USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 22
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EVI W. DEARBORN, a busy farmer of North Hampton, was born here, Jan- uary 6, 1832, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Dearborn) Dearborn. He is descended from an carly settler of the
county. Simeon Dearborn, his grandfather, also a native of North Hampton, was a farmer, spent his whole life in the neighborhood of his birthplace, and died in his seventy-fifth year. IIc married Mary Smith, and was the father of a son, Jeremiah, who inherited the farm at his death.
Jeremiah Dearborn was educated in the district schools. He also remained all his lifetime on the home farm, having inherited his father's love of home. He married a North Hampton maiden, Hannah Dearborn, by whom he became the father of four sons and two daughters. These were: Isaac N., who died aged eighteen; Henry M., who died in 1862; Levi W., the subject of this sketch ; George; Martha J. ; and Ellen. Ellen passed away in 1861. George married Augusta A. Batchelder, of North Hampton, and resides in North Hampton. Martha married Thomas J. Philbrook, who died leaving her a widow. Her only son, George A., also died in early boyhood, aged fifteen, so that Mrs. Philbrook is alone in her bereavement.
Levi W. Dearborn was educated in the dis- trict schools and at Hampton Academy. After leaving school he engaged in farm work. He also Iearned harness-making from his father, who had followed that trade in his youth. He was afterward employed as a track repairer on the Eastern Railroad, now the Eastern Division of the Boston & Maine Railroad, from October 1, 1861, to October 31, 1895. In this occupation he had charge of a large number of workmen, and he was frequently called upon to repair the damages of wrecked trains and other railroad accidents. Rheumatism, contracted while engaged in this work, at last forced him to resign it. Hc then returned to his home, and has since been occupied in cultivating his thirty-five- acre farm. He also occupies himself some- what with harness making and repairing.
Mr. Dearborn was joined in matrimony with Mary E. Batchelder, a daughter of Nathaniel Batchelder, of North Hampton. Their only child, Herbert N., the light of his parents' lives, died in 1865, at the age of six years. Seventeen years ago they adopted a little girl, Lila A. Dearborn, whom they have educated and otherwise treated as their own child. In 1883 Mr. Dearborn was sent to represent this town in the legislature, and he discharged that duty efficiently and with ability. He is a member of the Rockingham Relief Association, and is in the communion of the Congregational church. Since he cast his first vote for James Buchanan in 1856, he has been loyal to the
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WILLIAM FRENCH.
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Democratic party through "good and evil report. ''
J OHN NORRIS, a prosperous farmer of Exeter, was born here in IS18, son of Josiah R. and Betsy (Conner) Norris. Josiah Norris, who was a native of Ep- ping, this county, followed the occupation of farmer throughout the greater part of his life in Exeter. He took an active part in local politics, and served the town in several impor- tant capacities, including those of Selectman and Overseer. To the day of his death he en- joyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. His wife, who deservedly shared the respect entertained for her husband, sur- vived him several years, having passed all her lifetime in Exeter.
John Norris grew to manhood on the pater- nal farm, receiving his education in the dis- trict schools of Exeter, at a boarding-school in Newfield, and at another in Hampton. Hav- ing finished his schooling he returned to the homestead, and, complying with his father's wish, he applied himself to acquire the practi- cal knowledge of agriculture necessary to con- duct the farm. Some time after, the entire management devolved upon him; and later, when his parents died, he succeeded to the property. The estate contains three hundred acres. All the buildings are modern and sub- stantial.
In 1838 Mr. Norris was united in marriage with Miss Mary B. Brown, a native of Ep- ping, this county. Of the several children born to them only two daughters survive, namely: Carrie E., who is now the wife of Moses A. Perkins, a resident of Epping; and Mary E., who is the widow of Mr. Harmon, lately deceased. Josiah Norris, who was the eldest son, served with distinction as a soldier in the Civil War. In the engagement at Port Hudson he received a gunshot wound, which ever afterward proved a sore affliction. In November, 1891, he answered the last call, and passed to the silent majority. John I .. Norris, another son, removed to the State of California, where he subsequently died. The mother passed away on February 15, 1846. In politics Mr. Norris is ruled by conservative
principles, and votes independently of all parties. He has attained to the venerable age of seventy-eight years, while his healthful ap- pearance gives the impression that he is fully a score of years younger. Surrounded by comfort and ease, he bids fair to enjoy many more years of life.
