James P. Comeau of Derry, N.H. Biography from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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Source:  History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
          by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915

Page 1290

A portrait of James P. Comeau is at
http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/rockingham/biopics/ComeauJamesP.jpg

     JAMES P. COMEAU, proprietor of the popular summer resort at Beaver
Lake, Rockingham County, N. H., with which he has been connected since
1904, was born in Nova Scotia, March 17, 1878, a son of Wallace and Annie
Comeau. In his earlier youth he followed a sea-faring life, at the age of
fourteen making a trip to the West Indies, on the three-masted schooner,
"Bess." Later he made three trips to Europe on Cunard freighters, two on
the Corinthia and one on the Sylvania, and subsequently spent three months
on the fishing sloop, "Fair Play," which was engaged in fishing on the Grand
Banks, off Newfoundland. At last, tiring of the sea, he went to Haverhill,
Mass., where he worked in a shoe factory for awhile. About 19!'2 he came
to Derry, finding employment in the Bradford Hotel. After remaining there
for two years he took charge of the Beaver Lake resort, with which he has
since been connected, with the exception of two winters spent at the Royal
Poncianna Hotel, Palm Beach, F1a. Mr. Comeau is chiefly concerned with
the active management of the Beaver Lake resort and since becoming con-
nected with it has made many valuable improvements. When he first came
here there were only four cottages, while at the present time there are about
seventy-five. These improvements and the consequent financial gain have
been chiefly accomplished by strenuous hustling, accompanied by constant
and judicious advertising, in all of which Mr. Comeau is an adept. A fine
bathing beach has been constructed and many other attractions added. The
outlet has been screened and the lake has been stocked with lake trout, which
will give fishing advantages to sportsmen, an additional attraction. This work
was completed in the fall of 1914, October 22. On Nov. 10, 1914, Mr.
Comeau opened a fine lunch and dining room in the Broadway Theatre Build-
ing, Derry. As a good citizen, Mr. Comeau takes a keen interest in good
government and for that reason takes an active part in politics. He is a
charter member of Derry Aerie of Eagles.
     Mr. Comeau was married June 10, 1911, to Miss Julia A. Sullivan, of
Manchester, N. H., and has one son, James Frederick. He and his family
are members of the Catholic church. As a wide-awake, up-to-date, hustling
business man, Mr. Comeau has established a record in this vicinity that is
hard to beat.