By Muriel Bristol | May 19, 2024
Robert Philbrick Laskey was born in Milton Mills, September 11, 1911, son of Robert D. and Maude (Philbrick) Laskey.
Ralph Laskey, a laborer (odd jobs), aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of sixteen years), Maud [(Philbrick)] Laskey, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), his children, Robert Laskey, a bookkeeper (meat packing), aged eighteen years (b. NH), Kenneth Laskey, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Arlene Laskey, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Virginia Laskey, aged seven years (b. NH), and his uncle, Wm F. Laskey, a laborer (odd jobs), aged fifty-seven years (b. MA). Ralph Laskey owned their house on the Willey Hill Road, which was valued at $2,000. They did not have a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles F. Cutler, aged sixty-seven years (b. MA), and G. Victor Tranq, aged thirty-six years (b. MA).
Robert P. Laskey married in Brookline, NH, February 26, 1932, Agnes Annette Smith, he of Milton Mills and she of Milton. He was a bookkeeper, aged twenty-one years, and she was at home, aged nineteen years. Rev. Charles W. Phillips performed the ceremony. She was born in Middleton, NH, April 25, 1912, daughter of Guy A. and Clara M. (Tufts) Smith.
Robert P. (Agnes S.) Laskey appeared in the Concord, NH, directory of 1933, as a bookkeeper for Swift & Co., with his house at 31 Washington street. Swift & Co., appeared as wholesale meat and provision dealers, at Railroad square.
Robert P. (Agnes S.) Laskey appeared in the Concord, NH, directory of 1935, as a shipper for Swift & Co., with his house at 25 Borough road, P. [Penacook].
Robert P. (Agnes S.) Laskey appeared in the Concord, NH, directory of 1936, as a shipper for Swift & Co., with his house at 64 Washington street.
Robert P. (Agnes S.) Laskey appeared in the Concord, NH, directories of 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, and 1941, as a superintendent at Swift & Co., with his house at 64 Washington street. Agnes S. (Ms. Robert P.) Laskey appeared in 1939, as an employee of Treisman Bros., Inc., with her house at 64 Washington street.
Robert P. Laskey, a traveling salesman (meat packing), aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Concord, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Agnes S. [(Smith)] Laskey, a candy packer (candy), aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and his lodger, John A. Nugent, a shipping clerk (meat packing), aged twenty-one years (b. ME). Robert P. Laskey rented their apartment at 64 Washington Street, for $22 per month. The Laskeys had resided in the same place, i.e., Concord, NH, in 1935, while their lodger had resided in Lewiston, ME, in 1935.
Robert Philbrick Laskey of Concord, NH, registered for the WW II military draft in Concord, NH, in 1942. He employed at Swift & Co. and aged twenty-nine years (b. Milton Mills, September 11, 1911). His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. Robert Philbrick Laskey of R.F.D. 12, Concord, NH. He was 6′ 3″ tall, weighed 212 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a dark complexion.
Robert P. Laskey served in the U.S. Army-Air Force, a precursor to the current U.S. Air Force, between June 19, 1942 and December 28, 1945. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He appeared as a Staff Sergeant in a roster of the 315th Bomb Wing; he was in the 485th Squadron, which was a part of the 315th Bomb Wing. They flew Boeing B-29 bombers from Guam in 1945.
Milton Mills. By Alfred W. Lewis. Service Flag Dedicated. Sunday morning at the Free Baptist Church the new service flag containing one large star and the numbers 43 and 1, was dedicated. The Roll of Honor was read as follows: Robert Anderson, Douglas Carmichael, Fred Clough, Leon Clough, Fred Carswell, Jr., James Cousens, Damon Currier, Ralph Currier, Charles Drew, Willard Feeney, Harry Fletcher, Jr., Maurice Fletcher, Clyde Gordon, Ellsworth Gordon, Clyde Horn, Clinton Horn, Victor Horn, Charles Hosser, Clifton Hersom, Carl Hurd, John Hurd, Kenneth Leakey, Robert Laskey, George W. Mee, Arthur Mee, Horace Mee, Jr., Lester Marsh, Harry Miller, Jr., Leland Jenness, Raymond Jenness, Franklin Pike, Roland Pike, Charles Ramsey, Edward Thibedeau, Arthur Thibedeau, Solon Thibedeau, Elwin Thibedeau, Malcolm Treadwell, Burton Treadwell, Merle Treadwell, Willard Young, Norman Valley and Raymond Wilkinson. The gold star member is Frederick Clayton who was killed in an airplane crash while in the Army. Certificates of Service were presented to members of each family after which the flag was dedicated by a dedicatory prayer by the pastor, the Rev. Joseph Buber, assisted by Arthur Mee, representing the Navy and Clyde Gordon, the Army. The pastor preached on the topic “Truly This Was the Son of God” (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 12, 1944).
