USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 9
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
which he conducted for a year. In 1870 he went to Epsom, and formed a partnership with Jacob F. Robinson, the firm of Silver & Robinson conducting a thriving business for thirteen years. He then associated himself with Charles S. Hall, his present partner, and the firm of Silver & Hall have since had a profitable trade in Gossville.
On November 30, 1870, Mr. Silver married Juliette E. James, daughter of Jeremiah G. James, of Deerfield. Mr. and Mrs. Silver have one son, Harry, who was born Septem- ber 2, 1882. During the years 1878 and 1879 Mr. Silver represented Epsom in the legis- lature, and was the first Republican member of that body from this town. He has been Post- master in Gossville since 1881. He is con- nected with Rockingham Lodge, F. & A. M., of Candia, N. H., and has occupied all of the im- portant chairs in Evergreen Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Short Falls. He ranks among the leading business men of Epsom, and his political ser- vices are highly appreciated by his fellow- townsmen.
ARREN SARGENT, a brick manu- facturer of Allenstown, and a son of Sterling and Sarah (Gault) Sar- gent, was born in this town, September I, 1837. The genealogy of the Sargents, who are of English origin, is directly traced through eight generations to Richard Sargent, who is supposed to have been an officer in the royal navy of England. The first ancestor to come to America was William Sargent (first), who was born in England about the year 1602, and first settled in Ipswich, Mass. Later he moved to Newbury, and still later to Hampton, N. H. A more extended account of the Sargent family will be found in the sketch of the life of Philip Sargent. The great-grandfather of Warren Sargent, also
74
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
.
named Sterling, was born in Salisbury, Mass., May 25, 1731. When a young man he settled in Allenstown, where he followed agriculture during the active period of his life, and lived to a good old age. He was three times mar- ried. By his first union, contracted with Lydia Coffin, there were five children, of whom Philip was the youngest. On Septem- ber 24, 1785, he married Mehitable Davis, a native of Amesbury, Mass. His third mar- riage, which was performed February II, 1788, united him to Mary Andrews, of Pem- broke, N. H., who died in February, 1820.
Philip Sargent, the grandfather of Warren, was born in Allenstown, March 21, 1765. He was a prosperous farmer, resided in this town throughout his entire life, and died February 21, 1820. In 1793 he married Sally Perrin, a native of Pembroke, who had one child, Sterling. Sterling Sargent, who was born in Allenstown, March 20, 1794, enlisted for service in the War of 1812 as a drummer, joining in 1814 Captain . Sam- uel Collins's company, and subsequently served in John Montgomery's brigade under General Nathaniel Fisk, receiving promotion to the rank of Drum Major. After his return from the army he engaged in the manufacture of brick in Allenstown, and afterward followed that business successfully for many years in connection with farming. A stanch supporter of the Democratic party, he was a member of the Board of Selectmen for a number of years, and was a Representative to the legislature from this district for eight consecutive terms. He was well advanced in Masonry. At the age of seventy-four he died. His wife Sally, whom he married December 29, 1814, was a daughter of Matthew Gault, of Hookset, N. H., who served as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War. She became the mother of eleven children, five of whom are living;
namely, Philip, Mrs. Sally Hartwell, Mrs. WV. F. Head, Warren, and Abbie. Abbie is the wife of Nathaniel B. Emery, of Pembroke, N. H., and has two children - Frederick P. and Nathaniel B., Jr. Mrs. Sterling Sargent died at the age of sixty-seven. Both she and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
After attending the common schools of his native town for the usual period, Warren Sar- gent completed his education in New London, N. H. Then he worked upon the home farm until 1861, when he went to California, where he remained for over two years. At the ex- piration of that time he returned to Allens- town, and, forming a partnership with his brother Philip, engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1891 his brother withdrew from the firm, and since that time Warren has carried on Business alone. He owns and occupies a farm of eighty acres, which he cultivates . successfully.
On April 2, 1868, Mr. Sargent was united in marriage with Fannie E. Knowles, of Pittsfield, N. H. She died January 11, 1895, leaving no children. On June 9, 1896, he married for his second wife Mrs. Florence L. Staples Brown, daughter of James Staples, of Danversport, Mass. In politics Mr. Sargent is a Democrat. He takes a lively interest in the prosperity and welfare of the town, and is con- nected with the Patrons of Husbandry. Mrs. Sargent is a member of the Baptist church.