ILLIAM FRENCH, of whom a por- trait is herewith presented, has the distinction of being the oldest resi- dent of Sandown. He was born here, July 1, 1 808. His father, also named William, who was born in South Hampton, this county, came when a youth to Sandown, where he afterward resided. He bought the farm now owned by his son William, and there carried on mixed husbandry during the working days, while he preached the gospel on Sunday. His death occurred in 1860. His wife, whose maiden name was Phobe Mitchell, a native of Haverhill, Mass., died on the homestead, April 19, 1859. To her and her husband nine children were born; namely, Rhoda, John, William, Nathan, David, Abner, Mary, Eliz- abeth, and George.
William French is the only surviving mem- ber of his parents' family. He obtained his education in the schools of Sandown and New Market, N.H. In his youth he assisted on the home farm, assuming its supervision after his marriage. His farm contains four hundred acres of land, which he devotes to general farming. In point of improvements and equipments it is one of the most com- plete in the vicinity. He is now living re- tired from active pursuits, keeping a hired man to attend to the farm labors, and a maid to assist in the housework. For some years he transacted some insurance business in addition to his other employments. He has been an active and useful member of the Democratic party. Besides representing Sandown in the State legislature for two years, he was Justice of the Peace for many years before resigning the office in 1895, Selectman for a number of years, and much of his time Superintendent of Schools. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
On May 22, 1850, Mr. French married
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Mrs. Hannah (Lane) Morrill, the widow of Nathaniel Morrill, who was engaged in mer- cantile pursuits in Epping, this State, until his death in 1848. Mrs. French was born March 12, 1820, in the town of Epping, daughter of John and Judith (Rowe) Lane, the latter a native of Brentwood, this county. John Lane spent his life in Epping, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits much of his time. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, and in his native village built many houses, some of which are still standing. By her first union Mrs. French had no children. Of her marriage with Mr. French two have been born - a daughter, Mary Frances, who graduated from Tilton Semi- nary, Tilton, N.H. ; and a son, George Mor- rill. Mary Frances is the wife of the Rev. Willis P. Odell, pastor of a Methodist church at Buffalo, N. Y. George Morrill, who mar- ried Miss Anna M. Emery, of Suncook, N. H., is a very successful and prominent physician of Malden, Mass. Mr. French and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sandown village.
DWARD J. MOULTON, who for fifty years has been successfully engaged in the business of a joiner in Ports- mouth, was born on Jefferson Street, this city, on January 13, 1824, son of John and Sarah (Drown) Moulton. His great-grand- father, Joseph Moulton, who was born here in the year 1743, at one time served as Sheriff of this place. He married Miss Leah Bick- ford, by whom he had seven children; and his death occurred on December 8, 1808. Thomas Moulton, the second of the seven, and grand- father of Edward J., was born here, February 25, 1768. He learned the trade of a black- sinith, which he followed for many years with success. After that he conducted a livery stable business for several years. His death occurred on June 25, 1835, when he was sixty- seven years of age. He married Miss Mary Pitman, who bore him ten children; namely, Lucy P., Thomas T., Sarah, John, Benjamin, Daniel, Olive, Joseph Walton, David, and Mary. Lucy P. married Samuel Hawks; Thomas T. married Miss Sarah Pike; Sarah
became the wife of Hiram Paul; Benjamin married Olive Wiggin; Daniel married Miss Cyrenia Brown; Olive Clark became the wife of Joseph Drown; Joseph Walton married Miss Margaret Potter for his second wife; David married Esther Lang, and died in Cali- fornia; and Mary Jane is the wife of Samuel Adams, of the firm of Barker & Adams.
