USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 10
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 10
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ILLIAM DORR SMITH, propri- etor of Smith's Business College of Concord, was born in Wilmington, Vt., February 22, 1867, son of Francis R. and Jeanette (Powers) Smith. His father was a native of Wilmington. His mother was born in Marlboro, Vt. His paternal great-grand- father, Jabez Smith, born at Dover, Mass., was grandson of Caleb Smith, born at Need- ham, Mass., in 1720. His paternal great- grandmother, Chloe Richards, born at Ded- ham, Mass., was a direct descendant of Ed- ward Richards, born in England in 1610.
William Dorr Smith began his education in
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the public schools of Wilmington, and later attended Glenwood Academy at West Brattle- boro. At the age of twenty he began teach- ing in the public schools of Newfane, and later taught for some time in the public schools of Brattleboro, Vt. Soon after gradu- ating from Hinman's Business College of Worcester, Mass., he accepted a position there as teacher, and remained thus employed for four years. Soon after leaving there he came to Concord, N.H., and opened the commercial school known as Smith's Business College.
Despite the discouraging prospects and prophecies, he has by quiet and persistent ef- fort succeeded where others have failed, in building up a thriving institution that is to-day regarded as an important factor in the education of the young people of New Hamp- shire.
Mr. Smith has always been a Republican in politics.
EREMIAH GARVIN, of Chichester, an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature and a veteran of the Civil War, was born January 3, 1842, at the family homestead on Garvin Hill, where he now re- sides, son of Jesse and Eunice (Leavitt) Gar- vin. The father, a native of Pembroke, N.H., was reared upon a farm near Garvin Falls, Pembroke. When a young man he was engaged for several years in rafting logs on ' the Merrimac River. Subsequently turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he pur- chased a large farm in Chichester. This property, situated in the southern part of the town, is known as Garvin's Hill, which is twelve hundred feet above the level of the sca. In 1840 Jesse Garvin erected the present sub- stantial brick residence, which is still one of the principal landmarks in Chichester; and he resided here for the rest of his life. He was
twice married. His first wife, in maidenhood named Morrison, and who was a native of Pembroke, bore him two children. Of these Wilson D. survives, and resides in Concord, N.H. He wedded Olive Ann Leavitt, of Chichester, and his children are: William, Etta, Idalette, and Alonzo. Jesse Garvin's second wife, Eunice (Leavitt) Garvin, a daughter of Jonathan Leavitt, of Chichester, became the mother of thirteen children, of whom there are living - Benjamin, Nancy, Lucretta, Solomon L., Mary, John E., Ann Maria and Jeremiah (twins), and Emma L. Benjamin married Adeline Kimball, of Hills- borough, N.H., and has four sons - Jefferson, Herbert, Frank, and Jesse. Nancy is now the widow of Moses O. Pearson, late of Man- chester, N.H .; and her children are: Nellie, Elizabeth, and Bertha. Lucretta is the widow of James P. Eaton, late of Enfield, N.H., and has one daughter, Kate Pearl. Solomon L. married Sarah Keith, who came from the West, and has three children -- George, Sarah, and Perley. Mary is the widow of Charles Goss, late of Salem, Mass .; and her children are: Charles, Mary, and Perley. Ann Maria is now the widow of Charles B. Bradley, late of Manchester, N. H., and has no children. Emma L. married Abraham Ellwood, of Illi- nois, and has four children - Mildred, Sally, Emma, and Leonard. Jesse Garvin died on the homestead in Chichester, at the age of seventy-four years; and his wife lived to be eighty-seven. In politics he was orginally a Jacksonian Democrat, but later he supported the Republican party. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church.
Jeremiah Garvin was educated in the com- mon schools of his native town. After leav- ing school he was employed as a farm as- sistant in Derry, N. H., for eight years. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, First New
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Hampshire Heavy Artillery, and subsequently served in the Civil War with the rank of Cor- poral. At the close of the war he returned to his native State, settled in Manchester, and was afterward engaged in the milk business and in teaming for eighteen years. About the year 1883 he was appointed Superintendent of the City Farm, a position which he occu- pied for the ensuing five years. He then had charge of the Hillsborough County Farm for over five years, after which he returned to the homestead in Chichester, which he had bought in 1886. This property, containing one hun - dred and sixty acres of land, is one of the most desirable estates in the locality. Besides carrying on general farming he accommodates a number of select summer boarders. His residence, which has a magnificent view of mountain scenery, is patronized to its fullest capacity during the heated term. . Mr. Garvin is an active supporter of the Republican party. He served as a special police officer in Man- chester for five years, and represented that city in the legislature from 1874 to 1877. He was also Road Agent for four years, and he served as a member of the Board of Select- men of Chichester for two years. Experi- enced in public affairs, he is now President of the Republican Club of this town.
