USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 13
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AMES F. YOUNG, a prominent citi- zen of Londonderry, commanding the respect and confidence of both social and business circles, is a native of Manchester, N. H. He was born November 15, 1831, son of Israel and Esther (Stevens) Young. Israel Young, who was a native of Manchester, removed to Londonderry in the thirties, and died here a few years later. Of the children born to him and Esther Stevens Young, his wife, the following survive : Charles E., Zebedah H., James F., and David H.
As he came to Londonderry when but a small boy, James F. Young was educated in the public schools of this town. When about sixteen years old, he began working at the shoemaker's trade; and he followed that occu- pation until about thirty years of age. He then purchased his present place, a well- improved farm of one hundred acres, on which are a fine residence and comfortable and conven-
iently arranged barns and outbuildings, all of which indicate the thrift and good management for which the owner has won a. reputation. He carries on general farming with profitable results.
Mr. Young married Miss Elizabeth Wilkins, daughter of the late Daniel Wilkins, of Lon- donderry. Eight children have been born to them; namely, Annie C., Charles F., Wesley J., Frederick A., William D., Mary E., John H., and Walter S. All are living except Charles F. and John II.
As was his father before him, Mr. Young is a stanch Democrat. He is a communicant of the Presbyterian church, and the family are highly esteemed members of society.
LBERT F. B. EDWARDS, a pronti- nent farmer and manufacturer of lum- ber in the town of Chester, N. H., was born in Charlestown, Mass., August 23, 1844, a son of Samuel W. Edwards. Samuel W. Edwards was born in Newfane, Vt., where he lived until after the death of his mother, which occurred when he was but twelve years of age. From that time he took care of himself, working at different occupa- tions and in various places. Going to Massa- chusetts, he lived for a while in Worcester, then in Boston, and eventually settled in Charlestown, now a part of the city of Boston. Establishing a bakery, he built up a good busi- ness, living there until 1846. Having accum- ulated some means, he then came to Rocking- ham County, and bought a farm in Chester, on what is now known as the North Pond road, where he engaged in farming and shoemaking for many years, afterward assisting his son Albert F. B. in the saw-mill. He died on January 16, 1878. His wife, formerly Sarah Underhill, a native of Boscawen, this State, whom he married in 1838, while a resident of Charlestown, outlived hin several years, pass- ing away January 17, 1895. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Cornelia, who died when young; Frank, who died in in- fancy ; Albert F. B. ; Isabella N., wife of John Clifford, of Manchester, N. II. ; Loren C., who died in 1861; Howard P., who died in the same year; and Charles II., who mar-
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ried Malita J. Knights, and now lives on the old homestead in Chester.
Albert F. B. Edwards attended school, and assisted in the labors of the home farm until eighteen years of age. Inspired by earnest patriotism, he enlisted September 16, 1862, in Company K, Fifteenth New Hampshire Vol- unteer Infantry, for nine months, going. out under command of Captain B. F. Hall and Colonel J. W. Kingman. For eleven months he endured the hardships of camp and conflict, his regiment being a part of General Banks's force on its expedition to New Orleans and in active service at the siege of Port Hudson. Mr. Edwards was here under fire, but mar- vellously escaped injury when the barrel of his gun was burst by a passing ball. With. his comrades Mr. Edwards returned home in August, 1863; but one year later he re- enlisted, joining Company D, Eighteenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Greenough, of Rockingham County. This regiment was stationed in Virginia through the following winter, and, besides doing engineer duty, actively participated in several engage- ments about Petersburg. Mr. Edwards after- ward spent some time in Washington, D. C., being present at the grand review and like- wise at the trial of Mrs. Surratt as an accom- plice of the murderer of Abraham Lincoln, subsequently receiving his honorable dis- charge in June, 1865.
In the spring of 1866, a few months after his marriage, Mr. Edwards purchased his present farm and saw-mill; and he has since carried on a flourishing business both in farm- ing and lumbering. He has seventy-four acres of land, which is in a fine state of cultivation and well improved in every respect. At his mill he is engaged in sawing, planing, edg- ing, and matching lumber for his neighbors in this and other towns, his being the only plan . ing-mill in this locality.