ILLIAM BROOKS WARD will be readily called to memory as a leading resident of Plainfield. He was born in Groton, Mass., May 8, 1818, son of William and Rebecca (Barrett) Ward. The father, who was a prosperous farmer in Plainfield, was twice married. His first mar-
.
75
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
riage was contracted with Rebecca Barrett, and the maiden name of his second wife was Rebecca. Boynton. His children, three by each marriage, were: William B., Rebecca, Sarah, Benjamin F., Alfred, and Cyrus. Re- becca married Norman Smith, a tanner of Lempster, N.H., and had two children. All the members of this family are now deceased. Sarah is the wife of George C. Freeman, a successful farmer of Plainfield, and has three children living. Benjamin F. successively married Edna Davis and Lizzie P. Spaulding. His second wife had one son, Fred S., who is a physician in New York. Alfred, who wedded Mary Burnap, of this town, and was a farmer in a Western State, died some two years ago, leaving one child. Cyrus, who for- merly conducted a bakery, and retired from active business some time since, wedded Martha Thornton, of Springfield, Vt.
William Brooks Ward was graduated from the Kimball Union Academy. He then en- gaged in educational work, and taught school in Louisville, Ky., for nine years. Returning to Plainfield, he purchased his father's farm, in the management of which thereafter he proved himself an industrious and capable farmer. His natural ability and fine scholarly attainments made him especially eligible for the public service. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for one year. He was several times a candidate for Representative to the legislature, but his party was in the minority. Much interested in military mat- ters, he was Captain of a Plainfield company of militia. An esteemed member of the Bap- tist church, he sang in the choir for many years. Mr. Ward married Maria P. Fuller, who was born in Plainfield, November 9, 1833. Her education was completed at the Kimball Union Academy, and previous to her marriage she was very successfully engaged in
teaching school. She has had six children, as follows: William H., born June 15, 1855; Arthur F., born June 26, 1856; Fred B., born October 3, 1858, who died in infancy ; Herbert E., born February 4, 1862; Ben- jamin F., born February 28, 1865; and Julia M., born March 15, 1872. The five surviving children were educated at the Kimball Union Academy and other well-known schools. William H., who is now a milk dealer in Bos- ton, married Alice Delancey, and has one daughter, Gladys N. Arthur F. resides at the homestead, and carries on the farm. Herbert E., who was graduated from the academy in 1881, after pursuing a course at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, taught school for some time, and about ten years ago became an employee in the well- known jewelry store of New York City con- ducted by the Messrs. Tiffany, where he is now the superintendent. Benjamin F., who was in the meat business, died of consump- tion, March 29, 1890. Julia M. is now the wife of William H. Skinner, of Windsor, Vt. The father, William Brooks Ward, died Sep- tember 18, 1892, at the age of seventy-four . years.
B ENJAMIN GLINES, a prosperous general farmer and stock-raiser of Northfield, was born in this town, October 3, 1839, son of Jacob and Elmira (Glover) Glines. His great-grandfather was probably the first settler in Northfield. Grandfather Abram Glines was a lifelong resident of the town. The father, now de- ceased, who was occupied in farming through- out the active period of his life, was twice married. The maiden name of his first wife was Nancy Glines. His second marriage was contracted with Elmira Glover, who bore him eight children. Of these two are living,
76
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
namely: Benjamin, the subject of this sketch; and Nancy, who married George Stewart, and lives in Franklin. The others were: Jacob, .Elmira, Isaac, Darius, Jacob (second), and Nancy (first). The mother married for her second husband John B. Glover, a native of Canterbury, N.H., born in 1814, who now re- sides with his step-son in Northfield. Her death occurred in 1889.
Benjamin Glines received his education in the common schools of Northfield. After his marriage he resided in Canterbury for a year, and then returned to Northfield, where he has since been engaged in agriculture. In 1885 he moved to his present farm of one hundred and sixteen acres. Here he carries on gen- eral farming, dairying, and stock-raising. On April 28, 1860, Mr. Glines married Annie L. Robinson, who was reared by her hus- band's step-father, John B. Glover. Mr. and Mrs. Glines have had seven children - Willie, Charles, Frank, Burt, Nellie, Ida, and Benjamin. Willie married Etta La Baron, of Sanbornton, and is now a carpenter in Tilton, N. H .; Charles wedded Mary Brown, and is following the same trade in Waltham, Mass. ; Frank, who wedded Mary Leaman, of Laconia, lives in Northfield; Burt married Ena Randall, and is residing in Can- terbury; Nellie died at the age of sixteen years; Ida died at the age of two years; and Benjamin is living at the homestead. Mrs. Glines has adopted a daughter, Rosa Tappen, who was born August 1, 1892. In politics Mr. Glines is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Baptist church.