On June 13, 1862, Mr. Garvin was united in marriage with Georgietta Coburn, daughter of Isaac and Eliza C. (Nesmith) Coburn, of Londonderry, N.H. Mr. and Mrs. Garvin have had four children, of whom three are liv- ing - Edward J., Laura E., and Charles E. Mr. Garvin is connected with Hillsborough Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., of Manchester, and is a member of the encampment. He has been a comrade of Louis Bell Post, G. A. R., of Manchester, since its organization; and he is associated with Chichester Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
HARLES A. LANGMAID, a promi- nent dairy farmer of Chichester and a member of the Board of Select- men, was born upon the farm he now owns and occupies, December 13, 1851, son of Edward and Mary J. (Blake) Langmaid. His grand- father, Edward Langmaid, who for a number of years kept a tavern at Hampton Falls, N.H., moved to a farm of fifty acres situated in Chichester, and was there engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for about two years. He died at the age of forty-two. The grandfather's wife, whose maiden name was Mehitable Dodge, reared six children. Of these Sam- uel, the only survivor, who served as a Captain in the Civil War, married and had two daugh- ters - Helen and Clara. Mrs. Mehitable Langmaid lived to the age of eighty-three years. She was a member of the Congrega- 1
tional church.
Edward Langmaid, father of Charles A., was born in Hampton Falls. The active por- tion of his life was devoted to tilling the soil ; and he resided for the most of the time in Chichester until his death, which occurred when he was seventy years old. In politics he was a Democrat, and his connection with the public affairs of this town lasted through a long period. He was elected to all the im- portant town offices, was a Representative to the legislature, and was serving as Town Treasurer at the time of his death. He was unusually successful as a farmer, and he acquired considerable property. He was a member of . the Congregational church. His first marriage was with Mary J. Blake, a daughter of General James Blake, of Chiches- ter. She died in 1856, aged about thirty- eight years, leaving three children - Edward, Sarah M., and Charles A. Edward married Jacintha M. Sanborn, of Chichester, and has one daughter, Elizabeth M. Sarah M. is the
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wie of Elbridge G. W. Bartlett, of Yonkers, N. Y., and has no children. Charles A. ! ingmaid's father wedded for his second wife M :.. Eliza Ladd Mead, widow of T. J. Mead, !! of Concord, N.H. By this union there w is une son, Albert, who is no longer living.
Charles A. Langmaid acquired his educa- tton in the schools of his native town. When a young man he began to assist in managing the homestead farm, thereby receiving a knowledge of agriculture that has since been very useful to him. He now owns about two hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, of which the cultivated part is very fertile. He makes a specialty of dairy farming, and deals quite extensively in milk. On November 26, 1879, he was united in marriage with Ellen A. Sanborn, daughter of Jacob S. and Elvira R. L .. Sanborn, of Chichester. Politically, Mr. Langmaid is a Democrat. He served as Town Clerk for four years, was Treasurer for three years, and in 1896 was elected a member of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. and Mrs. Langmaid are connected with Chichester Grange, and are members of the Congrega- tional church.
SAAC H. LONG, a popular and pros- perous farmer of Claremont, was born here, March 27, 1841, son of Charles F. .. and Caroline J. (Hubbard) Long. The grand- father, Simeon Long, the captain of a whaling- vessel, came to Claremont from New Bedford out the year 1810. His son, Charles F., '.rn in Nantucket in 1801, learned the ;rinter's trade in New Bedford, but after- ward on account of failing health went to sea. I'm twenty-three years thereafter he served on t therchant vessel, rising in time to the rank ·1 captain. In 1843 he returned to Clare- · nt and took up farming. He was a Repub- an in politics, and he represented his town
in the legislature for one year. He married Miss Caroline Jones Hubbard, who was born in 1803, daughter of Isaac Hubbard, a leading man of the town. George Hubbard, the ma- ternal great-grandfather of Isaac H. Long, was a Lieutenant in the Revolution, and came to Claremont among the early settlers when his son Isaac was eight years old. Isaac, the grandfather, died in Claremont in 1861, leav- ing four children; namely, Amos C., the Rev. Isaac G. Hubbard, Caroline, and Sarah. He was a prominent citizen, and held various public offices. Charles F. Long died in 1869 at the age of sixty-eight. His wife survived him until the year 1880. Their three chil- dren are : Charles H., Charlotte, and Isaac H. Charlotte lives with Isaac on the old Hubbard estate settled by their great-grandfather in 1778.
