USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 45
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 45
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ANIEL B. SANBORN, a successful farmer of East Concord, Merrimack County, was born in Webster, N.H., April 12, 1840, son of Daniel and Sally (Batchelder) Sanborn.
Mr. Sanborn's grandfather, Tristam San- born, came to Webster with his wife and her parents, and took up land on what is now known as Sanborn and Clough's Hill. He lived to be quite an old man, and remained in this place until his death. He had a large family of children, of whom Daniel, father of the subject of this sketch, was the youngest but one. Daniel Sanborn moved to Canter- bury when his son Daniel B. was but an infant. He bought a farm there, but later came to East Concord, and spent his last days here, dying at the age of seventy-two years. During his early life he worked for a time as a stone cutter, but subsequently devoted him- self to farming. While living in Canterbury he served as Selectman. His wife, Sally Batchelder Sanborn, was a daughter of Samuel Batchelder, of Northwood, N. H. Their family consisted of four children, including the subject of this sketch : Ann is the wife of Charles L. Brown, and resides in Concord; Frank, the youngest son, married Hattie Blanchard, and has two sons; Mary Etta is unmarried.
Daniel B. Sanborn, the eldest child of his parents, received his education in the district schools of Canterbury and in the Concord High School. He came to this town in 1876, and now owns one hundred and twenty acres
of tillage land. Besides his farming interests he does a fair business in lumber. He may be called a self-made man, as his success is the result of his own enterprise and intelli- gence. He married Miss Emmeline P. Clough, a daughter of William and Sophronia (Chase) Clough. Mrs. Sanborn is the mother of five children - Walter C., Sadie F., Harry B., Maud E., and Daniel W.
Mr. Sanborn is a Democrat, politically. He has served two years as Selectman, and was elected a member of the New Hampshire State legislature, to serve during 1897 and 1898. His first Presidential vote was cast for General McClellan in 1864.
DWARD S. BARRETT, a prosperous farmer of West Concord, was born Feb- ruary 17, 1824, at Ashburnham, Mass., the son of Benjamin and Nancy (Stone) Barrett. The paternal grandfather, also named Benjamin, who was a native of Ashby, Mass., followed the occupation of farmer, spent the latter part of his life in New York State, and ended his days in Aurelius, N. Y.
Benjamin Barrett, who was also born in Ashby, after having learned shoemaking, worked at that trade for a number of years. He then followed farming in Ashburnham for a time. Subsequently he removed to Fitch- burg, Mass., and later to Newport, N. H., where he ended his days at the age of fifty-one years. He and his wife reared the follow- ing children: Oliver S., born December 19, 1809, who died March 18, 1810; Nancy S. born December 14, 1810, who died Sep- tember 17, 1828; Joseph, born January 13, 1813, who died June 17, 1897; Mary, born August 24, 1815, who died November 8, 1816; Lucy, born June 28, 1819, who married Martin Johnson, now of Lunenburg, Mass .; Ephraim,
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born August 24, 1821, who died November 20, 1821; Benjamin, born October 24, 1822, who died April 24, 1823; Edward S., born Feb- ruary 17, 1824; Julia M., born March 18, 1826, who died February 3, 1889; Caroline, born February 15, 1828, who married Francis A. White, and now lives in Brookline, Mass.
Edward S. Barrett was educated at the dis- trict schools of Fitchburg, Mass., and New- port, N.H. He began to earn his living in a grist-mill at Newport, where he worked for six years. He then removed to Lempster, N. H., and during the most of his stay in that town was employed in farm work. In 1873 he removed to West Concord, and there purchased a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, known as the old Washington Dow place, which has been his residence since. June 13, 1860, he married Mary Bingham, of Lemps- ter, N.H., a daughter of Walter Bingham. They have no children. At one period in his life Mr. Barrett went West as far as the State of Iowa with the intention of settling out there; but, as the climate did not agree with his health, he returned to New Hamp- shire.