On November 16, 1865, Mr. Edwards mar- ried Anna E. Knights, who was born June 30, 1846, in Lowell, Mass., a daughter of Henry and Deborah (Ford) Knights, both natives of England. Mr. Knights came to this country with his wife when a young man, and, after living in Lowell for a time, settled on a farm in Chester, but since the death of his wife,
June 26, 1882, has lived with his son-in law, Mr. Edwards, and now assists him in the saw- mill. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are the parents of the following children: Oliver H., who married Fannie Tabor, and lives near the par- ental homestead, but is on the road much of the time, running a portable saw-mill; Henry A., who lived but three months; Gertrude M., the wife of C. C. French, a wheelwright in Rowe Brothers' mill in Brentwood; Georgiana D. ; James A. ; and Sadie E. Politically, Mr. Edwards is a stanch Republican and an influential member of his party. He is now a Trustee of the Chester Public Library, Su- pervisor of the check list, and Justice of the Peace, in the latter of which he is filling out his fourth term of four years each; and from 1884 to 1888 he served the town as Tax Col- lector. He has been connected with the Grand Army of the Republic since 1880, hav- ing been a charter member of Joe Hooker Post, No. 31, then of Fremont, but now of Ray. mond. In 1893 he changed his membership to the Bell Post, No. 74, of Chester, in which he has served as Commander the past two years. Mrs. Edwards is a prominent and active member of the Women's Relief Corps of Chester, of which she has been President for the past three years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always take an active interest in denominational work, Mr. Edwards being one of the Trustees of that church.
MERY N. EATON, the station agent of the Boston & Maine Railroad on the Eastern Division at State Line, N. H., and a prominent and esteemed citizen of Seabrook, Rockingham County, N. Il., was born in Seabrook, January 20, 1860, being a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Eaton) Eaton.
He is a representative of a long-established and respected family of this locality, and is a direct descendant of one of the very earliest settlers in Rockingham County. The first progenitor here was John Eaton, whose entire life was devoted to reclaiming and cultivating the section of land on which he located. Ilis son Jonathan became in turn the father of Jacob Eaton, the grandfather of the subject of
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this sketch. Jacob, who had his birth in Sea- brook, engaged there throughout life in gen- eral agricultural pursuits and in carpentering. He participated in the Second War with Eng- land; and, in recognition of his loyalty and of duty performed, his children received a pen- sion from the national government. He and his wife, Martha, were blessed in the birth of six children, namely: Samuel; Jacob ; Stephen ; Emery; Caroline, who still resides in Seabrook ; and Ardesira.
Jacob Eaton, 2d, the next in lineal descent to the subject of this biography, was also a native of Seabrook, where he was born in 1830. He received his education in the dis- trict schools of his natal town, and subse- quently for some time followed shoemaking as his vocation, though for thirty-five years he passed his life on the sea as a fisherman. He was joined in matrimony with Miss Rebecca Eaton, a daughter of True Eaton, of Seabrook ; and their union was fruitful in the birth of six children - Belinda, Caroline, Jacob
T., Emery N., Caddie J., and Lawrence. Only one of these, Emery N., now survives. Mr. Jacob Eaton enjoyed a wide circle of acquaint- ances, among whom he was universally re- spected. He for one year served the town in the official capacity of Constable. He passed away on January 17, 1894. His wife still survives him, and makes her home at Sea- brook with her son, Emery N.
Emery N. Eaton obtained his early intel- lectual preparation for the duties and responsi- bilities of life in the district schools of his ancestral town, and at the expiration of his period of schooling he learned the shoemaker's trade from his father. He as well as his father being also adepts in carpentering, they erected the buildings which now stand upon the estate. In January, 1895, he accepted an appointment by the Boston & Maine Railroad Corporation as station agent at State Line, a depot on the Eastern Division; and in that position he still officiates,
On July, 1883, Mr. Eaton was married to Miss Alberta L. Janvrin, a daughter of John S. and Emma E. A. Follansby, of Weare, N. H. Into their home have come with bless- ing two children - Caddy J. and Byron J. L. by name.
Mr. Eaton has been frequently elected by his fellow-citizens to positions of public trust. For eight years he has been a member of the Board of Selectmen; and for three years he has served on the School Committee, of which he has during two years acted as the Treasurer. For two years also he officiated in the capacity of Town Treasurer and for one term as Town Clerk. He likewise filled the position of Au- ditor for several years, and for the last eight years he has acted as the Moderator of the town meetings. During the last four years he has held the appointment of Justice of the Peace, and in the session of 1890 he enjoyed the dis- tinction of representing his town and district in the legislative halls of the New Hampshire State capital.