John Moulton's birth occurred May 22, 1798, in the house opposite the present resi- dence of his son. At an early age he learned blacksmithcraft ; and, as his name headed the first pay-roll of the navy yard for many years, he must have been one of the first smiths em- ployed there. He died in 1869. His wife, Sarah, was born March 2, 1798, daughter of Major Drown, who was extensively engaged in the beef shipping business. She bore her husband the following children: Eliza J., who married George Barry, and lives in Bos- ton, Mass. ; Edward J., now of Portsmouth ; Thomas, residing in California; Sarah, who is the wife of Henry A. Turner, of Boston; Jo- seph, who was formerly in business here, and Warrenton, both now deceased.
Edward J. Moulton received his education in the schools of Portsmouth, after which he learned the trade of a house joiner with Lenard Moses, of Boston. Soon after, in 1846, he returned to Portsmouth, and started in business for himself. This he still con- ducts, and it is now quite prosperous. In 1849 he went to California, where he spent three years; and just forty years later he was in California again. On September 7, 1851, he was married to Miss Susan J. Leach, daughter of Joseph Leach, of Eliot, Me. They have had three children - Susan, who died on April 3, 1863, six years of age; War- renton, now engaged in the grocery business on Cabot Street ; and IIenry T., who is carry- ing on a plumbing business at Cambridgeport, Mass.
Mr. Moulton was formerly a Democrat, but during the Civil War he became a Republi- can. His first Presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren in 1848. Before Ports- mouth became a city, he served as Selectman. In 1861 and 1862 he was an Alderman, and for two or three years he has served as Asses- sor. For thirty-four years he has been a
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member of New Hampshire Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been through all the chairs. He has belonged to the Mechanic Association for twenty-nine years, and in 1890 was elected its President, filling that office two years. In 1874 he was a Trustee of the association, also a member of the Finance Committee; and at the present time he holds the office of Treasurer. He is a member of the First Universalist Church of Portsmouth, of which he has been Warden, and is now a Deacon.
EORGE L. STOKELL, an esteemed resident and farmer of Exeter, was born in Lowell, Middlesex County, Mass., in 1846, son of George L. and Jane (Dexter) Stokell. George L. Stokell, Sr., a native of New Hampshire, in his young man- hood removed to Massachusetts, where he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits for the greater part of his life. He is-now seventy- three years old. His wife, also far advanced in years, is still the partner of his joys and sorrows.
George L. Stokell attended the public schools of Boston, Mass., until his sixteenth year. When the tocsin of war sounded in 1861, he donned the blue, enlisting in Com- pany A of the Eighteenth Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Infantry. At the expira- tion of his term of three years he re-enlisted, and entered on a second period of service. At the battle of the Wilderness he received in the right arm a gunshot wound that necessi- tated the amputation of the limb at the shoulder. In this engagement he also fell into the hands of the enemy, and was held in confinement at Andersonville for nine months. In March, 1865, after four years spent in the country's service, and having suffered the ir- reparable loss of his right arm, he was honor- ably discharged. Returning to Boston, he embarked in mercantile pursuits, in which he continued for sixteen years. In 1881 he re- moved to the farm in Exeter, where he has since made his home.
Mr. Stokell has been twice married. In 1871 he was joined in matrimony with Miss Ella Randall, who, passing away in 1883, left
one son, Edwin Stokell. Mr. Stokell's sec- ond marriage was contracted in 1884 with Miss Alberta Carroll, daughter of Dr. Albert Carroll, a practising physician at Exeter for many years. This union has been blessed in the birth of six children : namely, Reginald, Arthur, Ruth, Margaret, Anna, and Charlotte. In national politics Mr. Stokell is a stanch Republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He keeps fresh his memory of the war by association with the Grand Army Post of Exeter and by membership in the Prisoner of War Association. In religious belief both he and Mrs. Stokell are Meth- odists, and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Exeter.
HARLES TODD WOODWARD, a well-known physician of West Rye, was born in North Adams, Mass., September 13, 1869, son of Luther Warner and Mary (Todd) Woodward. His grandfather, Orrin Woodward, was a resident of Swanzey, N.H., where for the greater num- ber of his mature years he worked at the trade of wheelwright. Orrin Woodward de- voted much attention to water-wheels, and constructed very many of those put up in that vicinity. He passed his last years in North Adams, where he closed this life at the age of seventy-eight years.
