This contains a transcription of the Thomas Dinsmore 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 27-28
Calvin Dinsmore, a native of Alstead, after leaving school learned the blacksmith’s trade. He carried on farming and spent his life in Alstead, where he was familiarly known as Uncle Calvin. He was active in town affairs and in all the benevolent and religious movements in the place. A member of the Universalist church, he was one of its leaders and a liberal supporter. He was about seventy-five years old when he died. His wife, Lucy, died at the age of seventy-eight. Their children were: Mary A., Caroline, John, Thomas, Sumner, Willis, Jane, Ellen, Edmund, and Elmira. Mary Anne, now deceased, married Willard Scoville, a farmer of Walpole, this State. Caroline, who was killed in youth by a runaway horse, had been a teacher and a leader in the social and religious circles of the town. John, who lived in Alstead, married Lizzie Spencer, a sister of Mr. Spencer, the wealthy bank president of Boston, and had one son. Sumner died in infancy. Willis who lived in Alstead and took care of his parents, married Elmira Edgerton. Jane married Addison Brooks, a well-known machinist. Ellen married James King, of Acworth, a lumberman, and has one child. Edmund, who also lives at Alstead, married Orrilla Barrett, and is the father of two children — George and Elmira. Elmira, the youngest daughter of Calvin Dinsmore, is now Mrs. Henry Kent, of Alstead.
Mr. Thomas Dinsmore was educated in Alstead and at Marlow Academy. Subsequently he taught school for six years. Then he went to Boston, where in 1848 he obtained employment in a provision store. In 1851 he engaged in business in Quincy Market, where he remained until 1885, when he returned to Alstead, which has since been his residence. His farm is one of the finest in this part of the county. While in Boston Mr. Dinsmore took an active part in city affairs, and held various offices. He was on the Democratic Ward Committee for eight years, and was in the Common Council for two years from Ward Six. Since coming to Alstead, he has been influential in bringing about many improvements in the place. In 1883 he was elected State Senator. In politics Mr. Dinsmore is a Democrat, and he has the distinction of winning the first Democratic victory gained in this town in fifteen years.
Mr. Dinsmore’s wife was before her marriage Mary E. Graham, of Boston, born in November, 1835. Their two children are — Arthur T. and Mary A. Arthur Dinsmore, born in Boston in 1855, was educated in the grade schools and high school of that city. After graduating from the latter institution, he went into business with his father; and he also ran a hotel at Alstead for some time. He is married, and has one daughter — Agnes, who was born in 1882. Mary A. Dinsmore married Charles Maynard, a hotel man, and lives at Walpole, N.H. She has two children — Maud and Alice.