In politics he is both a Republican and a Prohibitionist. He cast his first Presidential ballot for General Zachary Taylor in 1848. In religion he is a member of the Congrega- tional Church of West Concord, and has been one of the Deacons of that society for fifteen years. He is also a member of the Mount Vernon Lodge of Free Masons in Newport. Mr. Barrett is highly regarded by the community.
ILLIAM CUTLER TRUE, for many years one of the most success- ful farmers of Plainfield, was born May 9, 1834, son of Major Reuben and
Hannah (Duncan) True. The first represent- atives of the True family in America came from England, settling in Salisbury, Mass., going thence to Salisbury, N. H., and from there coming to Plainfield. They were robust and self-reliant, and bore unflinchingly the sacrifices and hardships of the early days. Benjamin True, the grandfather of William C., was a prosperous farmer of Salisbury. His first marriage was contracted with a San- born, whose children were: Reuben, Osgood, Hannah, Sarah, Judith, Abigail, and a daugh- ter who became Mrs. Severance, of Andover. The second time he married widow Roberts, who bore him three children - Lydia, Eunice, and Benjamin Kimball. Osgood True mar- ried Betsey Morgan, of Plainfield. He was a successful farmer, and had a family of six children. Hannah married Moses Eaton, and became the mother of a large family. Sarah became Mrs. James Severance, of Salisbury. Judith married Stephen Pingree; and one of her sons was Samuel E. Pingree, who became Governor of Vermont, and is still residing at Hartford in that State. Abigail married a Putney, and lived at Hopkinton, N.H.
Major Reuben True, born at Plainfield, be- came a very enterprising and prosperous farmer. He was a man of rare business ability, and was prominently identified with the business and political interests of the town. He served the public in nearly all the town offices, was Selectman many times, and was sent as Representative to the legislature. He was a leading member in the Baptist church and a generous supporter of its inter- ests. The first of his two marriages was made with Mary Cutler, and the second with Han- nah Duncan. The children of his first wife were: Bradley, Mary, Eunice, and Reuben ; and those of his second were: William C., George Sidney and Susan E. (twins), and
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Benjamin O. Bradley True married Sarah Smith, and is at present living at Lebanon, a wealthy farmer. He has two sons - Reuben and Frank William. Mary, a woman of great refinement and culture, remained a spinster, and died at the age of thirty-nine years. Eunice died at the age of sixty-nine, and Reuben at the age of thirty-three. George Sidney graduated from Dartmouth College, and was preparing to go into business with the Hon. Charles A. Pillsbury, since so well known in connection with his famous brand of flour, when he died, being then only twenty- five years of age. He was a young man of fine attainments and of great promise. Susan married the Rev. Lucian H. Frary, a Congre- gational minister of Middleton, Mass., and died December 14, 1872. Benjamin O. was educated at Kimball Union Academy, at Dart- mouth College, and at Rochester Theological Seminary. He is now Professor of Church History in the Theological Seminary at Rochester, N. Y. His wife, Pamelia Smiley True, is a daughter of Dr. James R. Smiley, of Sutton, N.H. Their three children are: Harold, Helen, and Ruth.
William Cutler True received his education in the town schools and at Kimball Union Academy. After his marriage, when he was twenty-five years of age, he took up his resi- dence on the estate that had been his wife's home. Here he remained up to the time of his death, carrying on most successfully one of the largest farms in this part of the coun- try, and extensively engaged in raising cattle and sheep. The numerous farm buildings were always kept in the best possible condi- tion, and supplied with all the latest improve- ments. Mr. True was a retiring man, unpre- tentious, never caring for display of any kind. He was Selectman for a number of years, was Representative to the legislature for several
terms, and served acceptably in other public capacities. For many years he was a member of the Baptist church and one of its most liberal supporters. He was fraternally asso- ciated with Masonic bodies, and was very popular and influential in the organization. He was anticipating with great pleasure the trip to Boston on the occasion of the last Masonic parade and gathering of the Knights Templars, and expected to take part in some of the exercises. His death occurred on Sep- tember 24, 1895.