Robert Philbrick Laskey of Milton Mills registered for the WW II military draft in Concord, NH, December 29, 1945. He was unemployed and aged thirty-four years (b. Milton Mills, September 11, 1911). His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. Agnes Laskey of Milton Mills. He was 6′ 3″ tall, weighed 190 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a ruddy complexion.
The Milton Selectmen of 1947 were Ralph W. Pugh, Robert P. Laskey, and John G. Gilman. The Milton Selectmen of 1948 were Robert P. Laskey, John G. Gilman, and Ralph W. Pugh. The Milton Selectmen of 1949 were John G. Gilman, Ralph W. Pugh, and Robert P. Laskey.
MILTON MILLS MAN UNINJURED IN AUTO ACCIDENT SUNDAY NIGHT. Robert Laskey of Milton Mills miraculously escaped injury in an auto accident which occurred last Sunday evening on the Farmington-Middleton highway near the home of Alden Emery. Mr. Laskey was driving his convertible towards Farmington and failed to make a curve in the highway. The vehicle turned completely over and was badly demolished, however Mr. Laskey was extricated from the wreck and was taken to the office of a local physician, where he was found to be uninjured, but suffered shock as the result of a severe shaking up. Chief of Police Elmer F. Clough investigated the accident (Farmington News, December 9, 1949).
The Milton Selectmen of 1950 were Ralph W. Pugh, Robert P. Laskey, and John G. Gilman.
Robert P. Laskey, a lumber sorter (sawmill), aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Agnes S. [(Smith)] Laskey, a telephone operator (telephone company), aged thirty-eight years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Richard D. Gale, teaching principal (grammar school), aged twenty-nine years (b. RI), and James A. Russell, a truck & car loader (fibreboard mill), aged forty-four years (b. MA).
The Milton Selectmen of 1951 were Robert P. Laskey, John G. Gilman, and Leroy J. Ford.
The Milton Selectmen of 1952 were John G. Gilman, Leroy J. Ford, and Robert P. Laskey. Robert P. Laskey received $322.52 in salary as a town selectman and overseer of the poor. (John G. Gilman received $325.00 and Leroy J. Ford received $320.12). He received also $57.95 in travel expenses and mileage. Robert P. and Agnes S. Laskey were assessed for one acre of land and a building, which were valued at $2,100.
The Milton Selectmen, including Robert P. Laskey, were a part of the Milton sesquicentennial committee in 1952.
150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF MILTON CELEBRATION, AUGUST 10. The town of Milton was incorporated in 1802, when it separated from Rochester, where formerly it was known as the Northeast Parish. Since the first settlement in 1760, the population has increased until now there are 1510 persons in town. They will be joined by many former residents and people from other communities in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the town at a program to be held on Nute high school grounds on Sunday August 10, from one to five in the afternoon. The Goodall Sanford band will be in attendance, the principal speaker will be Hon. Styles Bridges, and there will be other interesting and entertaining numbers. The committee in charge of the occasion consists of Chairman Lyman Plummer, Edward R. Stone, Maurice L. Hayes, Theodore C. Ayer, John G. Gilman, Leroy J. Ford, and Robert P. Laskey (Farmington News, August 1, 1952).
The Milton Selectmen of 1953 were Leroy J. Ford, Robert P. Laskey, and John G. Gilman.
Mrs. Agnes A. (Smith) Lasky was honored with seven other retiring Milton Mills telephone operators when the local exchange was converted to a dial system in 1955. (The Milton Mills telephone exchange was said to have been situated originally in the Asa Fox & Son general store. (See Milton Gets the Telephone)).
Phone Operators at Milton Mills Honored Friday. Eight recently retired operators at the Milton Mills. N.H., telephone exchange, which has been 1 converted to the dial system, were honored at a farewell reception Friday evening in the Grange Hall by nearly 70 telephone subscribers. The honor guests were Miss Gladys Ayer, Mrs. Louse Stevens, Mrs. Agnes Laskey, Mrs. Virginia Mee, Mrs. Gertrude Ayer, Mrs. Dorothy Carswell, Mrs. Lois Lowd McCrome and Miss Ada Rines. Mrs. Louise Tibbetts of Union, N.H., was mistress of ceremonies. An original poem, Thanks to the Operator, was read by Mrs. Dorothy Miller. Musical selections were played by Mrs. Elsie Hazeltine, Dennis Long, H.C. Quanstrom and Harold Clay. Mrs. Hazeltine also sang solos and Mrs. Louise Stevens played a violin solo. A reception line was formed and reception, guests were introduced. Also introduced were Mrs. Beatrice Morgan, chief operator, and Albert Terry of the Rochester, N.H., telephone exchange and Warren Reid, a retired telephone operator. Gifts and corsages were presented to the honor group. Ice cream and cake were served. The Milton Mills telephone exchange, also serviced part of Acton, Me., and Union, N.H., was first located in the store of Asa Fox & Son about 48 years ago. It soon was taken over by Miss Gladys Ayer’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Ayer, and after their demise, she carried on the telephone service. Mrs. Bertha Hobbs, a night operator, and Mrs. Florence Weeks of the exchange were unable to be present (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), April 28, 1955).
