John Carroll MOULTON
Biography

JOHN CARROLL MOULTON.

John Carroll Moulton, son of Jonathan Smith Moulton and Deborah (Neal) Moulton, born in Centre Harbor, December 24, 1810, is the subject of our sketch. In addition to the ordinary opportunities of the district school, in his native town, he attended Holmes Academy, at Plymouth, New Hampshire, where for several terms he pursued his studies under the instruction of the late Samuel Burns, who ranked among the foremost teachers of his time. To perfect himself in mathematical studies, for which he showed an early and natural aptitude, he placed himself under the tuition of Master Dudley Leavitt, the noted almanac-maker, who, for many years, opened an annual term of high school in Meredith, where he taught all the advanced branches of mathematics to pupils, who in that day flocked from every part of the country to place themselves at the feet of this great mathematical Gamaliel. These studies he ardently pursued far beyond the limits of the ordinary academical course, and they seem to have impressed upon him a permanent proficiency often called for and manifested in the various large business transactions, with which he has been connected for so many years. During the intervals of schools, he assisted his father — who was in trade and a large farmer — as clerk and general assistant in his extensive business. In 1831, at about the age of twenty, he opened a store and commenced trade at Sandwich, New Hampshire, where he remained about a year, when he returned, and resumed the same business at Centre Harbor.

July 15, 1833, he married Nellie B. Senter. He then opened a hotel in what has since grown to be one of the famous boarding-houses of Centre Harbor, and with the aid of his brilliant and accomplished wife, united the duties of landlord and merchant, which employments he continued there for several years. In 1836, Lake Village, New Hampshire, began to attract attention as a place of large prospective business, and Mr. Moulton left Centre Harbor, and opened a store at that place. He also engaged in manufacturing, and continued in these employments for several years.

In 1841, he removed to Laconia, then known the world over as Meredith Bridge, and took charge of the Belknap Hotel. This being the only stage house of that lively place, it was usually in undated with the stream of public travel, peculiar to those times. He continued this business about two years, when he opened a book-store and an apothecary-shop in a building, which stood on the site now occupied by the post office and the national bank. He was soon after appointed postmaster — in the latter part of Tyler's administration ; was re-appointed by President Polk, through whose term he held the office, which he continued to do a short time before the term of President Taylor, when, being a life-long Democrat, he was removed. He was re-appointed by President Pierce and also by President Buchanan, during whose terms he held the office, which he continued to do a short time under President Lincoln, when he was superseded by the appointment of a Republican. Thus he held the office of postmaster during part of the terms of three Republican, and the full term of three Democratic administrations, making his term of office about sixteen years in all. The duties of his long term of service were performed in a manner universally acceptable and satisfactory to the public.

In 1848, the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad was built and completed from Concord to Plymouth. In anticipation of this event, the firm of Charles Ranlet and Company built large and extensive car-works at Laconia, which they designed particularly for the construction of freight cars. The firm commenced and carried on the business, until the decease of the senior partner, in 1860, when the works were suspended. In 1861, Mr. Moulton became a partner, and by his great energy and business capacity has developed a large business, which employs some two hundred men, most of whom are skilled workmen. The monthly payroll is about eight thousand dollars. The works have been repeatedly enlarged, and several extensive buildings erected, to accommodate the increase of business. For several years, passenger cars of the finest style and finish, as well as freight cars, have been built at their works, and their annual gross earnings are to be reckoned at several hundred thousand dollars. In February, 1881, these car shops, with most of their machinery and contents, were burned to the ground, and in thirty days from the fire, cars were being built in new shops, which had been erected on the old foundations. Mr. Moulton was then over seventy years of age, and was well able to retire from business, with an ample competence, to the quiet repose, which most men desire as the closing blessing of an active and arduous life.

In 1871 and 1872 he was chosen Senator from District Number Six, and performed his official duties with his accustomed promptness and fidelity, and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was also elected Councilor for District Number Two, in 1874. In 1876 he was one of the Delegates to the Democratic National Convention held at St. Louis, which nominated Samuel J. Tilden for the Presidency, and in the ensuing Presidential Campaign was one of the candidates on the Democratic ticket for elector.