Mr. True married Mary Morgan, who was born October 28, 1838, daughter of George W. and Mary Stevens Morgan, of Plainfield. Mr. Morgan was born December 7, 1811, and died February 1, 1857. He was a well-to-do farmer and one of the leading men of his time. Mrs. Morgan, born August 3, 1813, and now nearly eighty-four years old, enjoys excellent health.
RANK WILLARD GRAFTON, M.D., a successful medical practitioner of Concord, was born in Gilford, N. H., in 1869, son of James and Mary Jane (Col- lins) Grafton. The earliest known progenitor of this family, also named James, emigrated from Scotland to America, locating in Cush- ing, Me., where he cleared a tract of land, and was afterward engaged in farming. He married, and had a large family, of whom Joseph, the eldest child, was the great-grand- father of Frank Willard.
Joseph Grafton, born in Cushing, who was also engaged in agricultural pursuits, passing his entire life on the farm, married, and reared a large family. His son, James Grafton, attended the common schools of his native town until he was seventeen years of age. Then he engaged in scafaring, which he had
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followed for twenty years when he lost his life in a shipwreck. He married Margaret Davis, and they had a large family.
James Grafton, Jr., the father of Frank Willard, after acquiring his education in the public schools of Cushing, went to sea, con- tinuing to make voyages for five years there- after. He then came to Laconia, N.H., and worked at brickmaking for a year. In 1862 he enlisted in the Third New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, and subsequently served two and one-half years in the Civil War. After receiving his discharge he returned to Bow, where he has since been engaged in farming. He married Mary Jane Collins; and they had two children, of whom Frank W. is the only survivor. His maternal grandparents were James and Elmirah Collins, of Goffstown, Hillsborough County ..
After attending the public schools and re- ceiving private instruction, Frank W. Grafton took a course of study at the Bryant & Strat- ton Business College in Manchester, N. H. For the two following years he taught school in Bow. Then he took a further course of instruction in a Concord academy. In 1893 he entered the medical department of Dart- mouth College, from which institution he was graduated in 1895. Until May, 1896, he remained as house officer in the hospital, when he returned home to Bow. In Novem- ber, 1896, he began practice in Concord, N. H., in association with the late Dr. E. H. Foster. Since the death of the latter he has followed his profession alone.
On December 19, 1896, he was married to Edith Mathilde MacDowell, daughter of Ed- ward MacDowell, of Champlain, N. Y. Mrs. Grafton is an Episcopalian in religious belief. In politics Dr. Grafton affiliates with the Re- publican party. He has the distinction of having been the first Republican Town Clerk
of Bow, and is otherwise prominent in town affairs. He is identified with Grange No. 189, of Bow, of which he has been an officer ; and with the Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F., of Hanover, N.H. He is also a member of the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers and of the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order.
AMUEL C. CARTER, a farmer of Loudon township, was born here October 19, 1840, son of Clark and Eunice (Elliott) Carter. His grandfather, Samuel Carter, who was born in Loudon, mar- ried Rachel French, also of this township. The father, born January 18, 1812, and a farmer by occupation, married Eunice Elliott. She was born October 11, 1817, daughter of Samuel Elliott, a farmer and shoemaker of - Loudon. Clark Carter died June 22, 1880. His widow now resides with their son Wyman on the homestead. Their other children were : Samuel C., the first-born; Clara Ann, who died at the age of two and one-half years; and Clara, born in October, 1860, who married A. Jenkins, a farmer and a butcher of Barn- stead, N.H.
