This contains a transcription of the George Harlon Page Ware of Alstead, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.
Pages 42-43
GEORGE HARLON PAGE WARE has been for forty years the blacksmith of Alstead. Born November 28, 1836, in the town of Acworth, he is a son of Joseph and Susan (Nichols) Ware. His grandfather, Joseph Ware, Sr., who lived at Winchester, N. H., of which place he was one of the early settlers, had, so far as is known, but one child, the father of George H. P. Ware.
Joseph Ware, who was born in Winchester in 1784, went to Acworth, lived there for the greater part of his life, and died in 1848. Besides working at his trade of blacksmith, he carried on farming to some extent. He was a devoutly religious man and a Deacon of the Orthodox church. His wife, Susan, who was a native of Billerica, Mass., born him eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Susan, Joseph, Pamelia, Hannah, and George H. P. attained maturity. Susan married Isaac Kent, who was for many years a well-known hotel man of Alstead, and had four children—Elisha, May, Ellen and Samuel; Joseph Ware, a farmer of Acworth, married and had one daughter, Abbie; Pamelia married Anthony Walker, of Nashua, N. H., and had a family of four children; Hannah became Mrs. Henry King, of Boston, and had two sons.
George H. P. Ware received his early education in the public schools of Acworth. After leaving school he learned the blacksmith’s trade with his wife’s father in Alstead. Since then he has been a resident of Alstead. By his genial manners and his willingness to oblige he has made many friends in this section. He takes an interest in public affairs and is often heard from at town meetings. He has never, however, aspired to hold office. He attends the Congregational church. Mr. Ware married Susan Adelaide Spencer, who was born February 6, 1844, the daughter of James and Susan (McCrae) Spencer. Mr. Spencer, who was born May 21, 1819, died February 18, 1883. Mrs. Ware died on September 19, 1887, having been the mother of three children—Frances A., James Walton, and Bertha Eleanor. Frances A., born in Keene, February 2, 1870, married Charles F. Pierce, of Alstead. James W., born August 24, 1873, is the clerk at the Commercial House in Bellows Falls, Vt. Bertha Eleanor, born September 12, 1877, is at home with her father and grandmother.
Mr. Ware is something of an antiquary and collector. He has a fine collection of rare old coins, besides a cabinet of stuffed birds, mounted by himself. Much originality is shown in the many odd and beautiful picture frames he has manufactured from glass, broken china, shells, buttons, and various other materials, which it would seem to be impossible to work with. His lawns are perhaps the most original and artistic of any in the State, considering their size. They are arranged with various kinds of ornamental work, and show great taste and skill.