In 1865, the rapid growth of the manufacturing, commercial and other business interests at Laconia and Lake Village suggested to him the great need of additional financial facilities. To meet these demands, it was necessary to procure a charter from the Government to establish a national bank at Laconia. Almost insurmountable obstacles to success in this enterprise were en countered, and finally overcome. The charter was procured and the bank established, largely by the active and persistent labor of the subject of this sketch. Upon the organiation of the Laconia National Bank, he was chosen its first president, and continuously and acceptably held the position till the time of his death. It may well be said, that the impartiality with which the accomodations of this bank have been extended to promote all hopeful enterprises, has done much to advance the growth and prosperity of the place.

For several years, Mr. Moulton was a stockholder in the Gifford Hosiery Corporation at Laconia. In 1868, he became sole owner of the entire stock and property. He steadily continued its successful operation until the factory employed about one hundred and fifty hands, mostly females, at the mill, and gave employment to many households in the surrounding country. Mr. Moulton and Benjamin E. Thurston were joint owners of the extensive flouring and grain mill of Laconia. He was also a large owner of the stock in the Laconia Gas, Light Company, and did much to place this important pioneer enterprise upon the solid basis it now holds among the public improvements of the growing town.

Mr. Moulton was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was one of the charter members of Winnipisseoge Lodge No. 7, which was established at Laconia in 1842. He became — after many years, one of the Uniformed Patriarchs of the Order.

His domestic and family relations are as follows : July 15, 1833, he married Nellie B. Senter, of Centre Harbor, who was the daughter of Samuel M. Senter. Her ancestor, Colonel Joseph Senter, and Ebenezer Chamberlain were the first settlers in that town in 1765 and 1767. She died November 18, 1860, at Laconia. Five children were born to them, of whom three survive. Edwin Carroll Moulton was born May 25, 1834, and died November 13, 1867. He married Augusta Ranlet, of Laconia, daughter of Charles Ranlet, and their only child, Nelly Augusta Moulton. He was an active business man, full of promise, and many friends still cherish his memory.

Samuel Moore Senter Moulton was born August 1, 1837, and resides at Laconia. May 2, 1861, he enlisted and served in the New Hampshire Volunteers. July 26, 1861, he enlisted in the Regular Army of the United States, and served three years during the Rebellion, with the mounted troops. Since the war he has been employed as book-keeper, clerk, and paymaster in the car fastories above referred to. He was one of the selectmen of Laconia for the years 1868 and 1869; and was Representative of the town to the Legislature for the years 1876 and 1877. He married Martha B. Thurston, daughter of Benjamin E. Thurston, who is well-known. He served as Representative to the Legislature from the town of Moultonborough in Carroll CCounty, for the years 1867 and 1868, after which he removed to, and now resides in Laconia, which town he represented in the Legis lature in 1881. He was also High Sheriff of Belknap County in the years 1874 and 1875.

William Hale Moulton was born July 20, 1844, died March 10, 1849.

Horatio Francis Moulton was born January 24, 1848. During the war he was three years in the United States Navy. He was one of the naval cadets, and intended to pass his life in the United States service, but was prevented by pulmonary disease. He married Ella S. Melcher, of Springfield, Massachusetts, daughter of William Melcher. Their family consists of several children. He is Superintendent of the Gilford Hosiery Company. Ida Lettice Moulton was born June 4, 1850. She married Joshua B. Holden, of Boston, Massachusetts, and their family consists of four children. Mr. Moulton married his second wife, Sarah A. McDougal, August 18, 1866. Her many virtues and useful charities have endeared her to a large circle of warm friends.

The lives of men who are absolved in the exacting duties of many diversified and burdensome pursuits are not crowded with incidents which interest remote posterity; but the successful and many sided enterprises of such men exert a wide and beneficial influence in their day and generation. Such a man was Mr. Moulton. He was always an open-handed, public-spirited citizen. To him, and to two or three others, we owe the building of the finest church in Laconia, and the support of a liberal ministry. The town of his adoption still continues to exhibit many evidences of his liberal contributions to whatever tended to promote the growth of the town, the prosperity of its business, or the public welfare. One of his last enterprises for the public benefit was the building of the most elegant opera house in New England — outside of Boston — at an expense of $70,000, near the centre of his town.

Moulton Annals by Henry William Moulton
Editor Claribel Moulton
Publisher Edward A. Claypool, 1906



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