Samuel C. Carter was about thirty years old when he took charge of the old farm. On September 29, 1891, he married Ann Augusta French, of Loudon, who was born May 2, 1841. The grandparents of Mrs. Carter were Joshua and Sally (Sargent) French. Joshua French died in 1842. His son, Daniel S. French, a farmer and a cooper by trade, was twice married, first on September 12, 1833, to Ann Neal, of Loudon. She died November 19, 1839, at the age of twenty-eight, leaving two children, namely : Vienna Jane, born June 21, 1834, who died October 27, 1854; and Juliette, born December 19, 1835, who mar- ried Benjamin F. Maxfield, and now resides in
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1
Loudon. The second marriage of Mr. French was contracted July 19, 1840, with Mrs. Mary Haynes, the widow of Calvin Haynes, whom she married April 27, 1837. She was born in Concord, May 11, 1808, daughter of Samuel Haynes, of Greenland, N.H., and his wife, Hannah (Bachelder) Haynes, of Loudon. Mrs. Carter is the only child of Mr. French's second wife.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carter occu- pied the Stevens farm for about two years, and carried on the store and post-office. In 1894 they removed to their present home, known as the David French farm, which contains about ninety acres of land. Mr. Carter devotes his entire attention to general farming. He is a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Carter is a member of the Free Will Baptist church at the Centre, and takes an active interest in church work.
01 ON. JOHN C. LINEHAN .- "A hundred years after the Puritans and Pilgrims made a settlement on the coast of New England there came to this country a multitude of emigrants, mostly from the north of Ireland, who soon became ab- sorbed into the ranks of the first settlers, and became the very best of citizens. In the con- test for independence they rendered the most efficient services to the colonies, as they had previously done in protecting the frontiers from the inroads of the Indians. After another century, our doors having been opened wide for the reception of people from every country, there came to these shores a tide of emigration from Central and Southern Ireland, which seemed at one time as if it would de- populate the Emerald Isle. In numbers like the countless hosts of the Goths and Vandals who overran the Roman Empire, but pacific in their intentions, they sought in America
homes for themselves and their children, where, under the flag and protection of the young republic, they could enjoy that liberty which had been denied them in their old home, and secure those advantages which thrift and industry offered in the New World.
"When the country of their adoption was in danger from organized rebellion, none hastened to its defence with more zeal and courage than these newly made citizens. In the baptism of blood that followed, the heterogeneous mass was welded into one great people."
One of these later emigrants was John Cor- nelius Linehan, the well-known Insurance Commissioner of New Hampshire, who was born in Macroom, Cork County, Ireland, on February 9, 1840, son of John and Margaret (Foley) Linehan. His paternal ancestors for four generations had been engaged in the mill- ing and grain business. He came to this country with his mother, a brother, and two sisters, in October, 1849, his father having come two years previously. Locating with the family in Danbury, N. H., he there at- tended the public schools, and subsequently continued his studies at home under the direc- tion of his father, who was a man of superior education. In May, 1852, he removed to Pen- acook, then known as Fisherville, finding employment in the spinning-room of H. H. & J. S. Brown's cotton-mill. He left that place in February, 1857, and entered Rolfe Brothers' sash, blind, and box factory, where he became foreman of the box department. August 16, 1861, he gave up his position, and enlisted as a member of the band attached to the Third New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, serving therein until he received his dis- charge. Mr. Linehan then entered the employ of Barron, Dodge & Co., flour manu- facturers of Penacook, laboring a year as fore- man of the packing department. Later he
JOHN C. LINEHAN.
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.worked for the Caldwell & Amsden furniture company as shipping clerk, remaining with them until April, 1866. He then went into business in company with Henry F. Brown, under the firm name of Brown & Linehan, which partnership lasted until 1869. Mr. Linehan subsequently continued the business alone for twenty-two years. September 27, 1890, he was appointed by Governor D. H. Goodell Insurance Commissioner of New Hampshire for three years; in September, 1893, he was reappointed by Governor John B. Smith; and in October, 1896, was reap- pointed by Governor Charles A. Busiel.