Isaac H. Long attended the public schools and Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. H. When his school-days were over, he spent two years in the employ of the Old Col- ony Railroad Company. Upon his return to Claremont he took up his residence on the old homestead, where he still lives, cultivating a part of the original farm of four hundred acres, and generally improving the estate. Mr. Long has been much in public life. In 1878 he became Selectman, and held that office for twelve years successively, being Chairman of the Board for most of the time. He has been a Justice of the Peace for some time and County Commissioner since 1891. While he is a strong Republican, he is a favorite with both parties; and he is popular among the townspeople. He has acted as guardian, administrator, and executor in set- tling many estates. Courteous and kind to all, with always the same genial manners, he made a model Selectman. He is a straight- forward and a wise counsellor and a man of
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pronounced integrity. He married Louisa M. Delano, daughter of Henry F. Delano, of Cambridge, Mass. She died April 1, 1895. Mr. Long is a member and a regular attendant of the Episcopal church.
RANK J. FRENCH, who owns a dairy- farm in Northfield, and supplies a large milk route, was born in Gilmanton, N. H., March 30, 1855, son of Sylvester F. and Mercy E. (Hayes) French. The father, a native of Gilmanton, in early life was a shoe- maker, and resided in Dover, Rochester, and Haverhill, Mass., for some years. He finally returned to Gilmanton, and is now occupying a farm on Shepard's Hill. His wife, Mercy, who was born in Strafford, N. H., has had three children - Frank J., Jeremiah S., and Eliza O. Jeremiah S. married Ida Locke, and is a carpenter in Gilmanton. Eliza O. married William Hartford. Neither is now living.
Frank J. French received his education in the Dover grammar school. Four years later he went to Concord, where he was employed in the Eagle Hotel for a year. The succeed- ing two years were spent at his father's farm in Gilmanton. Afterward for several years he was an overseer at the New Hampshire State Prison. In November, 1881, he pur- chased his present farm in Northfield. On this property, which contains one hundred and twenty-five acres of land and is especially well adapted for dairy purposes, he keeps fifteen milch cows, devoting his attention chiefly to the milk business, and supplying a large num- ber of regular customers in Tilton.
On January 5, 1879, Mr. French was united in marriage with Nettie Munsey. She was born in Gilford, N. H., August 16, 1860, daughter of the Rev. John G. and Olive 1
(Mooney) Munsey, of Laconia. Mr. Munsey has retired from the ministry. Mr. and Mrs. French have one son - Harold M., who was born December 31, 1884, and is now attending school in Laconia. Well-advanced in Ma- sonry, Mr. French is a member of Doric Lodge, No. 78, of Tilton, St. Omer Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Franklin, and Mount Horeb Commandery, Knights Templar, of Concord. He is also connected with Belknap Lodge, No. 18, Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Tilton. Both he and Mrs. French are members of the Free Will Baptist church.
ANIEL YEATON, one of the lead- ing farmers of Epsom and the Chairman of the Board of Select- men, was born in this town, January 6, 1839, son of John Yeaton (third) and Sarah (Bick- ford) Yeaton. His ancestors for several gen- erations were prosperous tillers of the soil in this State; and his great-grandfather, John Yeaton (first), was a pioneer settler in Epsom. John Yeaton (second), grandfather of Daniel, a native and lifelong resident of this town, was one of the successful farmers of his day, and owned considerable property. In politics he supported the Democratic party, and he was a member of the Congregational church. He was about eighty-one years old when he died. The first of his three marriages was contracted with Rebecca Bickford, who died when about twenty-five years old, leaving two sons, of whom John (third) was the eldest. The sec- ond marriage was made with Betsy Towle, ,who bore him three children, none of whom are living. The third wife was the widow of William Yeaton, who had no children.
John Yeaton (third), born in Epsom, No- vember 29, 1804, was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed energetically and
ISAAC N. ABBOTT.
