair.

Private 1st Class Stanley C. Tanner left Boston, MA, on the troopship Lancashire, July 19, 1918, with Battery A of the Sixty-Sixth Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps. He left Pauillac, France, February 19, 1919, on the troopship Powhattan, bound for Hoboken, NJ, again with Battery A of the Sixty-Sixth Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps.

Mary A. [(O’Hara)] Tanner, aged fifty-four years (b. Ireland), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. Her household included her children, Eva M. Tanner, a shoe shop stitcher, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), George L. Tanner, an ice company laborer, aged thirty years (b. NH), Marion L. Tanner, a shoe shop stitcher, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Stanley C. Tanner, an ice company fireman, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), Charles Edwin Tanner, a leather-board laborer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Consuelo Tanner, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), Patrick J. Tanner, a tire repair shop owner, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Eleanor T. Tanner, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Audrey Y. Tanner, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and Herbey C. Tanner, aged fifteen years (b. NH); her daughter-in-law, Vila L. [(Kimball)] Turner, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and her grandson, Lloyd C. Turner, aged eight months (b. NH). Mary A. Turner was a naturalized citizen, having immigrated in 1892. They resided on Charles Street in Milton Village.

Stanley Tanner appeared in a list of Sixth Degree Initiates, from the NH State Grange proceedings held in Rochester, NH, December 9, 1925. Other Milton initiates were Samuel Blaisdell, Mrs. Margaret Butler, Mrs. Addie Chase, Arthur Columbus, Cordelia Davidson, Mrs. Addie M. Dixon, Ernest Dickson, Franklin Dickson, Amy Dixon, Paul Dixon, Wayne Dixon, George A. Downing, Josephine Downing, Mrs. Annette Downs, Catherine Ham, Mrs. Hattie M. Innes, Margaret Lover, Bernard Paey, Mrs. Elizabeth Perry, Fred A. Perry, Mrs. Addie Place, George M. Place, Mrs. Marion Roberts, Enaise St. John, Frank S. Tuttle, and Mrs. Susie Williams (NH State Grange, 1925). There was no indication as to which of Milton’s two Granges the various initiates came.

Father Hervey E. Tanner died of arthritis deformans at the Strafford County Farm in Dover, NH, December 25, 1929, aged sixty-six years, four months, and twenty-five days. He was a carpenter. D.L. Stokes signed the death certificate.

Mary [(O’Hare)] Tanner, aged sixty-three years (b. N. Ireland), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her children, George L. Tanner, a garage mechanic, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), Stanley C. Tanner, a garage mechanic, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Charles E. Tanner, a house carpenter, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and Hervey C. Tanner, a barber (barber shop), aged twenty-five years (b. NH). Mary Tanner rented their house on Charles Street, for $11 per month. They had a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ernest Carpenter, aged seventy years (b. NH), and Gustave W. Dorhn, a summer hotel chef, aged sixty-seven years (b. Germany).

Stanley C. Tanner married in Milton, November 15, 1931, Cordelia Frances Davidson, both of Milton. He was a garage man, aged thirty-nine years, and she was a public health nurse, aged thirty-five years. Rev. Fred Bannister performed the ceremony. She was born in Bethel, Quebec, Canada, March 29, 1895, daughter of Frank and Maude (Waterson) Davidson.

Milton sent Stanley C. Tanner to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative, for the 1935-36 biennium.

MILTON. A local rehabilitation committee was formed this week, comprised of the board of selectmen, Representative Stanley C. Tanner, Red Cross Nurse Miss Northwood, Mrs. Charles Piper, and Samuel Blaisdell. The first work contemplated by the committee will be the cutting of fifty cords of wood (Farmington News, December 7, 1934).

Bay State Shoe Firm Reverses Decision. Stanley Tanner, chairman of the citizens’ committee of Milton, N.H., a town eight miles outside of Rochester, late last week announced that negotiations had been called off in regard to the Salem Shoe Mfg. Co. of Salem, Mass., moving to Milton (American Shoemaking, 1935).

The Milton Selectmen of 1938 were Phillip G. Hayes, Frank F. Spencer, and Stanley C. Tanner. The Milton Selectmen of 1939 were Frank F. Spencer, Stanley C. Tanner, and Leroy J. Ford.

The Milton Selectmen of 1940 were Stanley C. Tanner, Leroy J. Ford, and Edward R. Stone.

Stanley C. Tanner, a real estate broker, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Cordelia D. [(Davidson)] Tanner, aged forty-four years (b. Canada). Stanley C. Tanner owned their house in the Milton Community, which was valued at $900. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Carrie B. Leighton, a widow, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), and James V. Regan, a leatherboard laborer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH). They had both resided in the same house in 1935.

ROCHESTER, N.H. County Solicitor John F. Beamis, Monday night, gave the outgoing sheriff and deputies a banquet at the London Room of the Fernald-Hackett restaurant. Present were Sheriff Clyde R. Cotton and Deputies Robert E. Drew, Farmington; Lyman Plummer, Milton; Ralph W. Dunlap, Rochester, and Ernest Valley of Somersworth. The sheriff and his deputies will conclude their duties tonight and Wednesday will be succeeded by Democratic Sheriff Stephen W. Scruton and staff. Sheriff Scruton has named as deputies Frank D. Callaghan of Rochester, John Lepene of Farmington and Stanley C. Tanner of Milton. All had served previously with Mr. Scruton (Evening Express (Portland, ME), December 31, 1940).