Socially, Mr. Eaton is identified with the Order of the American Mechanics, being affili- ated with both the junior and senior councils. In political belief and advocacy he is a mem- ber of the Democratic party ; and he cast his first Presidential vote for the present incum- bent of the chief executive office of the nation, Grover Cleveland.
HARLES E. YOUNG, a prosperous farmer of Londonderry, was born in Manchester, N. H., November 25, 1821, son of Israel and Esther (Stevens) Young. His grandfather, James Young, who was of Irish birth and Scotch ex- traction, and the first of the family in the Granite State, settled in Manchester over a century ago. Israel Young took up his resi- dence on a farm in Londonderry in the fall of 1837, and died there a few years after. In religious belief he was a Methodist, in poli- tics a Democrat. He reared several children, of whom the following are yet living : Charles E., the subject of this sketch; Zebadiah H., in Hanover, Ill. ; James F., in Londonderry ; and David H., in Manchester.
Charles E. Young was sixteen years of age when his parents removed to Londonderry. He attended school irregularly, and generally only in the winter months, until he was eigh- teen years of age. This, supplemented by personal study, has put him in possession of a good education. After leaving school, he
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began to work at shoemaking, and followed that industry until he was thirty-five years of age. Since then he has been actively engaged in general farming, in which he has been very successful. He has about sixty acres of land, well cultivated. One of the leading men in the farming community of London- derry, he holds the respect that is always ac- corded a man who rises superior to circum- stances by industry and perseverance.
In 1848 Mr. Young was united in marriage with Sarah D. Gilcreast, who died June 3, 1890. On August 4, 1895, he was united to his present wife, previously Mrs. Margaret (Moore) Young. She is a native of Manches- ter, daughter of Joseph and Ann G. (Brown) Moore, both of that city. Four of the chil- dren of her first marriage are living, namely : Henry I., in Wisconsin; Lucy, the wife of Ellsworth McComb, in Iowa; Ada A., in Manchester ; and David H., in Washington State. Mr. Young supports the Democratic party. His first Presidential vote was cast for James K. Polk, running against the Whig candidate, Henry Clay, and the Liberty party candidate, James G. Birney. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.
AMES PIKE, a worthy and much re- spected citizen of the town of Exeter, N.H., was born October 24, 1817, in the town of Lee, Strafford County, this State. His parents, John and Sally (Tilton) Pike, spent a short period of their wedded life in Masachusetts, but with that exception were lifelong residents of New Hampshire. John Pike was a farmer by occupation, and a quiet, unassuming man, who gave his chief at- tention to his own affairs. He died in 1825, before reaching the meridian of life. His widow survived him many years, departing this life in 1876.
James Pike, who was but seven years old when his father died, received but meagre edu- cational advantages, his mother needing his assistance in supporting her family of small children. Mr. Pike has always been engaged in farming pursuits, and through his unceas- ing industry and thrift has accumulated a fair competency. His present farm contains three
hundred acres of land, a good deal of which is in a fine state of cultivation, and is further improved with a neat and substantial set of farm buildings. His property is finely lo- cated, being but three miles from the city of Exeter, and is one of the most attractive and desirable estates in this vicinity. In politics Mr. Pike has been identified with the Repub- lican party since its formation, but has never been an aspirant for political favors, although he has served the town as Overseer of the Poor.
In 1844 Mr. Pike married Mary Jane Smith, a daughter of John Smith, one of the pioneers of Rockingham County. He has one son, John S., born December 10, 1850, who is now a prominent agriculturist of this town. A daughter, Mary A., died in 1857, aged two months.
ALTER S. GRAY, Assistant City Marshal of Portsmouth, was born here, December 26, 1843. Al- though he prepared for entrance to the high school, a desire to try a seaman's life led him, at the age of fourteen, to enter the United States Navy ; and he shipped aboard the sloop of war "Cumberland." When this vessel foundered March 8, 1862, he was fortunately among the number of the crew who were res- cued. He was rated as a landsman, and was discharged from the old frigate " Brandywine " on June 3, 1862. Among the battles in which he took part during his naval carcer were those of Fort Hatteras and Fort Scott. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G of the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, under Captain George W. Towle, and served until the close ef the Civil War. His regiment was first assigned to the Ninth Corps, and later to the Eighteenth. He was at the siege of Suffolk, the battles of Cold Harbor, Drury's Bluff, Petersburg, Fort Darling, the second battle of Fair Oaks, and at Fredericksburg, coming through them all without a wound. After the battle of Petersburg he was pro- moted to the rank of Sergeant. On his re- turn home in 1865 he entered the navy yard as a brick mason. Ten years later he left there, but continued to work at that trade for
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a time. He then entered the employ of C. E. Boynton, and had charge of a department in the brewery of C. E. Boynton for ten years. On resigning his position there, Mr. Boynton and the employees presented him with an elegant gold charm as a reminder of their pleasant relations together.
