Of the native Baptist ministers were Hosea Wheeler, Harrison C. Page, who died at Newton Theological Seminary just before the completion of his course, and who gave promise of great ability; and the brothers Joel and Christie Wheeler who entered the ministry without a collegiate education, and both preached in Illinois.
Though the people of Dunbarton are too peaceable and honest to need the services of a lawyer, at least a dozen young men entered the legal profession. One of the earliest college graduates, Jeremiah Stinson, having studied law, opened an office in his native town, but devoted the most of his time to agriculture. He met with an accidental death at the age of thirty-six years. Among those who continued to practice law were John Burnham in Hillsborough, John Jameson in Maine, John Tenney in Methuen, Mass., Judge Joseph M. Cavis in California, David B. Kimball in Salem, Mass., Newton H. Wilson in Duluth, Minn., and Henry E. Burnham in Manchester. Only the three last named are now living.
The people of Dunbarton are proud of the fact that there has been no resident physician in town for more than forty years. The last, a Dr. Gilson, was here for a short time only. Dr. Dugall was probably the first; while others were Doctors Symnes Sawyer, Clement, Mighill, Stearns, and Merrill.
True Morse was a seventh son; so was Rev. Mr. Putnam, but he refused to use his supposed powers. Among the native physicians were Abram B. Story, who died not long since in Manchester, William Ryder, John L. Colby, Gilman Leach, David P. Goodhue, a surgeon in the Navy, John and Charles Mills. The two last named practiced in Champaign, Illinois, and were living there when last heard from. William Caldwell is well remembered as a veterinary surgeon.
Of dentists we may name John B. Prescott, D. D. S., of Manchester, a graduate of Pennsylvania Dental College, and the late Dr. Edward Ryder of Portsmouth.
Nothwithstanding this exodus of professional men and others, many good and wise men made the place their home. Deacon John Mills was town treasurer for thirty-five years, selectman twenty-two years, and representative eight years. He built the house afterwards owned by his son-in law, Deacon Daniel H. Parker, who was also a good citizen; as Justice of the Peace, he transacted much law business and settled many estates; he held many town offices, was a thrifty farmer, and accumulated a large fortune.
Henry Putney, of the fourth generation from the first settler of that name, was another strong man, who with Deacon Parker and Eliphalet Sargent formed a board of selectmen in the troubled times of the Civil War, that did good service for the town. His only daughter is the wife of Nahum J. Bachelder, secretary of State Board of Agriculture. He had six sons, five of whom are now living.
The name of Oliver Bailey has been known in town for several generations. The present representative of that name is one of the elder men of the town, a thrifty farmer, and was formerly in company with his son, George O. Bailey, a cattle dealer on a large scale. His brother, James M. Bailey, still owns part of the paternal acres. Their father, Oliver Bailey, removed late in life, to Bow Mills, where he died in 1889. John C. Ray owned a beautiful home in the west part of the town; he was superintendent of the State Industrial School in Manchester for about twenty-five years before his death in 1898.
The brothers, Captain Charles and William C. Stinson, were wealthy farmers in the south part of the town; the former removed to Goffstown, and his farm is owned by Philander Lord. The house is probably one of the oldest in town. The last years of William C. Stinson were spent in Manchester. Harris E. Ryder was the first Master of Stark Grange which was organized in October, 1874. His buildings were burned in 1875, and not long afterwards he located in Bedford, where he died. His brother, Charles G. B. Ryder, served on the school committee for several years. He removed to Manchester many years ago and was engaged in the real estate business for many years; he died there several years ago. The buildings on his farm were burned in July, 1899.
Major Caleb, son of General John Stark, built a house in the west part of the town which is still owned by the family and is filled with interesting relics. His son, Caleb, was the author of the "History of Dunbarton," published in 1860. He and two unmarried sisters spent much time here, the last survivor, Miss Charlotte, dying in 1889, aged about ninety years. She was a fine specimen of the old time gentlewoman, much given to hospitality. The place is now owned in part by her grand nephew, Charles F. M. Stark, a descendant on the mother's side from Robert Morris, the great financier of Revolutionary times. His only son, John McNiel Stark, graduated from Holderness School, June, 1900. The Stark cemetery is a beautiful and well-kept resting place of the dead. Besides Stark, the names of Winslow, Newell, and McKinstry are seen on the headstones. Benjamin Marshall, and his son, Enoch, were prominent men in town. Many other names should be mentioned, but space forbids.