Mother-in-law Marie Amanda (LaRiviere) Davidson died in Upper Melbourne, Richmond, Quebec, April 6, 1942.

Stanley Cleveland Tanner of Main Steet, Milton [Mills], registered for the WW II draft, April 30, 1942. He was aged forty-nine years, having been born in Farmington, NH, October 30, 1892. He was employed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, in Kittery, ME. He was 5′ 10″ tall, weighed 180 lbs., with brown hair, gray eyes, and a dark complexion. His next of kin was Cordelia D. Tanner, of Main Steet, MIlton [Mills].

Stanley C. Tanner received a five-year appointment as a Milton Notary Public, April 7, 1943.

Stanley C. Tanner, a realtor for Country Property, Inc., advertised several large Milton properties for sale in Spring 1945, and a poultry farm for sale in February 1947. (See Milton in the News – 1945 and Milton in the News – 1947).

Stanley C. Tanner received a five-year renewal appointment as a Milton Notary Public, March 26, 1948.

Stanley C Tanner - FN481029Stanley C. Tanner, a Strafford County Commissioner, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Cordelia D. [(Davidson)] Tanner, an insurance agent, aged fifty-four years (b. Canada), and his lodgers, Charlotte B. Carpenter, aged ten years (b. NH), and Patrick McCartin, a fibreboard mill fireman, aged fifty-one years (b. Ireland). They resided in the “1st house on the left” when “Proceeding north on State Highway No. 16 from the intersection of Farmington Rd. on left and Mill St. on right.”

Mother Mary A. (O’Hare) Tanner died of cardio-circulatory collapse in Milton, May 26, 1952, aged eighty-seven years. She was a housewife, native of Ireland, and a forty-five year resident of Milton, i.e., she had arrived there from Farmington, NH, circa 1906-07. Robert E. Lord, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Eight Ask Three Seats. Strafford county has four Republicans and four Democrats bidding for the three commissioner seats now held by Democrats. They are Democrats Lucien G. Paradis of Rochester and Stanley C. Tanner of Milton asking reelection, and Carroll E. Hall of Dover and Alden J. Doherty of Rollinsford. The Republicans are George A. Young of Rochester, John M. Brant of Barrington, and ex-Rep. Paul G. Kardavelas and H. Howard Hartford of Dover (Concord Monitor (Concord, NH), July 25, 1952).

COUNTY COMMISSIONER TANNER ASKS FOR RECOUNT OF ELECTION BALLOTS. County Commissioner Stanley C. Tanner, democrat, of Milton has petitioned lor a recount of Strafford county ballots, following the outcome of the November 4 election, it was learned late last week Tanner was defeated in his quest for reelection by George A. Young of Rochester by a relatively close margin. Farmington ballots were collected last Friday night by the county sheriff Moses Pare of Somersworth, but no date was given for the recount. It was also learned that several other defeated office seekers had asked for a recount (Farmington News, November 14, 1952).

Stanley C. Tanner received a five-year renewal appointment as a Milton Notary Public, March 13, 1953.

Stanley C Tanner - FN541029There were two Democratic filings for the [NH State] Senate: Paul E. Provost of Manchester in the 18th district and Stanley C. Tanner of Milton in the 20th district (Concord Monitor, July 18, 1956).

Half of 24 State Senators Seek Reelection This Fall. … The Democrats have hot primary contests for their two other areas. In Manchester’s District 18, there are five battling it out to succeed Sen. Thomas B. O’Malley, who is running for the Executive Council. These contestants are Reps. William W. Corey and George L. Lavoie, Paul E. Provost, Joseph B. DesRochers and Harold T. Laughlin. In the other normally Democratic center, District 20, ex-Mayor Sumner W. Watson of Rochester is contesting with Lucien E. Bergeron of Rochester and Stanley C. Tanner of Milton to succeed Sen. J. Paul LaRoche of Rochester (Nashua Telegraph (Nashua, NH), August 14, 1956).

REAL ESTATE. Stanley C. Tanner and Cordelia D. Tanner to Francis H. Fifield and Marjorie V. Fifield, land and building on the state highway in Milton (Farmington News, December 6, 1956).

Stanley C. Tanner and John G. Gilman were the Milton Selectmen that walked along the Milton-Middleton border when the septennial town line perambulation took place in January 1958.

LINE PERAMBULATED. Middleton and Milton selectmen spent three days last week walking the town line – a chore performed every 7 years. John Gilman and Stanley Tanner were the Milton selectmen and Donald Francoeur represented Middleton (Farmington News, January 9, 1958).

Town Line - Farmington-Rochester

(Had these septennial perambulations, or “beating the bounds” walks, continued on schedule, they would have taken place in 1965, 1972, 1979, 1986, 1993, 2000, 2007, 2014, and 2021 and would take place next in 2028. (I have seen town boundary markers on the Farmington-Rochester (pictured above) and Barnstead-New Durham boundary lines)).

Stanley C. Tanner received a five-year renewal appointment as a Milton Notary Public, April 30, 1958.

Cordelia F. (Davidson) Tanner served on the decorations committee for the Democrat state convention held at the state armory building in Manchester, NH, September 27-28, 1958.

Mrs. Alice Davis of Manchester is chairman of the decorations committee. Serving on the committee will be Helen Desjardins of Rollinsford, Ann Moher of Dover, Mary Campbell of Rochester, Mrs. Cordelia Tanner of Milton, Eileen Foley of Portsmouth, Mrs. Frances Adams of Exeter, Ruth Dunfey of Hampton and Mrs. Walter Kretowiac of Keene (Concord Monitor, September 28, 1958).