J LEAVITT CAIN, M.D., born Sep- tember 26, 1859, in Goshen, Sullivan · County, son of George W. and Cynthia J. (Leavitt) Cain, is an esteemed physician of
Newport. The father, a native of Unity, N. H., after dealing in dry goods for some time, became a farmer. He now resides in Newport. In politics he takes an independent course. The mother, who came from Grant- ham, N.H., died at the age of seventy-six years. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their two children Willie G., the younger, a graduate of Dartmouth in the class of 1883, and living in Cambridge, Mass., is a physician.
J. Leavitt Cain grew up on a farm in Croydon, and received his education in the district schools and at Kimball Union Acad- emy. In 1883 he graduated from the medical department of Dartmouth College, and in the following year took a post-graduate course in New York City. He first located in Grant- ham, where he remained until 1889. In that year he came to Newport, where he has been successful in building up a good practice. He covers a large territory, visiting the sick for fifteen miles through the surrounding country. He is regarded as one of the lead- ing physicians of the county. He supports the Democratic party in politics, is a Mason of Mount Vernon Lodge and of Sullivan Commandery at Claremont, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. at Newport.
HITTIER BROTHERS, of Hopkin- ton, comprising Nahum Milton Whittier and Leon Dayton Whit- tier, who are extensively engaged in sawing, planing, and the manufacture of shingles and other forms of lumber, are sons of Jacob and Harriet (Sanborn) Whittier. The father was born in Hock, now Danville, N. H., in 1820. He was a son of James Whittier, a cousin of John G. Whittier, the poet, and his wife, Hepsibah (Hunt) Whittier, both of Danville.
J. LEAVITT CAIN.
79
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Reared in his native town, Jacob lived there until he was about thirty years of age. Then he removed to Hopkinton, locating on the Jewett road. In 1860 he bought the present home farm, and was here engaged in farming and shoemaking for a time. On October 24, 1862, he enlisted for the Civil War in the Sixteenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, going at once with his comrades to New Or- leans, where he was stationed for the most of the time he was in the service. With his health undermined by the enervating climate and the privations of army life, he was honor- ably discharged ; and he returned to his family just three days prior to his death, which oc- curred August 18, 1863. In August, in 1843, he married Miss Harriet Sanborn, daughter of Peter and Lucinda (Collins) Sanborn, of Dan- ville. They became the parents of five chil- dren, namely: Nahum Milton, one of the subjects of this sketch, who has never married ; Ausebia Angeline, now the wife of Sidney S. Upham, of Concord, and the mother of two children - Sidney Ethel and Burton Thomas; Charles Emery, who died at the age of three and one-half years; Emma Aldana, who mar- ried Arvin Samuel Roundy, of Concord, and has one child, Waldo Sidney; and Leon Day- ton, the other subject of this sketch.
Nahum Milton worked for a time in his · younger days as a carpenter, being afterward engaged in the milling business with Amos Frye. In 1885 he formed a partnership with his brother, Leon D. Whittier, who had also learned the carpenter's trade. Having estab- lished the present well-known firm of Whit- tier Brothers, they purchased a mill, put in improved machinery, and embarked in their present profitable enterprise. In March, 1894, the mills were burned, entailing a loss of two thousand dollars above their insurance. Messrs. Whittier, with characteristic energy,
at once replaced the building with a larger one, and put in first-grade, modern equip- ments. While they own about one hundred and twenty acres of land, they devote the most of their time to their mill, employing from four to six men in their busy season, and keeping two the year round. Besides lumber they manufacture cider, of which in 1896 they put out two thousand barrels.
Nahum has not married, and lives on the home farm. Leon Dayton on December 24, 1887, wedded Miss Hattie M. Story, daughter of Moses and Harriet D. (Story) Story. Both brothers are gifted musicians, and have been connected at different times with local bands. Nahum at the present time is leader of the Hopkinton band, and both are now members of an orchestra. The house they occupy was erected by their father, who left it in an un- finished condition when he went to the war. It has since been remodelled and enlarged, and a new barn and other farm buildings have been erected. Their widowed mother, who sur- vived her husband more than three decades, died December 6, 1895, aged seventy-one years.