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successfully during the active period of his life. He died at the age of seventy-six years, leaving a good estate. A prominent and in- fluential man in the community, he took an active part in securing the election of capable town officers. At first he acted with the Free Soil party, and then became a Republican. Hle was a member of the Free Will Baptist church. His first wife, Sarah Bickford Yea- ton, whom he married December 25, 1828, was a daughter of Samuel Bickford, of Epsom. She died at the age of forty-nine years, leav- ing six children - William, James, Daniel, Sarah E., Vienna R., and Betsey A. William married Caroline B. Tripp, of Epsom, who bore him two children: Ina, now deceased ; and Alma. He enlisted in the Eighth New Hampshire Regiment, and died in the Civil War. James Yeaton wedded Martha Randall, of Deerfield, N. H., for his first wife, who bore him Edwin R. His second wife, in maiden- hood Annie R. Crockett, of Concord, N. H., had three children - John C., Helen E. P., and George H. Sarah, now deceased, mar- ried James L. Bartlett, and had four daughters -- Susan N., Sarah A., Lizzie E., and Nettie M. Vienna R. is now the widow of Elbridge Batchelder, late of Epsom, and has two chil- dren - George E. and Edith G. Betsey A. married for her first husband Thomas B. Robinson, of Epsom, by whom she had two children - Burt and Jennie. She is now the wife of John Brown, of Northwood, N. H. For his second wife John Yeaton (third) mar- ried Mrs. Caroline Cilly, the widow of Samuel Cilly, late of Lowell, Mass., and a sister of his first wife. The children by his second union were: Stella R., who is no longer liv- ing ; and Fred W.
Daniel Yeaton attended the school in his native town, and at an early age began to assist on the farm. He has always resided at
the homestead, and has given his attention to general farming. As a practical and success- ful agriculturist he ranks among the foremost in Epsom. He owns other valuable real estate in this town in addition to the home property. On May 8, 1872, he was united in marriage with Annie B. Rowell. She is a daughter of Asa and Abigail S. (Moulton) Rowell, late of Chichester, N. H., who were prosperous farm- ing people. Her father lived to be sixty-nine years old, and her mother attained the age of fifty-five. Of their four children three are living, Mrs. Yeaton being the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Yeaton have three children : Alfred D., born March 5, 1874; Minot R., born July 25, 1878; and Alice B., born July 24, 1883.
Mr. Yeaton is one of the active members of the Republican party in this section. For two years he has served as Town Treasurer, and he was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 1895. He displays an ability in public affairs that commends him to the voters irre- spective of party, and he is highly esteemed as a worthy and useful citizen. Both he and Mrs. Yeaton are members of the Free Will Baptist church.
SAAC N. ABBOTT, a prominent farmer and dairyman of Concord, was born on Dimond Hill, January 4, 1835, son of Joseph S. and Esther (Farnum) Abbott. His grandfather, Samuel Abbott, one of the early settlers, locating near Long Pond, was a farmer, and passed all his life here, witness- ing during eighty years many and great changes. A mere hamlet when he came, he lived to see Concord a prosperous and progres- sive town and to note the promise of its present largely developed industries. The Merrimac was then a pure mountain stream unspanned by bridges; and, instead of the un- ceasing hum of the great factories that now
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line its bank, was heard only the swish of waters or the occasional plash of a plunging. of otter. Samuel Abbott married Mary Story, and she became the mother of three boys and three girls, all of whom grew to maturity. Joseph S. was his eldest son. When only fourteen years of age Joseph ran away from home, and went to West Concord, where he remained until he reached his majority. He learned carpentry, and became one of the smartest tradesmen of Concord. He built the station of the Concord Railroad that was burned some years ago, and also the machine shop, which is still in use. In 1827 he came to Dimond Hill, and there spent the latter part of his life, dying at the age of seventy- eight years. He married Esther Farnum, of West Concord, and became the father of two children: Almira F., now deceased; and Isaac N. Abbott.
Isaac N. Abbott was educated in the dis- trict schools and Hopkinton and New London Academies. After leaving school he success- fully taught for four years in Hopkinton and Concord. Since then he has been a farmer, and has done quite an extensive business. In 1882 he built a fine barn, and ten years later he erected a substantial and well-finished resi- dence. He has about thirty acres under culti- vation, and besides carrying on general farm- ing he does a large milk business. He mar- ried Martha Smith, daughter of Aaron Smith and Eliza Ann (Sherburne) Smith, of Ports- ' mouth, and has three children - Almira F., Joseph N., and Helen S. Almira is now the wife of Alfred Clark, a Road Commissioner, and has two daughters - Esther F. and Mabel.
In politics Mr. Abbott is a Republican, and his first Presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont in 1856. He takes a warm interest in all public affairs, and has held numerous
public offices of trust and responsibility. He was in the Common Council in 1864 and 1865, and was its President for one year. In 1875 he was Alderman, and in 1887 he represented the town in the legislature. He has been on the School Board for fourteen years, and he was school district clerk for forty years, probably holding that office longer than any other man in the State.