Daughter Charlotte Lee Tanner married at the Church of the Redeemer in Rochester, NH, July 2, 1960, Harris Edward “Harry” Twitchell, she of South Main Street on Milton and he of Whitehall Road in Rochester, NH. She was a student, aged twenty-one years, and he was a painter, aged twenty-three years. Rev. Donald H. Marsh performed the ceremony. Twitchell was born in Rochester, NH, circa 1937, son of Franklin W. and Doris M. (Ramsdell) Twitchell.

Stanley C. Tanner was installed as service officer of the Oscar G. Morehouse Post of the American Legion and its Auxiliary in 1961. (Oscar G. Morehouse was a former schoolteacher at the Nute Ridge district schoolhouse, who had died during WW I).

Legion, Auxiliary To Install Slates. Milton – The Milton Grammar school will be the site Saturday night for the installation of the officers of the Oscar G. Morehouse Post, No. 61, American Legion and Auxiliary. Commander Frank E. McIntire will be flanked by these aides, Raymond E. Wilkinson, first vice commander, Arthur L. Chase, second vice commander, Charles E. Tanner, adjutant, Bard Plummer, finance officer, Wilfred Gobert, chaplain, Charles E. Tanner, historian, Stanley C. Tanner, service officer, William A. Fabian sergeant at arms (Farmington News, April 20, 1961).

Stanley C. Tanner lost to Charles H. Logan in the Milton town election of March 1963.

Milton Elects Logan Selectman. Milton Republican Charles H. Logan defeated democratic incumbent Stanley C. Tanner, 318 to 108, in Tuesday’s election in Milton. In other contested offices, George W. Meyers lost to republican Charles R. Whitehouse, by a vote of 319 to 95; Milton Mills police, Edwin Hutchins, R., 148, Frederick Meyers, 43, Fred Morrill, 98, Norman Place, 70; 2nd engineer in the fire department, Donald Cheney, 244, Robert McIntire, 132. Pauline Clough was elected trustee of trust funds on a write-in. The other offices were uncontested. Town meeting was held and most of the articles were passed without much controversy. Article 25, which had to do with a preliminary report and plan preparation for sewerage and sewage treatment facilities was passed with a provision that the jobs be put up for bid (Farmington News, March 14, 1963).

Stanley C. Tanner was again installed as service officer of the Oscar G. Morehouse Post of the American Legion and its Auxiliary in 1963.

AMERICAN LEGION. Both the American Legion and the Auxiliary of the Oscar G. Morehouse Post #61 held an installation of officers at the monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 5, at the Legion Hall. Refreshments were served under the direction of Mrs. Dana Armstrong following the ceremonies. Friends who were invited attended this public meeting. Officers elected were Commander of the Legion Merton Roberts, Senior Vice Commander Edwin K. Boggs, Junior Vice Commander Arthur Chase, Adjutant Robert Taatjes, Sergeant-at-Arms William Fabian, Historian Charles E. Tanner, Chaplain William Gilman, Finance Officer Bard Plummer, Service Officer Stanley C. Tanner, Charles Logan Child Welfare Officer. Auxiliary President Mrs. Eva Perry, Senior Vice President, Mrs. Thelma Ellis, Sergeant at Arms Mrs. Rita Tanner, Historian Mrs. Ruth Dawson, Secretary Treasurer Mrs. Madeline Burroughs (Farmington News, May 6, 1965).

Stanley C. Tanner died in Manchester, NH, November 24, 1971, aged seventy-nine years.

OBITUARIES. Stanley C. Tanner. Stanley C. Tanner, 79, of Main Street, died at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Manchester, Nov. 24, after a long illness. A native of Farmington, he had lived here most of his life. He had owned and operated Tanner Brothers Garage for many years. He was a 50-year member of Oscar Moorehouse American Legion Post and a member of the World War I Barracks of Somersworth. He had been a Strafford County Commissioner, a member of the General Court, a deputy sheriff, a selectman, a precinct commissioner, a real estate operator, a blueberry grower, and a town service officer. The family includes his wife, Cordelia (Davidson) Tanner, a daughter, Mrs. Harry Twitchell of Rochester, two brothers, Charles E. Tanner and Hervey C. Tanner, both of Milton, four sisters, Miss Marion Tanner of Derry, Miss Connie Tanner of Boston, and Mrs. Audrey Lawson and Miss Mildred Tanner, both of Milton; a grandchild, and nieces and nephews. Services were conducted at the C.E. Peaslee and Son Funeral Home, 32 Central St., Farmington, by the Rev. Donald H. Marsh, rector of the Church of the Redeemer (Farmington News, December 2, 1971).

Cordelia F. (Davidson) Tanner died in Rochester, NH, August 13, 1985.


References:

Find a Grave. (2021, June 20). Hervey E. Tanner. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/228712155/hervey-edwin-tanner

Find a Grave. (2021, May 14). Stanley C. Tanner. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226905953/stanley-c-tanner

NH State Grange (1925). Journal of Proceedings of the New Hampshire State Grange. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=YGAkAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA6-PA75

Milton Shoe Cutter Fred S. Hartford (1872-1939)

By Muriel Bristol | December 10, 2023

Fred S. Hartford was born in Rochester, NH, in 1872, son of William F. “Frank” and Mary Esther “Esta” (Randall) Hartford.

(Note the dropping of the letter “r” in “Esther” by someone spelling his mother’s nickname as a non-rhotic “Yankee” speaker might pronounce it).

