Eli Varney Brewster was born in Wolfeboro on March 24, 1824, the eldest of eight children of George F. and Johanna (Horne) Brewster. At age 17 he left Wolfeboro and came to Dover and went to work for John Trickey in the teaming and lumbering business. Five years later he became a partner with Alpheus Rogers in a grocery, dry goods, and boot & shoe business. In 1861 he became the sole proprietor of the business and the name was changed to E.V. Brewster & Co.
Mr. Brewster was married twice. His first wife was Mary G. Tasker of Madbury, who died in Sept. 1866. On Oct. 3, 1867 he married Freelove Hayes the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Chesley) Hayes of Barnstead. Freelove was born April 9, 1825.
Mr. Brewster was very active in local affairs. He was a member of the state legislature in 1863 & 1864, Mayor of Dover 1868 & 1869, President of the Dover Gas Light Co. for 30 years, and Trustee of the Dover Five Cent Savings Bank for 25 years. He was also a Director of old Langdon Bank (later known as the Dover National Bank) and an organizer and director of the Dover Improvement Association. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of St. John’s Methodist Church for many years.
Mr. Brewster’s store was located on Central Avenue at the corner of Orchard Street. In the 1870’s he built the house at 27 Cushing Street where he died on March 23, 1903. His wife Freelove died Jan. 27, 1908. They had no children.
Photograph from Dover Public Library archives, text from Marston, Robert, Dover, NH: People, Businesses and Organizations: 1850 to 1950. Dover, NH, 2004.