In his political views Mr. Gray is a stanch Republican. He served one term as a Coun- cilman from Ward 1, and declined a second nomination. On April 7, 1895, he accepted his present position of Assistant City Mar- shal, in which he is acquitting himself with credit. He is a member of Osgood Lodge, No. 48, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Grand, having successively filled the chairs; Past Commander of Canton Centre, No. 12; and is Past Governor of Colony No. 15, Pilgrim Fathers.
J OSEPH MONTGOMERY. - This ven- erable octogenarian, who is one of the best-known residents of Derry, and was formerly a member of the New Hamp- shire legislature, represents the fifth genera- tion of his family to occupy the homestead in this town. He was born April 9, 1816, son of General William and Mary W. (Anderson) Montgomery.
The family is of Scottish origin. Hugh Montgomery, the original founder of this branch in America, emigrated from the north of Ireland in 1719, and settled in what is now Derry, when this locality was mostly a wilder- ness; and he cut the first tree and made the first improvements upon the Montgomery farm. Hugh Montgomery was one of the Board of Selectmen in Londonderry in 1722. His son, Robert, Mr. Montgomery's great- grandfather, who was born in 1695, succeeded to the ownership of the farm. He enlarged its tillage area, and otherwise improved the property, which he cultivated successfully dur- ing his active period. He died in 1775. The next in line was his son, Hugh Montgomery, second, born in 1740, Mr. Joseph Montgom- ery's grandfather, who inherited the farm. He possessed good intellectual attainments, which he applied to the useful occupation of school-teaching, being a pioneer educator in
this town; and he carried on the homestead farm with energy and prosperity. He died in 1800. His natural ability and sound judg- ment in public affairs made him especially serviceable to the town as a member of the Board of Selectmen, and he was for many years a leading spirit in the local govern- ment.
William Montgomery, son of Hugh, second, was born at the homestead about the year 1788, and in his turn became heir to the an- cestral estate. Aside from being one of the most stirring and industrious farmers of his day, he was prominent in public affairs, sup- porting the Whig party in politics; and he not only served as a Selectman for a number of years, but was chosen as a Representative to the legislature for four consecutive terms, 1821-24. His steadfast adherence to the principles of honesty and integrity won the confidence of all with whom he came in con- tact ; and, aside from the political influence he had acquired, his long and honorable con- nection with the State militia, in which he held the rank of General, gave him an exten- sive acquaintance outside the limits of this county. General William Montgomery died very suddenly in 1845, aged fifty-seven years, being stricken with apoplexy in the field. He was a member of the First Church. His wife, who was before marriage Mary W. Anderson, became the mother of eight chil- dren, of whom Joseph, the subject of this sketch, is the only one now living.
Joseph Montgomery was educated at the Pinkerton Academy in Derry ; and for several years after leaving school he was engaged as a teacher, both in Derry and Londonderry, N. H., and in Massachusetts. He succeeded to the possession of the homestead at his father's death, and turned his attention to tilling the soil with the same vigorous and progressive policy which had distinguished his predecessors. In addition to cultivating the soil he carried on lumbering operations, which were well conducted, and exceedingly profitable; and for twenty-five years he was one of the most active and successful farmers of this town.
Mr. Montgomery married for his first wife Lucy J. Reynolds; and, of the four children
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born to this union, the only survivor is Fanny, who is the wife of Milton B. Hood, of Mel- rose, Mass., and the mother of three children- namely, Mercy M., Joseph M., and Laura. The other children by his first union were Lizzie, Nellie, and Lucy. For his second wife Mr. Montgomery wedded Fanny H. Chase, who became the mother of two children - Mary W. and Maria M.
Politically, Mr. Montgomery is a Republi- can, and has contributed his share of time to public affairs, having served upon the Board of Selectmen for several years, and during two terms as Representative to the legislature, displaying the same capability and excellent judgment in the transaction of public business which have always characterized his private enterprises. In his religious views he is a Congregationalist, having been for many years a Deacon of the First Congregational Church at East Derry. He is passing his declining years at his pleasant home, which has been the family residence for so many years.