Annie [(Willand)] Randall, keeping house, aged seventy-years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. Her household included her son-in-law, Frank W. Hartford, works on farm, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), her daughter, Esther [(Randall)] Hartford, keeping house, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and her grandchildren, Eva G. Hartford, aged ten years (b. NH), and Fred Hartford, aged eight years (b. NH). They resided on Wakefield Street. (Grandparents Albert F. and Annie (Willand) Randall were divorced).

Parents William F. and Mary E. (Randall) Hartford divorced in Strafford County court, September 4, 1883. She alleged drunkenness (one had to allege something).

Mother Mary E. [(Randall)] Hartford married (2nd) in Great Falls, Somersworth, NH, June 18, 1884, Charles A. McDuffie, both of Strafford, NH. He was a shoemaker, aged thirty-eight years, and she was a general worker, aged thirty-seven years. Rev. Thomas Tyrie performed the ceremony.

Fred S. Hartford married in Milton, July 25, 1891, Hattie E. Downs, both of Milton. He was a shoe cutter, aged twenty years, and she was a shoe stitcher, aged twenty-one years. Rev. John Manter performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, in 1871, daughter of Albert F. and Dorothy M. “Dora” (Tuttle) Downs. (Her father had been a private in the 1st NH Heavy Artillery during the Civil War).

Anack’s Diary. September came in with greatly needed rain. On the 14th, Thursday, fire was discovered in G.B. Wentworth’s shoe shop opposite the railway station, and the building was burned rapidly up (or down) to ruins. The house of Albert Downs was on fire several times, by reason of nearness to the shop (Farmington News, May 19, 1899).

Dora [(Tuttle)] Downs, a homekeeper, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Her household included her daughter, Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), her son-in-law (of nine years), Fred S. Hartford, a shoe cutter, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), her son-in-law, George W. Paey, a shoe finisher, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), her daughter, Josie M. [(Downs)] Paey, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), and her son, Fred Downs, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Dora Downs rented their house. She was the mother of six children, of whom five were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Howland, a clothing dealer, aged thirty-two years (b. VT), and William Randall, a shoe edge cutter, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME).

Fred S. Hartford was one of seven assistant marshals at the Milton Centennial celebration, August 30, 1902.

Fred S. Hartford was elected as one of three Trustees for three years at a meeting of Madokawanda Tribe, No. 21, I.O.R.M., i.e., the Red Men fraternal society, in January 1904.

Fred S. Hartford was the chief marshal at the Milton Dramatic Club’s 2nd annual masque ball, at the A.O.U.W. Hall at Milton Three Ponds, January 8, 1904. He and Mrs. Hartford led ninety-two couples in a dance march at the event.

Fred S. Hartford and George E. Jordan were elevated to the degree of Master Mason at a special meeting of Fraternal Lodge, A.F. and A.M., in February 1905 (Farmington News, March 3, 1905).

Fred S. Hartford appeared in the Milton business directory of 1909, as a hairdresser, i.e., barber, and laundry agent.

Father-in-law Albert F. Downs died of acute cardiac dilation in Milton, June 28, 1909, aged sixty years, eleven months, and one day. (He had been back in Milton from Togus, ME, for one week). James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Fred Hartford, a barber (own shop), aged thirty-two 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 eighteen years), Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Dora M. [(Tuttle)] Downs, aged sixty-two years, and his brother-in-law, Fred Downs, leather (shoe factory), aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Dora M. Downs was the mother of six children, of whom five were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Florenta Berry, a widow, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and James D. Pinkham, a news dealer, aged forty-three years (b. NH).

Fred S. Hartford appeared in the Milton business directory of 1912, as a hairdresser, i.e., barber, pool room proprietor, laundry agent, and local deputy sheriff.

Stepmother Anna L. (Haremore) Hartford died a sudden death at 2 Park Street in Dover, NH, December 4, 1912, aged fifty-nine years, five months, and seventeen days. She was a married shoe operator. H.O. Chesley, M.D., signed the death certificate. (“Probably Heart, did not see here before death”).

Father William F. Hartford died of gastric carcinoma in Milton, November 19, 1913, aged sixty-five years, seven months, and fifteen days. He was a widowed shoemaker. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

The NH State Board of Health reported that Fred S. Hartford was the local Milton Executive Health Officer in 1916. The NH State Laboratory had undertaken twenty-six bacterial examinations of Milton Mills samples in the years 1914-16, of which three were positive and twenty-three were negative. Five tests were made for suspected tuberculosis, of which one was positive and four were negative. Two tests were made in Milton Mills for suspected diphtheria, of which both were negative (NH State Board of Health, 1916).

Fred S. Hartford appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as foreman of cutting, at the M. [Milton] Shoe Co., boarding at Dora M. Downs’ house at 58 Main street. (His late father, William F. Hartford, appeared also, as a shoe operative, who had died November 19, 1913, aged sixty-five years).

Fred S. Hartford, a cutter (shoe shop), aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, a box maker (leatherboard), aged forty-eight years (b. NH), and his mother-in-law, Dora M. [(Tuttle)] Downs, a widow, aged seventy-one years (b. NH). Fred S. Hartford rented their house in “Upper Main St.” in Milton Village. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Frank M. Tibbetts, a sawyer (sawmill), aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and Wilbur F. Abbott, a laborer (leatherboard), aged thirty-nine years (b. NH).

Milton sent Fred S. Hartford to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative, for the 1921-22 biennium.