OHN LANGDON SWETT, M.D., a leading physician of Newport, was born in Claremont, N. H., February 17, 1810, son of Josiah and Hannah (Healy) Swett. The grandfather, Josiah Swett, a farmer, was an early settler of Wenham and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He mar- ried Prudence Richards, and died at the age of sixty-four years. He was a Baptist and very rigid in his belief. His son Josiah, born in 1768, also followed farming. Josiah went from Wenham to Claremont when about twenty-five years of age, and in the latter town spent the remainder of his life. He owned a good farm, and was an industrious worker.
80
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
.
A Methodist in religious faith, he was yet tolerant and liberal. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat. He died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, Hannah, born September 24, 1771, died at the age of eighty-three. They had ten children - Sally, Hannah, Elizabeth, Clarissa, Joseph, Mehit- able, Marilla, Mary, John L., and Josiah.
Dr. Swett received his early education in the public schools of Claremont and at acad- emies in Meriden, N.H., and Wilbraham, Mass. Subsequently he taught school for two years, after which he began the study of medi- cine with Dr. Tolles and Dr. Kittridge, of Claremont. Then he took the medical lect- ures at Dartmouth College and at Philadel- phia, and graduated from the Jefferson Col- lege in March, 1836. In the summer of the same year he located at Newport, where he now resides. In the forty-five years of his professional career he acquired a most lucra- "tive practice and the reputation of one of the best physicians in the vicinity. He is now practically retired, as he limits his profes- sional visits to a few old friends.
On May 24, 1842, Dr. Swett married Eliz- abeth Kimball, who was born March 5, 1824, daughter of John Kimball, of Bradford. She died June 7, 1852. They had four children, namely : Frances M., now the wife of Charles C. Shattuck, of California; John K., who died at the age of four months; Elizabeth, who died when thirteen months old; and William K., who died in California, July 15, 1876, at the age of twenty-four. It is further stated of William that he was a physician, that he married July 6, 1873, and that at his death, besides his widow, he left two sons: John Langdon, born August 17, 1874; and. William Kimball, born June 10, 1876. Dr. Swett married again June 2, 1853, Rebecca Beaman, of Princeton, Mass., born November
15, 1822, daughter of Ephraim Beaman. She died on June 8, 1891, leaving no children. The Doctor has been a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society for nearly sixty years, and was its President for some time. He is an honorary member of several other medical associations in the vicinity, in Cali- fornia, in the Rocky Mountains, and on the Pacific Coast. He is an old-school Democrat and a member of the F. & A. M., Mount Vernon Lodge, Newport. For many years he has held an honored place in the Congrega- tional church. He is a self-made man, ac- tive, energetic, and good. His daughter has had three children: Elizabeth K., who died at twenty-three years of age ; Jane; and Charles C., born January 19, 1879.
ISRAEL G. MARDIN, one of Allens- town's most able and successful farmers,
0 was born in this town, January 9, 1826. His parents, Israel and Rachel (Ham) Mardin, were natives respectively cf Allens- town and Epsom, N.H. The paternal grand- father, Israel Mardin (first), a native of Ports- mouth, N. H., settled in Allenstown, and here carried on a good farm until his death, which occurred when he was forty years old. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Sally Doust, a native of Deerfield, and reared a family of five children, none of whom are living. His wife, who was a member of the Congregational church, reached the age of eighty-two years.
Israel Mardin (second), the father of the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life at the homestead. On succeeding to the farm, he cultivated it successfully during the active period of his life. He took an active part in political affairs, and was elected a Representa- tive to the legislature for two terms by the
8 1
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Democratic party. He died at the age of sixty-five. His wife, Rachel, a daughter of George Ham, of Epsom, made him the father of seven children, five of whom are living; namely, Harrison B., William D., Israel G., John, and James C. Harrison B. married Ann Gove, of Wentworth, N. H., and has one son, Charles; William D. married Caroline Monahan, of Francestown, N. H., and has five children - Frank, George, Emma, Nellie, and Carrie; John married Ellen L. Flint, of Allenstown, and his children are: John, Mabel, and Hattie A .; James C. married Sarah Wiggins, of Deerfield; and she is the mother of two children - Burt and Rachel. Mrs. Rachel Mardin lived to be eighty-one years old. She and her husband were attend- ants of the Congregational church.
Israel G. Mardin was reared and educated in Allenstown. After leaving school he was employed in a brickyard for a time. Subse- quently he took up farming, which has since been his principal occupation. In 1881 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty acres. The tillage portion of it is devoted chiefly to the raising of hay and grain.