HARLES P. ROBIE, the present oc- cupant of the old Robie homestead in Candia, which has been in the pos- session of that family for several generations, was born here, March 23, 1860, son of Samuel B. and Dolly H. (Beede) Robie. The family, which is of Scotch ori- gin, was founded by Ichabod Robie, who came to this country in early Colonial times, and settled in Candia. Levi Robie, the great- grandfather of Charles P., passed the greater portion of his life upon the Robic farm, and reared a family of four children. Grandfather Asa Robie, who was born at the homestead, followed the trade of a carpenter in his earlier years, but finally undertook the management of the farm, and thereafter conducted it until his death, which occurred April 15, 1868. Ile married Sarah Fifield, of Bridgewater, N. H. Of his four children, two are living, namely: Levi J., a resident of Candia; and Luthera E., the wife of Henry Ames, of Pena- cook, N. H.
Samuel B. Robie, who grew to manhood at the ancestral homestead, in his younger days was engaged in shoemaking. Succeeding to
the farm in his turn, its cultivation became his chief occupation for the rest of his life. In politics he supports the Republican party. Although averse to political notoriety, he served as Town Clerk with ability for some time. A generous, kind-hearted neighbor and a useful citizen, he was held in the highest esteem by his fellow-townsmen ; and his death, which occurred in November, 1893, was deeply regretted by all. His wife, Dolly 11. (Beede) Robie, a native of Kingsbury, Me., bore him several children, of whom Charles P., the subject of this sketch, is the only sur- vivor.
Charles P. Robie acquired a common-school education in his native town. After complet- ing his studies, he worked at shoemaking for two years. He has been since successfully engaged in farming at the homestead, at the same time ably maintaining the prominent position which the family has so long held among the farmers of the town. He owns one hundred and fifteen acres of valuable agri- cultural property, comprising tillage, pasture, and wood land. In addition to carrying on general farming he keeps eight head of stock, and sells considerable milk.
On October 4, 1887, Mr. Robie wedded Ina M. Westover, of Manchester, N. H. Mrs. Robie is the mother of four children, as fol- lows: Leon W., aged five; Albion E., aged four ; Oliver S., aged two years ; and Dora J., aged seven months. In politics Mr. Robie is a Republican, and is at present serving as Road Commissioner. The family attend the Congregational church. They enjoy pleasant social relations, having a numerous acquaint- ance, who hold them in high regard.
J WARREN SANBORN, a retired busi- ness man of Kingston township, was born May 20, 1833, in East Kingston, son of Stevens and Mehitable (Smith) Sanborn. His paternal grandfather, John Sanborn, lived and died in East Kingston, where he reared a family of twelve children, of whom the only survivor is Hannah San- born, of Haverhill, Mass., widow of the late Ira Clough, of that place.
Stevens Sanborn, a native of East Kingston,
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was a well-known farmer of that town, where he also carried on a substantial business as a tanner and currier. After living to an advanced age, he died April 12, 1881. His wife, Mehitable, a native of Gilmanton, Belknap County, passed away at a compara- tively early age on December 29, 1844. Of their six children, two died in infancy. The others were: Betsey J. S., born in 1835, widow of the late S. J. Perkins, of Exeter, this county: J. Warren, born in 1833; Abbie, who was a school-teacher, and died at the age of twenty years; and Francena M., now a widow living at Littleton, Mass., who was the wife successively of Henry H. Titcomb and Theodore C. Fletcher.
J. Warren Sanborn received an academical education. From the age of eighteen to twenty-five he was engaged in teaching, being employed in the schools at Exeter, and at Amesbury and Salisbury, Mass. After his marriage he took up his father's trade, locat- ing in Kingston, where he bought the prop- erty on which he now lives. Besides farm- ing, he also carried on tanning and currying and manufactured lumber. In his saw-mill he operated a circular saw. He owns fifteen acres of land, on which he has made valuable improvements. Although retired from busi- ness, Mr. Sanborn keeps busily employed. He is Justice of the Peace, and much of his time is devoted to settling estates and trans- acting other probate business. A most loyal member of the Republican party, he has never sought political office; yet he has served as a member of the School Committee, Select- man, and Town Treasurer. He is a Master Mason of Gideon Lodge, No. 84, of Kings- ton.
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