Mother Mary E. [((Randall) Hartford)] McDuffee of Rochester, NH, made her last will, August 10, 1921. She devised her home and its five acres of land in Rochester, NH, to her daughter, Gertude E. [(Randall)] Duclow; and her fifteen-acre woodlot (on the opposite side of the street from her home place) to her son, Fred S. Hartford. She appointed her daughter and son as joint executors, without need of bond. Adeline A. Wright, Edgar F. Foss, and William Wright signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 155:520).

Mother Mary E. ((Randall) Hartford) McDuffee died of bronchitis in Rochester, NH, December 17, 1923, aged seventy-seven years, three months, and thirteen days. John H. Bates signed the death certificate. Her last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, April 1, 1924 (Strafford County Probate, 155:520).

Mother-in-law Dorothy M. “Dora” (Tuttle) Downs died of exhaustion following pneumonia in Milton, January 11, 1924, aged seventy-five years, four months, and thirty days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Fred S. Hartford, a shoe cutter, aged fifty-eight 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), Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH). Fred S. Hartford rented their house on North Main Street, for $18 per month. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Wilbur Abbott, a laborer (fibre mill), aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and Chas. O. Skillings, a machinist (fibre mill), aged fifty-two years (b. NH).

Fred S. (Hattie S.) Hartford appeared in the Rochester, NH, directories of 1933, 1935, and 1936, as city marshal, with his house at 1 McDuffee avenue.

FIND MISSING BOY AS RESULT OF ACCIDENT. Rochester, July 26. An automobile accident near Danvers, Mass., revealed the whereabouts of David Young, 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Atwood Young of the Strafford section, who has been missing since Friday, July 13, with the result the boy was back home last night, recovering: from his injuries. Nearly two weeks ago Young, who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds, stopped hoeing the garden, took his bicycle and started on a trip. His mother reported to City Marshal Fred S. Hartford’ he was last seen: riding his wheel on the Strafford and Gonic road, and no trace of him was found until early yesterday, when he was taken to Danvers hospital as the result of being struck by an automobile. The hospital authorities notified his parents and he was brought home. Dislike of a neighbor caused him to leave home, he said (Portsmouth Herald, July 26, 1934).

VALUABLES IN SAFE STOLEN IN ROCHESTER, N.H. BREAK. ROCHESTER, N.H., Oct 9. – When Lawrence Ballou went to his laundry on Portland st. this morning, he found the safe door opened, the door to the strong box broken and money and valuables stolen. From the safe were taken two watches, $22 in money, a box of old coins, a $50 Liberty bond and other articles. City Marshal Fred S. Hartford sent for Ivan Hayes, fingerprint expert at Concord, to help him investigate the case (Boston Globe, October 10, 1934.

POLICE CHIEF FINDS WOMAN DEAD IN HOME. Rochester, April 15. Etta L. Morrill, aged about 80, widow of John G. Merrill, former business man, was found dead in her home on Academy street yesterday afternoon by City Marshal Fred S. Hartford. She had evidently risen and was stricken with a heart attack (Portsmouth Herald, April 16, 1935).

NEW HAMPSHIRE FORGER MAKES ONE BIG ERROR. DIDN’T KNOW WOMAN NEVER USES “MRS.” WHEN SIGNING CHECKS. Rochester, N.H., May 4. – (AP) – Charles Harrington, 30, learned to his distress today that Mrs. Lillian Sanborn never uses “Mrs.” when she signs checks. An official of the Public National bank here also knew that Mrs. Sanborn omitted the “Mrs.” and notified her when he found five checks for $23 each signed by “Mrs.” Sanborn. City Marshal Fred S. Hartford arrested Harrington who pleaded guilty to forgery in Municipal court. He was held in $2,000 bail for the September term of Superior court. Harrington said he lived in Rochester (Lewiston Daily Sun (Lewiston, ME), May 5, 1936).

G-MEN CLAIM KIDNAP HOAX. Rochester, Oct. 1. – City Marshal Fred S. Hartford last night told newspapermen that G-Men who had been investigating the alleged kidnaping of Miss Marie H. Newbury, 24, local sales girl, beauty contest winner and amateur actress, had called by telephone and said the case was closed. At the time the young woman was supposed to be enroute to New York last Saturday afternoon with two armed men she was in a Boston theatre, they concluded. Miss Newbury returned home Sunday, saying she had been kidnapped last Saturday, taken by force to Greenwich, and escaped from her captors there by a ruse. Monday night two men from the Boston office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation came here and questioned Miss Newbury for several hours in the office of City Marshal Hartford, but were unable to shake her story. Questioned at her home on Charles street by newspapermen regarding the accusation of the G-Men, Miss Newbury said she had no statement to make (Portsmouth Hearld, October 1, 1937).

Fred S. (Hattie S.) Hartford appeared in the Rochester, NH, directories of 1938, as city marshal, with his house at Wakefield, NH.

Fred S. Hartford died in New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA, June 24, 1939, aged sixty-seven years.

Rochester City Marshal Dies. Rochester, June 26 – City Marshal Fred S. Hartford, 67, head of Rochester police department for the past six years, died Saturday at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, where he underwent a surgical operation about a month ago. Soon afterward he started a decline and failed steadily to the end despite the efforts of a number of officers of the department who made numerous trips to Boston and gave blood for transfusions. Marshal Hartford, a native of Massachusetts, came to Rochester [??] years ago from Milton. When the City council elected him as successor to City Marshal Harvey D. [Smith], he had previously been a [member] of the staff of the late sheriff Fred E. Goodwin. He was a shoe cutter by trade and had worked in shoe factories in Stoneham, Mass., Milton and East Rochester. He was a great lover of horses and years ago had served as starter at the Rochester Fair races and was a member of the old Rochester Driving Club. He was president of the Rochester Police Association and was a Mason. He is survived by his widow, Hattie S. Hartford (Portsmouth Herald, June 26, 1939).