Mother-in-law Clarissa M. “Clara” Smith died in Milton, January 16, 1956, aged seventy-one years.
MRS. GUY A. SMITH. Milton – Mrs. Clara M. Smith, 71, died Monday at her home following a long illness. She was wife of Guy A Smith. A native of Middleton, Mrs. Smith lived her most of her life here. She was active in various community and club activities. Funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the Milton Community church. Rev. George Currier officiated. Peaslee funeral home handled arrangements. Burial was in Milton Mills cemetery. Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Guy R. Smith of Milton and Cecil Smith of Fitchburg Mass., two daughters, Mrs. Frances Morrison of Rochester and Mrs. Agnes Laskey of Milton Mills; a brother John Tufts of Middleton; three sisters, Mrs. Ruth Hartfield of Farmington, Mrs. Nellie Vanyas of Worcester, Mass., and Mrs. Blanche Turchman of Union; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren (Farmington News, January 19, 1956).
Father-in-law Guy A. Smith died on Concord, NH, February 21, 1956, aged seventy-four years.
GUY A. SMITH. Milton – Funeral was scheduled today for Guy A. Smith, 74, who died in a Concord hospital Tuesday. He had retired in 1951 after working for Spaulding Fibre for 29 years (Farmington News, February 23, 1956).
Milton Mills. The Grange held open house Wednesday evening. The young folk presented the program. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laskey served refreshments (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 24, 1962).
Milton Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laskey returned this week after enjoying the past two weeks in the “north country” at Wentworth Location (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), September 3, 1970).
Milton Mills News. By Mrs. Mamie Clough. Mr. Robert Laskey, Mr. Harry Smith, his father, Mr. Raymond Smith of Milton and Mr. Dennis Ferns went to Dover Point Saturday digging for oysters (Farmington News, September 24, 1970).
Milton Mills News. By Mrs. Mamie Clough. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laskey spent the weekend in Wentworth Location. Mrs. Lydia Bowley stayed with Patrick, Robert and Randy while their parents were away. (Farmington News, July 22, 1971).
Robert P. Laskey died in Milton Mills, November 12, 1976, aged sixty-five years.
Father Robert D. Laskey died in Sanford, ME, February 17, 1981, aged eighty-seven years.
Mother Maude (Philbrick) Laskey died in Sanford, ME, April 15, 1988, aged ninety-five years.
Maude Laskey. MILTON MILLS, N.H. – Maude P. Laskey, 95, of the Willey Road, oldest resident here, died Friday at Hillcrest Manor in Sanford, Maine, after a period of failing health. She was the widow of Ralph D. Laskey, who died in 1981. They had been married for 67 years before his death. She was born at Milton Mills on Christmas Day 1892, the daughter of Charles and Jennie Applebee Philbrick, and was a graduate of Nute High School in Milton, class of 1911. Mrs. Laskey was the holder of the Boston Post Cane. She was an accomplished seamstress and pianist, having played for silent movies and also for dances in the Old Central Hall, formerly located in the center of Milton Mills. She was a 79-year member and past master of the Pleasant Valley Grange, a 50-year member of the Rebekahs, and a member of the Pomona, State and National Grange. Surviving are a son, Kenneth M. Laskey of Union, Maine [NH]; two daughters, Mrs. Louis (Arlene) Tibbetts of Union and Mrs. George (Virginia) Mee of Acton, Maine; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Robert Laskey, in 1976. A private graveside service was to a be held today in Milton Mills Cemetery. Arrangements were by Peaslee Funeral Home in Union (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), [Monday,] April 18, 1988).
Agnes A. (Smith) Laskey died January 1, 1990, aged seventy-seven years.
References:
315th Bomb Wing. (2005, March 26). 315th Bomb Wing Wartime Roster. Retrieved from www.315bw.org/NewChapter/25_roster_501st.pdf
Find a Grave. (2013, July 31). Robert D. Laskey. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114678187/ralph-diah-laskey
Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Robert P. Laskey. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115422035/robert-p-laskey
Find a Grave. (2021, May 12). Guy Alexander Smith. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226822512/guy-alexander-smith
Wikipedia. (2024, April 1). Wentworth Location, New Hampshire. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wentworth_Location,_New_Hampshire
Milton Observer 