Joseph Newell

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Sep 2 2018, 18:47:17 UTC

=============================

History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire edited by Duane Hamilton Hurd

https://books.google.com/books?id=eEFEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA722

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOSEPH NEWELL.

Joseph Newell was born in Reading, Mass., in the year 1794. His father died soon after, so that he had no recollection of him. His mother married, for her second husband, John Cofran, of Charlestown, Mass., where the family were brought up, consisting of two sons and two daughters.

After leaving school Joseph was placed in a store, and afterwards went into the West India goods business in Charlestown Square under the firm-name of Newell and Thompson, where they did an extensive business with the country towns of Vermont and New Hampshire, which in those days was done by the slow process of teaming, the products of the country to be exchanged for goods of various kinds.

It was in 1823 when he was obliged to make a change, on account of ill-health, to a climate free from east winds and salt air, that his stepfather, John Cofran, who had been obliged to take a place in Wilton, New Hampshire, for debt, advised his son to go to this place as an experiment and see how it might agree with him. He had married Lavina Hopkins, daughter of Colonel Samuel Hopkins, of Wilmington, Mass., the year previous, and with his young wife he started for New Hampshire, never once thinking that his stay would be more than temporary; but his health became so much improved by the pure air and fine scenery that he concluded to remain for a time, and commenced business in the middle of Wilton. At that time all the business of the town centred there, and the country store was the grand rendezvous for all the town people, not only to exchange their products but their sentiments and opinions on all important questions of the day that might come up, and as one can imagine they were many, and then, as now, in political times were of the same vast importance to the different contending parties, ever watchful for their country's good. The hall over the store was the caucus room; adjoining was a large Free-Masons’ hall; the post-office was connected with the store; therefore, one may readily see the many attractions of the central store of one of those old New England towns, where not only the affairs of the town but those of the State and nation as well were discussed oftentimes in a most exciting manner.

At this period New Hampshire seemed to have taken a life lease of the Democratic party. It was the law, if not the gospel, of both town and State for many long years, while the struggling minority were ever working to free themselves from the bondage of the dominant party, occasionally encouraged but only to be defeated. Joseph Newell was always one of the stanch, hopeful opposition—a Webster Whig from the start. In this he was decided and fearless, but annually on town-meeting day was obliged to succumb to the will of the majority. It will be seen that he occupied a barren field for political promotion, although his tastes were not of that kind. He clung to the old party to which he belonged while it lasted with the tenacity of life, but when the dissolving elements set in he took to what he considered the next best landing, the Republican party, although with many regrets and fond lingerings for the past old battle-ground. In 1865 and 1866 he was elected to the State Senate, which was the only political office he ever held; and, perhaps, here I cannot better illustrate a point in his character than by an extract taken from the Nashua Telegrap : “The late Hon. Joseph Newell, of Wilton, was a positive man. He had a mind of his own, as the saying is, and trusted in his own judgment. Apropos, it is related of him that when in the Senate counsel desired to argue a pending measure. “You may argue it all day, if you like,” said Mr. Newell, “my mind is made up !” And it turned out that it was made up against the counsel.” He was a constant attendant and supporter of the old Unitarian Society of the town, and in former days his house was always open to the gatherings of the clergy, which were frequent in those times; and if he did not fully endorse the creed or belief of that denomination at that time, it must be confessed that the gulf was not widened as time went on with the development of more liberal ideas. When the railroad from Nashua was extended to Wilton, it completely changed the old town, and all the business forsook the old haunts of trade for the terminus of the railroad on the river bank in the eastern part of the town. The subject of our sketch was not long in determining the only course left for him to take. He at once erected a store and house and afterwards other buildings and removed his business to this more thriving situation, where he continued to take an interest in the many enterprises of the town until 1857, when his wife died, and he then commenced to close up his business. While the old town was fast going to decay on account of its new rival, till it might have almost reminded one of Goldsmith's Deserted Village, yet, notwithstanding the forlorn and forsaken look which everywhere presented itself from abandonment and neglect, he could never entertain the thought of parting with his old home, surrounded as it is with charming scenery of woods and streams and with a bold outlook of the grand old Temple Hills which he so much enjoyed to look upon in afterlife. Add to this the old homestead, built in 1800, where his four children were born and the best and happiest days of his life were spent. With these feelings he was prompted to offer the old store and adjoining buildings to his younger son, C. H. Newell, who immediately altered it into a spacious summer residence. The old homestead he gave to his eldest son, George A. Newell, who made extensive repairs and alterations, and also occupies it during the summer months. This, together with other improvements, made the place an attractive home during the last days of the old gentleman's life, and one which he never failed to enjoy. Joseph Newell in any position in life would have been called a character. He was, as has been said, a positive man. His nature was not of a frivolous kind —deception, he had none—but with a strong determination and decided opinions, strongly tinctured with a true sense of justice. He might be regarded among men like a bowlder on the landscape, firm and immovable.

An extract from the Telegraph at the time of his death may not be inappropriate in closing this brief sketch: Death of Hon. Joseph Newell, February 17, 1881.

“Hon. Joseph Newell died at his house in Wilton at 3:30 this (Thursday) morning at the advanced age of more than 90 years. The deceased was a native of Charlestown, Mass. He came to Wilton at an early age and was a progressive citizen and prominent merchant for more than fifty years. His popularity was such that he could have held almost any office in the gift of his town or district, but he steadily refused until following the war, when he was prevailed upon to accept the nomination of State Senator for the old seventh district, which included Nashua. He was triumphantly elected and his course was such as to give him a second nomination and election. Mr. Newell was the founder and one of the heaviest owners in the Newell Woolen Mill, and at different times was concerned in other enterprises which he believed to be for the advantage of his town. A few years ago he met with a railroad accident at Lowell, while attending an agricultural fair, by which he lost an arm. He did much to beautify and adorn his town and to encourage those who have struggled to build homes for themselves. Mr. Newell was an old school gentleman, a man whose ‘word was as good as his bond;" a man who made friends and kept them to the very end of his life. Honest, industrious, cheerful, ready to bear his part in all the burdens of his townsmen, seeking to be useful and encourage and foster a reciprocal feeling in those whose paths in life were parallel, he was a good citizen whose influence will be felt in years to come—for his example was worthy of emulation. He leaves a son and daughter.”