George W. Paey, a finishing room foreman (shoe shop), aged sixty-eight years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Josie M. [(Downs)] Paey, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), his sister-in-law, Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), and his daughter, Evelyn Paey, a houseworker (private houses), aged thirty years (b. NH). George W. Paey owned their house, which was valued at $800. They had all resided in the same house in 1935. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hazel Simmonds, housework (private family), aged fifty-two years (b. Nova Scotia), and Herbert O. Perkins, stitching room foreman (shoe shop), aged forty-three years (b. NH).

Ina A. [(Come)] Downs, a tea room proprietor (tea room & food store), aged fifty-four years (b. VT), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. Her household included her sister-in-law, Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), and her lodger, Charles Brown, aged nineteen years (b. NY).

Hattie E. (Downs) Hartford died in 1952.


References:

Find a Grave. (2020, August 18). Albert Frederick Downs. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/214561013/albert-frederick-downs

Find a Grave. (2021, August 8). Fred S. Hartford. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230496885/fred-s-hartford

NH State Board of Health. (1916). Report of the State Board of Health of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=C9BKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA327

Milton Merchant George E. Jordan (1876-1961)

By Muriel Bristol | December 3, 2023

George Edward Jordan was born in Milton, July 30, 1876, son of George I. and Elizabeth A. “Lizzie” (Downs) Jordan.

George Jordan, a picker stick maker, aged sixty-four years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-eight years), Lizzie [(Downs)] Jordan, aged sixty years (b. NH), and his son, G. Edward Jordan, a picker stick maker, aged twenty-four years (b. NH). George Jordan owned their house, free-and-clear. Lizzie Jordan was the mother of five children, of whom three were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of William Ramsdell, a shoe edge setter, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), and Fred M. Chamberlain, a hotel keeper, aged forty-two years (b. NH).

[Picker stick: a wooden lever that transmits the crank action of a loom motion into the thrust which drives the shuttle across the loom (Merriam-Webster, 2023)].

MILTON. George I. Jordan is quite sick (Farmington News, June 7, 1901).

Mother Elizabeth A. (Downs) Jordan died of chronic gastritis in Milton, October 13, 1904, aged sixty-three years, nine months, and sixteen days. She had resided in Milton for forty years, i.e., circa 1864, with her previous residence having been in Wolfeboro, NH. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate. (Undertaker A.A. Fox of Milton Mills made the funeral arrangements).

LOCAL. Mrs. George I. Jordan of Milton has passed away, after a long and trying sickness, aged 63 years, 9 months, 16 day[s]. Mrs. Jordan was Elizabeth Downs and is the fifth of the family to die within a few years. She leaves a husband, two sons and one daughter, Dr. Frank Jordan of Fryeburg, Me., G. Ed. Jordan and Mrs. Elmer E. Ramsdell of this place. The funeral was held Saturday, Rev. C.B. Osborne officiating (Farmington News, October 28, 1904).

The Fraternal Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Farmington, NH, conferred the Master Mason degree upon George E. Jordan and Fred S. Hartford, both of Milton, in 1905.

CHIP’S CONTRIBUTION. A special meeting of Fraternal Lodge, A.F. and A.M., was held Saturday evening for the purpose of conferring the Master Mason’s degree on candidates George E. Jordan and Fred S. Hartford. Arthur B. Jefferson, D.D.G.M., Nashua, and Charles L Wentworth, D.D.L.G., of Rochester were present to witness the work and complimented the officers in pleasing terms for the way in which the degrees were conferred and the manner in which the affairs of the lodge were conducted. Visitors from out of town were Dr. C.G. Rogers, C.H. Brigham, Union; Hazen Plummer, Fred B. Roberts, James H. Willey, Hazen W. Downs, George I. Jordan, S. Lyman Hayes, Charles A. Horn, Joseph D. Willey, Milton; George L. Young, George W. Pendexter, Eugene C. Howard, Rochester. At the close off work all repaired to the banquet hall in Odd Fellows hall where an oyster supper was in readiness, and an hour was happily spent, when all returned home well pleased with the entertainment of the evening (Farmington News, March 3, 1905).

George E. Jordan was assistant marshal of a parade held in Milton by the “Red Men” fraternal organization, in May 1908.

MILTON. The Madokowando Tribe, I.O.R.M., with neighboring tribes of Farmington, Ossipee and Conway, held their district meeting here Friday night, in a very elaborate manner. The program consisted of a street parade which surpassed in brilliancy anything of the kind ever seen before in Milton. Most of those in the parade either carried red torches or Roman candle, the light of which shone upon the gilt of the uniforms with gorgeous effect. Many of the houses and business block occupied by Red Men displayed decorations of-bunting, Japanese lanterns, red torches, etc. And several rockets whizzed up over the parade as it passed on its way. The marshal of the parade was William T. Wallace, with the Farmington drum corps escorting. G.E. Jordan was assistant marshal. At the hall a short reception was held, after which the adoption degree was conferred on two pale faces by the degree staffs of Chocorua tribe and the local tribe. The committee of arrangements were W.T. Wallace, Fred B. Roberts and Charles A. Gilmore; committee on decorations and parade, Fred B. Roberts, W.T. Wallace and George E. Jordan; supper committee, A.O. Leighton, H.D. Corson, A.J. Cate, H.W. Dore, J.A. Downs and W.T. Wallace (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 29, 1908).