On March 31, 1853, Mr. Mardin wedded Hannah J. Giles, daughter of Paul S. Giles, of Northwood, N.H. They have no children. In politics Mr. Mardin is a Democrat. He has served as Supervisor of the Check List and 'as Highway Surveyor. One of the leading farmers of Allenstown, and possessing many admirable qualities, he has the esteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen.
OHN S. FORD was a well-known farmer and land-owner of Danbury. A native of Grafton, N.H., and a son of Archibald F. and Polly (Searle) Ford, he was
born October 15, 1824. His grandfather, Robert Ford, one of a large family of children, was one of the early settlers of Grafton, where he secured a grant of land, and thereafter cul- tivated it until his death. Robert married Mary Riddle, and they reared a family of four sons and three daughters.
Archibald Ford, like his father, was a farmer. After the birth of his son John he moved to Danbury, where he spent the latter part of his life, and died June 15, 1878. Be- sides cultivating his land, he made important highway surveys. His other children were: Mary S., George N., Charles, and Robert. Mary, now Mrs. N. W. Flanders and a widow, lives at Wilmot Flat, and has two sons - Charles F. and James; Robert lives at Camp- ton, N.H., and has four children; George, now deceased, left eight children.
John S. Ford, who was the eldest of his parents' children, was educated in the Dan- bury schools and in Franklin Academy; and he lived on the homestead until he was twenty-two years of age. When the Northern Railroad was being built, he was employed on the gradings and on the stone work. Later he was made station agent, and he has had charge of a lunch-room in the depot. In 1876 he returned to the farm which he inherited from his father. Here he raised some stock, principally cows and sheep. The proprietor of about twelve hundred acres, he was one of the largest land-owners in the section. Some years ago he drove cattle from Massachusetts up here to pasture.
In 1847 Mr. Ford married Julia Litchfield, daughter of George and Lucy (Randall) Litch- field, of Scituate, Mass. An adopted son, George A., died January 19, 1885, leaving a wife and three children. Mr. Ford was Town Treasurer for a number of years. In 1866-67 he represented the town in the State legis-
82
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
lature. He was a Mason in good standing. In politics he was a Democrat, and he cast his first ballot for President in 1848. He died March 26, 1897.
ENRY K. JENNEY, a farmer of North Charlestown, was born April 19, 1847, in Plainfield, this county, son of E. O. Jenney. The Jenney family is one of the oldest in the county. Silas Jenney, the grandfather of Henry K., settled in Plainfield, and carried on a large farm there. E. O. Jenney, his son, bought a farm in the eastern part of Plainfield, and lived thereon until 1859. Then he moved to the northwest part of the same town, and bought another farm. He raised sheep and cattle on a large scale, and he died in 1876.
.
Henry K. Jenney, the subject of this sketch, received his knowledge of the rudi- ments in the district schools of Plainfield. Then he attended Meriden Academy two terms each year for three years, working on his father's farm for the balance of the year. At the age of twenty, starting out in life for himself, he worked in his native town for a time. In the spring of 1870 he left his home and removed to Charlestown, where he was employed on the farm of Thomas Whipple for two years. Then he bought a part of the Whipple farm, and he has since been success- fully engaged in its cultivation. During his residence here Mr. Jenney has bought and sold several farms in the village. Recently he bought the remainder of the Whipple farm, containing one hundred acres. Also, for the past twenty years he has been actively en - gaged in buying and selling stock of all kinds. He is a stanch Republican, has served on Town Committees, and is at present one of the Selectmen. A prominent member of the
Methodist church, he serves the society in the office of Director. He is a charter member of the Sugar River Grange, No. 190.
On June 14, 1872, Mr. Jenney married Helen Whipple, daughter of Thomas Whip- ple, of Charlestown. They have one child, Mary Alice, born May 30, 1873, who is a graduate of Steven's High School, and has taught school in Claremont and Charlestown for the past three years. The Whipple fam- ily have been connected with the town of Charlestown since 1725, when Moses Whipple, great-grandfather of Mrs. Jenney, settled there. He was a prominent man in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Jenney has in her possession to-day the original documents appointing him Colonel in the Colonial army, signed by King George III., and counter- signed by Governor Wentworth, . of New Hampshire. Thomas Whipple, who success- fully followed the occupation of surveyor, was superintendent of the Charlestown schools for thirteen consecutive years and a Justice of the Peace for thirty-five years. He died March 1, 1870. Mr. Jenney is regarded as one of the prominent residents of the town.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.