AMES LUTHER JENNA, a successful farmer and esteemed resident of Lang- don, is a native of Worcester, Mass. He was born April 20, 1861, son of George W. and Mary (Harriman) Jenna. James Jenna, father of George W., born in the town of Grantham, Sullivan County, followed the occupation of farmer. He married Hannah Cram, who bore him three children - George W., Julia, and Luther. Julia died at the age of twenty, and Luther died in childhood.
George W. Jenna, who was born in Pomfret, Vt., February 2, 1833, and spent the greater part of his life in Washington County, Ver- mont, was a carpenter and a farmer. In Au- gust, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, Sixth Vermont Regiment, and served in the Civil War until July, 1865, participating in the battle of Cedar Creek and a number of other engagements. He was an attendant of the Congregational church. His wife, Mary Harriman Jenna, was born in Charlotte, Vt., November 30, 1833, and is still living. She bore her husband nine children; namely, George B., James L., Carl W., Martha V., William R., Martin I., Horace V., Mary M., and Myrtie L. George B., a farmer, is mar- ried, lives in Langdon, and has one child. Carl W., a plumber in Leominster, Mass., is married and has one child. Martha V. is the wife of James E. Pierce, a railroad man living
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in Fitchburg, Mass., and has two children. William R., a farmer of Langdon, is married and has two children. Martin I., a plumber in Fitchburg, Mass., is unmarried. Horace V., unmarried, is engaged in farming in Lang- don. Mary M. is the wife of George Will- iams, a farmer of Langdon, and has no chil- dren. And Myrtie L., the wife of Milton Dodge, a farmer of Acworth, N.H., has no children.
James Luther Jenna received his education in Duxbury, Vt., after which he worked out on farms for six years. Since then he has successfully conducted a farm of his own. He came to Langdon eight years ago. In September, 1889, Mr. Jenna married Mrs. Viona E. Chase, widow of March Chase, who was a wealthy farmer and an influential resi- dent of Langdon. She is a daughter of Moses Knight, of Langdon, and was born in Chester, Vt., July 4, 1858. She had a twin sister named Viola A. Knight. Mr. and Mrs. Jenna are the parents of three children, namely : Irving L., born June 16, .1890; Mildred A., born October 23, 1891; and Burton L., born October 17, 1894.
G ON. JAMES B. TENNANT, one of the most prominent business men of Epsom and an ex-member of the New Hampshire Senate, was born in Deer- field, N. H., May 26, 1847, son of Arthur and Ruth O. (Sanborn) Tennant. He comes of English stock. His great-grandfather was an early settler in Portsmouth, N. H. Thomas Tennant, the grandfather, who was born in Haverhill, N. H., April 10, 1771, owned and cultivated farms in Wentworth and Hampton, N. H., during the active period of his life. His last days were passed in Wentworth, and he was about eighty years old when he died.
He married Sarah Goodwin, who, born in Wentworth, March 12, 1777, died at the age of seventy-six. He and his wife reared seven children, of whom Arthur, James B. Ten- nant's father, was the third-born. Of these the only survivor is William, who married Harriet Libby, of Rumney, N. H., and has three children - Ira, Helen, and Lula.
Arthur Tennant was born in Wentworth, September 18, 1812. When a very young man he learned the cooper's trade, which he afterward followed in connection with farming. At first he settled in Pembroke. Later he moved to Epsom and then to Deerfield, where he continued to till the soil for several years. He was largely interested in the live-stock business, and was also engaged in lumbering to some extent. He was a man of considerable prominence in public affairs, having served as a Selectman and in other town offices; and he was one of the first supporters of the Republi- can party in this State. His death, which occurred in Pembroke, April 9, 1880, caused general regret, as he was highly esteemed as an able and upright business man. His re- mains were interred in Deerfield. Arthur Tennant first married Ruth O. Sanborn, daughter of John Sanborn, a pioneer settler of Deerfield. Of the ten children born to this union, two are living - Emma O. and James B. Emma O. is the widow of Charles B. Fowler, late of Pembroke; and her son, Alvah T. Fowler, is now a student at Dartmouth Col- lege. For his second wife Arthur Tennant married Lizzie Fellows, of Deerfield, who had no children. Both he and his first wife were members of the Free Will Baptist church.
James B. Tennant acquired his early educa- tion in the common schools of Deerfield. Subsequently he was a pupil of the Pembroke Academy and the New Hampton Institute, duly graduating from the latter school. In
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