Father George I. Jordan was a promoter of the Milton soldier and sailor’s monument, which was unveiled in September 1908. He was himself a veteran of the American Civil War.

MILTON’S MONUMENT. Last Saturday was a gala day in the history of the town of Milton and the people of that place made the afternoon and evening a holiday by closing the mills, shops and places of business at noon on account of the unveiling and dedication of the beautiful granite soldiers’ monument, which has just been erected on the small park on South Main street, in honor of the dead soldiers and sailors who went to the battle grounds from the good old town of Milton. The monument, which stands 22 feet high from the base, is made of fine granite and was bought and given to the town by subscriptions raised in the last three years by the hustling townsman and member of the Grand Army, George I. Jordan, and to him is due a good deal of credit for his hard labors and the fine memorial that has been erected. It is one that will be a pride to the generations to come. The monument was designed by Mr. Jordan and everything about it is up to date. The cost was about 2000. The exercises of dedication and unveiling were attended by about 2000 people, a large number of them coming from out of town, among them being some of the noted Grand Army men of the state. The pleasant weather also brought out a large crowd of Milton people. The service was in charge of Eli Wentworth post, No. 89, G.A.R. Tho guests of post and town arrived on the noon train and were met at the depot by a committee from the Grand Army and escorted to A.O.U.W. hall, which was the headquarters of the day and where the guests were entertained. At noon a fine banquet was served by the Woman’s Relief corps. The ball and banquet room were decorated with the national colors and American flags. The exercises were held in the park and in the church, as it was too cold to hold them out of doors. Long before the hour of the parade, the people began to gather on the sidewalks the whole length of Main street to watch as the procession marched through the streets on the way to the monument to attend the exercises. The route of the procession was up Main street to the Boston and Maine depot, where a countermarch was made and then the march was down Main street to the monument. The exercises at the monument were short, on account of the weather, and all exercises p0ssible were held in the church. The president of the day was Prof. Clarence E. Kelley, principal of Nute high school. His opening remarks at the monument were very appropriate to the occasion. The monument was unveiled by little Miss Doris Ransdall, 4 years old, the great granddaughter of Mr. Jordan. It was then turned over to the members of Eli Wentworth post, G.A.R., by the president of the day, after which it was presented to the selectmen of the town of Milton by commander C.S. Wentworth. After the services at the church, which ended about 4 o’clock, the procession was re-formed in the same order as it marched down, and returned to A.O.U.W. hall, where the guests were entertained until the time of the departing trains. Those present from Farmington were Freeman Jones, Dennis Ring, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bennett, Ned L. Parker, Flora Hanson, Mrs. W.M. Sanders (Farmington News, November 13, 1908).

REO Record - PH090223G.E. Jordan of Milton registered his 20-horsepower REO automobile in 1910. (See Milton Automobiles in 1909-10).

George I. Jordan, own income, aged seventy-three years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his son, George E. Jordan, a shoe cutter, aged thirty-four years (b. NH). George I. Jordan owned their house, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Eunice Hayes, a widow, aged seventy-one years (b. ME), and Daniel Tucker, an odd jobs laborer, aged forty years (b. MA).

Father George I. Jordan died of pulmonary edema in Milton, September 2, 1915, aged seventy-nine years, three months, and seventeen days. He had resided in Milton for fifty years, i.e., since circa 1865, with his previous residence having been in Wolfeboro, NH. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate. (Undertaker Charles D. Fox of Milton Mills made the funeral arrangements).

The Milton Selectmen of 1916 were Forrest L. Marsh, Fred B. Roberts, and George E. Jordan.

SOUTH PORTLAND. Dr. and Mrs. Frank H. Jordan are entertaining Dr. Jordan’s brother, George E. Jordan, and Mrs. Waycott of Milton, N.H. (Portland Evening Express, June 27, 1917).

(George E. Jordan would marry his fellow houseguest, Mrs. [Sarah (Brown)] Waycott, late in the following year).

Future father-in-law Charles W. Brown died in Tewksbury, MA, in September 1917.

DEATHS. BROWN. In Tewksbury, Sept. 24, Charles W. Brown, formerly of Lynn, 67 yrs. 8 mos. (Daily Item (Lynn, MA), September 24, 1917).

George Edward Jordan registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 12, 1918. He was the self-employed owner of an auto livery, aged forty-two years (b. Milton, July 30, 1876). He was of a medium height, medium build, with gray eyes and black hair. His nearest relative was Frank H. Jordan of Allentown, PA.

George E. Jordan married in Rochester, NH, December 5, 1918, Sarah Emeline (Brown) Waycott, both of Milton. He was a shoe cutter, aged forty-two years, and she was a housekeeper, aged forty-two years. Rev. Frank S. Hartley performed the ceremony. She was born in Lynn, MA, September 22, 1876, daughter of Charles W. and Mary A. (Logue) Brown. (She was divorced from her first husband, Walter H. Waycott).

Milton sent George E. Jordan to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative, for the 1919-20 biennium.

An advertisement for a public auto in Fitchburg, MA. In a similar fashion, rusticators, business travelers, and others, might rent an auto from George E. Jordan at Milton Three Ponds.

George E. Jordan, public auto owner, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah E. [((Brown) Waycott)] Jordan, aged forty-three years (b. MA). George E. Jordan owned their house on Upper Main Street in Milton Village, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles L. Burke, a barber (owner), aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), and George F. Downs, a meat market owner, aged sixty-three years (b. NH).