In politics Mr. Linehan affiliates with the Republican party. He has been officially prominent, serving as a member of the Com- mon Council of Concord in 1872 and 1873, member of the Board of Aldermen in 1877 and 1878, and in Governor Charles H. Saw- yer's Council in 1887 and 1888. He became a Trustee of the State Industrial School in 1884, was for three years Secretary of the Board, and is at the present time its Presi- dent. From 1885 to 1895 he was one of the Directors of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memo- rial Association. He is a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society and of the Charitable Irish Society of Boston, and Treas- urer-general of the American-Irish Historical Society. In June, 1887, he received the degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth Col- lege in recognition of his literary labors. In religion he belongs to the old faith of his fatherland. One of his brothers, the Rev. T. P. Linehan, is pastor of the Catholic (Irish) parish of Biddeford, Me.
On January 2, 1864, Mr. Linehan married Miss Mary E. Pendergast, of Penacook. They have four children: Margaret A., a Sister of Mercy at Portland, Me .; John J., of Spring- field, Mass .; Timothy P., of Newburyport,
Mass .; and Henry F. Mr. Linehan is a member of W. I. Brown Post, No. 31, G. A. R., of Penacook, having officiated as its First Commander; he has twice served as del- egate to the National Encampment from New Hampshire, in 1878 and 1879; was a member of the National Council of Administration in 1880 and 1881; Department Commander of New Hampshire G. A. R. in 1883 and 1884; President of the New Hampshire Veteran As- sociation in 1885 and 1886; served on the National Pension Committee, G. A. R., from 1884 to 1888; and was unanimously chosen Vice-Commander-in-chief at St. Louis in 1887. He resides in Penacook, a suburb of Concord.
IRAM N. HAYWARD, Librarian of the Silsby Free Public Library at Acworth, N. H., was born in this town, April 6, 1837. His parents, Joseph and Patty G. (Slader) Hayward, were also natives of Acworth.
His paternal grandfather, Jacob Hayward, was born in Bridgewater, Mass. From Mitch- ell's history of that early settled town in Plymouth County we learn that he was the third in direct line to bear the name of the Hebrew patriarch, and that he was the sixth in descent from Thomas Hayward, the immi- grant progenitor, who was one of the original proprietors of Bridgewater. Nathaniel Hay- ward, son of Thomas, was the father of Benja- min, whose son, Deacon Jacob, born in 1712, had a son Jacob, born in 1738. This second Jacob Hayward married Joanna Snell, and, as the old record has it, "removed from town." The Acworth historian notes his coming to Acworth about 1788.
Jacob Hayward, third, who was by occupa- tion a farmer, probably came here with his parents when a young man. He died July 5,
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1836, survived by his wife, formerly Esther Finlay, of Londonderry, N. H., who died Jan- uary 25, 1862. This couple had thirteen chil- dren : Betsey, Laura, Sally, Patty, Hiram, Polly, Harvey, Susan, Emeline, Joseph, Louisa, Nancy, and Fanny.
Joseph Hayward, Hiram N. Hayward's father, was born March 16, 1810. A lifelong resident of Acworth, he followed the pursuit of agriculture up to the time of his death, which took place June II, 1888. His wife, who was born May 2, 1815, was a daughter of Thomas and Philharma (Grout) Slader. Mr. Slader also was a farmer. He died in 1865, having been three times married. Mrs. Hay- ward had two sisters - Betsey and Philharma. She died January 31, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hayward were the parents of eight children, Hiram N. being the eldest. The second child, Martha A., was born March 18, 1839, and died December 25, 1855; the third, Laura A., was born October 28, 1841, and died May 18, 1860; the fourth, Sylvanus A., born February 10, 1844, is a successful and popular teacher, living in West Harwich, Mass. He was married January 11, 1874, to Miss Alice Smith, and has two children: Warren L., born August 20, 1879; and Annie Louise, born October 27, 1883. The fifth child, Charles Jacob Hayward, born Septem- ber 10, 1846, was founder, president, and principal of Hayward Commercial College at St. Louis, Mo., which was established in 1876. He died in December, 1893. On July 14, 1875, he was married to Alice C. Whit- ney, who now resides in Boston. The sixth child, Leavitt F., who was born September 13, 1850, succeeded his brother as president and principal of Hayward College. He mar- ried Miss Margaret Mooney. The seventh child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hayward, Lizzie Esther, born August 30, 1853, died February
7, 1889. She was the wife of S. L. Holden, of Charlestown, N.H., who is now in Wiscon- sin. The youngest child, Angie M., born January 5, 1867, is the wife of Abner G. Liv- ingston, a farmer of Acworth.