Luther Warner Woodward was born at Woodford, Vt., and received his education in the public schools of Bennington, Vt., and those of St. Johns, Canada. He is a gas and electrical engineer, and has followed that call- ing in North Adams, where he has resided throughout his mature years. He united in marriage with Miss Mary Todd, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Todd, of North Adams. They have three sons and one daughter - Jennie M., Robert W., John O., and Charles Todd.
Charles Todd Woodward acquired his prepar- atory education in the public schools of North Adams. At the completion of his common- school course he matriculated at Dartmouth College, from which institution he duly grad- uated in the class of 1893. On September 17, 1894, he entered on his medical profes-
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sion at Rye, where he has since resided. He has now an increasing and lucrative business.
On November 3, 1890, Dr. Woodward was joined in wedlock with Miss Carrie Harrower, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Harrower, of North Adams. They have one child, Mar- garet HI. Dr. Woodward maintains an inti- mate relationship with the medical profession of the vicinity and of the State through the medium of membership in the Portsmouth Medical Association and in the Dartmouth Medical Society. His political belief and as- pirations bring him into fellowship with the Republican party, of whose principles he is an earnest advocate and a vigorous promoter.
ERBERT W. MARSHALL, manu- facturer of all grades of light top and open buggies, road wagons, demo- crats, Concord wagons, and other vehicles at Kingston, is a worthy representa- tive of the native residents of this town. He was born August 1, 1853, son of James and Miranda (George) Marshall, the latter of whom was a native of Lyndon, Vt. The first of the Marshall family to locate in Kingston was James Marshall, Sr., the grandfather of Her- bert W. He came here from the northern part of New Hampshire a barefooted boy, and subsequently became one of the most prosper- ous business men of this locality. He first learned the business of carriage-making, and afterward the blacksmith's trade. Having become proficient in both, he established him- self as a carriage manufacturer, building a shop, which is still standing near the carriage factory of his grandson, Herbert W., and thereafter conducted the business for sixty years. He was also engaged in farming on a large tract of land in this vicinity owned by him. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Dudley, bore him six children, three of whom - Moses F., James, Jr., and Mary - have passed away. Mary lived but three years. The three surviving children are : Samuel C., who married Adaline Hurd, and is now a resident of Kingston village; John P. Marshall, a professor of Tufts College, Massa- chusetts; and Jesse P., who married Sarah Nichols.
James Marshall, Jr., was born, bred, and educated in Kingston. Succeeding to his father's business, he carried it on for the re- mainder of his life. He was also engaged in general farming. His death occurred March 8, 1887. His wife, who died July 5, 1884, bore him three children - John P., Herbert W., and Harold. John P., who was engaged as a carriage manufacturer in Franconia, N. H., was accidentally killed at his factory by a piece of wood projected from a circular saw. Harold, who attended Tufts College for three years, subsequently travelled extensively in this country and in some parts of Europe, lect- uring on different subjects. He is now located in Beverly, Mass., having charge of the Universalist church. Since his arrival in Beverly, he has raised and paid the amount of the heavy debt with which the church was burdened. He married Miss Bertha Hills, of Boston, Mass. He has many friends in Bos- ton, chiefly made through membership in sev- eral clubs of that city.
Herbert W. Marshall completed his educa- tion in the Exeter Academy. At the age of nineteen years the charge of his father's busi- ness devolved upon him, and he has success- fully conducted it since. The business, which is one of the oldest in this section of the county, was first established in 1800. The factory, distant about a half-mile from the village, is one hundred and eight by fifty feet, with ninety thousand feet of floor space. Con- nected with it is a large blacksmith's shop. Nothwithstanding that he has been burned out three times, Mr. Marshall has been very pros- perous. After each burning he rebuilt on a more extensive plan. Formerly he manufact- ured for the retail trade, but now his dealings are almost entirely with wholesale houses. In the interest of his business he travels exten- sively throughout the States. When running his factory at full force, he employs about twenty-five hands, and turns out fifty or more carriages a month. In politics he is a sound Republican.