Mother-in-law Mary A. (Logue) Brown died in Lynn, MA, in March 1927.

George E. Jordan, a retail merchant (filling station), aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eleven years), Sarah E. [((Brown) Waycott)] Jordan, aged fifty-three years (b. MA). George E. Jordan owned their house on North Main Street, which was valued at $3,000. They had a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Clarence Drew, an odd jobs laborer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and James A. Piper, an odd jobs carpenter, aged seventy-two years (b. ME).

Piscataqua Council, No. 42, Degree of Pocahantas, held its regular meeting at the former Mason hall in Portsmouth, NH, in April 1931. On this occasion there was a large gathering of past officers. Mrs. Sarah Jordan of Milton was mentioned as a Past Grand Pocahontas.

Many past grand chiefs were in attendance, among them Past Great Pocahontas Sarah Jordan of Milton, the “mother” of Piscataqua Council. (Portsmouth Herald, April 21, 1931).

George E. Jordan of Milton discovered a fatal car crash in July 1938. (See Milton in the News – 1938).

George E. Jordan, a storekeeper (general store), aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah [((Brown) Waycott)] Jordan, aged sixty-three years (b. MA)., and his boarder, Lloyd B. Hudson, aged eighteen years (b. NH). George E. Jordan owned their house in the Milton Community, which was valued at $1,500. They had resided in the same house in 1935. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Arthur H. Greene, retired, aged seventy-seven years (b. Canada), and Sarah A. Piper, a boarding house hostess, aged seventy years (b. NH).

Jordan - FN441103
George E. Jordan ran unsuccessfully for Strafford County Commissioner in November 1944.

George Jordan, William A. Dickson, S. Lyman Hayes, and Joseph E. Willey, all of Milton, were among the out-of-town members that received 25-year and 50-year honor medals presented by the Fraternal Lodge, A.F. & A.M., at the Mason’s hall in Farmington, MA, April 14, 1941 (Farmington News, April 18, 1941).

Lady Governess Sarah Jordan of Milton helped install new officers of the ladies auxiliary of the I.O.O.F. in October 1941.

Odd Ladies’ Officers Installed. Lady Governess Sarah Jordan of Milton and Governess Conductor Helen Piper, Milton, installed officers of Star lodge No. 2, United Order of Independent Odd Ladies Monday evening in GAR hall (Portsmouth Herald, October 15, 1941).

The Milton Selectmen of 1943 were George E. Jordan, Leroy J. Ford, and Arthur M. Flye.

George E. Jordan, a service station manager (retail gas & oil station), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah E. [((Brown) Waycott)] Jordan, aged seventy-three years (b. MA). They resided in the “6th house on left [south side]” of “State Highway No. 16.” Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Leroy E. Whitnall, aged forty-nine years (b. OH), and Alfred E. Braman, a hotel manager, aged fifty-eight years (b. Canada).

News of South Portland. Madockawando Tribe, IORM, will meet at 8 p.m. tomorrow. More than 100 attended the 50th anniversary party, special guests being Charles Piper, George E. Jordan, Milton, N.H. Fifty-year certificates were presented to William S. Jordan and Gilman Willard, and past sachem’s jewels to Herbert Green, Clarence Spiller, and Calvin Upton. The group will work the adoption degree on two candidates, June 3 (Portland Evening Express, May 26, 1955).

LOCAL LINES. Scheduled to receive 50-year pins at the meeting of the Fraternal Lodge, No. 71, [A.]F. and A.M. last night were Carl S. Thomas, former publisher of the News and George E. Jordan of Milton. Leslie F. Munch, grand master for the state, was on hand to make the presentation (Farmington News, November 3, 1955).

George E. Jordan died of coronary thrombosis at the Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, NH, February 26, 1961, aged eighty-four years. He was a gas station operator. Ralph Adams, M.D., signed the death certificate.

George E. Jordan Succumbs at 84. Funeral services for George E. Jordan, 84, were held Wednesday at the Milton Community Church with Rev. Bradley Lines, pastor, officiating. Mr. Jordan was a lifelong resident of Milton and a retired gas station proprietor. He served in the NH General Court in 1919, was a former Milton fire chief, a member of the police force and held various town offices. Mr. Jordan was affiliated with following orders: a 50-year member of the Fraternal Order, No. [71], OES of Farmington; a life member of Madkandondo Order of Red Men of Milton; Bektash Temple of Concord; Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Portsmouth and Dover, N.H. Consistory and a 32nd Degree Mason. He was also a member of the Rochester Shrine Club and the Cocheco Valley Sportsmen’s Association. Members of the family include his wife, Mrs. Sarah Brown Jordan, a stepdaughter, Mrs. Gretchen Adams of Milton and two grandchildren. The Peaselee Funeral Home of Union was in charge of arrangements (Farmington News, March 2, 1961).

PROBATE COURT. George Jordan, Milton. Account allowed, receipt filed (Farmington News, May 17, 1962).

Sarah E. ((Brown) Waycott) Jordan died of a heart blockage in Milton, June 27, 1967, aged ninety-two years. She was a housewife. Gerard G. Bozuwa, M.D., signed the death certificate.


References:

Find a Grave. (2011, March 24). Charles W. Brown. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/67382089/charles-w-brown

Find a Grave. (2021, November 8). George E. Jordan. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/233840962/george-e-jordan

Find a Grave. (2009, November 26). George Ivory Jordan. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/44820080/george-ivory-jordan