Hiram N. Hayward acquired his education in the common schools of Acworth. He left home when he attained his majority, and worked at farming for some time; and he sub- sequently purchased his father's farm. In 1882 he moved to his present homestead, where he carries on agricultural pursuits. He has always taken an interest in educational matters, and given his aid to every worthy project calculated to advance the higher inter- ests of the community. In 1892 he was ap- pointed Librarian of the Silsby Library, of which he is also Treasurer and Trustee; and no more efficient or popular official could be found. The Silsby Library was the gift of Ithiel Homer Silsby, of Acworth, who was proprietor of the old Winthrop House in Bos- ton, that was burned in 1866. The library is a beautiful structure of brick and marble; and the interior furnishings include twenty-eight life-size portraits of old leading citizens of Acworth, and a rare collection of stuffed birds. The library was dedicated in August, 1892.
Mr. Hayward was married October 16, 1862, to Ann S., daughter of Chapin Kidder and Pamelia (Graham) Brooks. She was born in Lunenburg, Vt., December 5, 1835. Mr. Brooks was born in Alstead, N. H., December 18, 1804. He was a farmer, shoemaker, mer- chant, and general manager of a shoe factory, and was what is called a forehanded man, being possessed of means beyond his immedi- ate needs. He removed to Acworth in 1844, and died here, December 3, 1881. His wife, who was born in Rutland, Mass., March 15, 1814, died November 28, 1858. Mr. and
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Mrs. Brooks had five children : Ann S. (Mrs. Hayward) ; Jane, wife of Freeman F. Hay- ward; William; John G .; and Henry A. William Brooks is a member of the firm of Prentiss, Brooks & Co., of Holyoke, Mass., wholesale dealers in grain, hay, and produce. He married Miss Nettie E. Keyes, of Lemp- ster, N. H. John G. is a lecturer at Harvard College. He married Mrs. Helen Washburn, widow of Francis Washburn and daughter of Amos Lawrence. Henry A. Brooks, who was a surveyor, went West in 1870, and has not since been heard from. Mr. and Mrs. Hayward have no children. Mr. Hayward is an active and popular Republican. He has been Selectman ten years, Town Clerk four years, Town Treasurer two years, and is now a member of the School Board; and he was County Commissioner from 1887 to 1893, and in the legislature in 1880 and 1881. He is an active member of the Congregational church, to which his wife also belongs.
ON. EZRA SCOLLAY STEARNS, Secretary of the State of New Hamp- shire since 1891, came to that office superabundantly qualified to meet its most exacting requirements. He was born in Rindge, N. H., September 1, 1838, son of Samuel and Mary Fitch (Moore) Stearns, his father being a native of Brattleboro, Vt., and his mother of Sharon, N.H. Through his mother he is connected with the Fitch family, several members of which were men of distinc- tion during the Colonial period. The family was of Scotch-Irish origin; and the city of Fitchburg, Mass., was named in honor of John Fitch, a descendant in the fourth generation of the original American ancestor. The Stearns family is of English origin. Daniel Stearns, grandfather of Ezra S., at first a resi-
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