Mr. Marshall was married September 21, 1882, to Miss Lelia Brown, who was born March 6, 1859, in the village of Kingston, where her parents, Elijah and Sylvania (Moore) Brown, are still living. Mr. Brown,
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who was formerly Postmaster of Kingston, and worked as a custom tailor, was born in New- buryport, Mass. ; while Mrs. Brown was born and reared in Brunswick, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have two bright and interesting chil- dren, namely : Marguerite, born September 2, 1887; and Ethel, born June 2, 1891.
ATHANIEL HAINES SIMPSON, an industrious farmer of Greenland, was born in that town, December 3, 1819, son of John and Comfort
(Haines) Simpson. His grandfather was David Simpson. John Simpson, also a native of Greenland, was a prosperous farmer and a successful business man. He married Com- fort Haines, daughter of Nathaniel Haines, of this town, and by her became the father of eleven children, ten of whom reached matu- rity. These were: Charles, Catherine, John, Sarah A., Augustus W., Mary, Nathaniel H., Phila M., Joseph, and Susan. Charles died at the age of twenty-one years; Catherine died in Exeter, at an advanced age; John died at the age of fifty; Sarah A. passed away at the age of seventy ; Augustus W. also died at the age of fifty; Mary married Mr. Augustus Lovering; Phila M. died on December 30, 1895; and Susan, who is the wife of Mr. Erastus Hartford, resides in Boston. The father died in 1864 at the age of eighty-four years. His wife passed away in 1876, at the age of eighty-seven.
Nathaniel Haines Simpson was born on the old homestead, where he still lives. He at- tended the district school and the academy, thereby securing a fair education. At his father's death he succeeded to the homestead, which contains sixty well-cultivated acres. He served the town acceptably as Selectman for three years.
On March 11, 1864, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Anne Rosamond Pickering, daughter of Judge James Pickering, of Newington, N.II. Mrs. Simpson com- pleted her education in the Portsmouth Acad- emy, and at the age of nineteen she accepted an engagement to teach in South Carolina. When the Rebellion broke out, she returned to Newington, where she continued teaching
until her marriage. Her father, Judge Picker- ing, was a native of Newington, born in 1801. He served as Associate Judge for several years. In 1826 he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth A. Miller, of Portsmouth, and became the father of seven children. These were: Harriet A., who died November 9, 1895, at the age of sixty-eight; Mary, who married Charles T. Emery, of Portsmouth, and died in 1876; Anna Rosamond, born in 1830, now Mrs. Simpson ; Juliette, who died in 1879; Frances, who is the wife of Samuel C. Perkins, and resides in Boston; James F., of whom no record exists; and Ruth A., who died at the age of twenty-four. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have a son and a daughter. The son, James C., who graduated from Dartmouth Col- lege in 1887, is superintendent of schools in Portsmouth. He taught the high school at Woodstock, Grafton County, for a time. Then he was superintendent of schools at Bel- lows Falls, Vt., for four years. Ruth Simp- son married Herman A. Nolte, of Milwaukee, Wis., who is engaged in the insurance busi- ness.
LIVER W. HAM, successfully en- gaged in the furniture and under- taking business at Portsmouth, was born here on October 16, 1852, son of Oliver W. and Mary J. (Frost) Ham. His grandfather, also Oliver W. Ham, and a native of this place, was engaged in business here for many years, and owned the property known as Noble's Island. He married Miss Mary Green, of Portsmouth, and became the father of two sons and two daughters, of whom the daughters survive. Oliver W. Ham, Jr., who was a stone-cutter by trade, worked for eight or ten years as a diver in building the walls around Kittery navy yard. Ilis wife, Mary J., was a daughter of Dependence Frost, of Elliott. They had nine children, of whom all but three are still living. The father died in his forty-second year.
Oliver W. Ham, the eldest child, received his education at Portsmonth. He began his business career as an employee in Rogers's wood-yard. He afterward learned the soap business in the factory of Horton D. Walker,
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with whom he remained for seven years, having been superintendent for three years of that period. Following that he engaged in the ex- press business on his own account, and fol- lowed it successfully for twenty years. Sell- ing out in April, 1895, he purchased the fur- niture and undertaking business of S. S. Fletcher. He is now the leading undertaker of Portsmouth, at the same time carrying a large and well-selected line of furniture for the wholesale trade.
In 1876 he was married to Miss Mary Hunter, a daughter of William Hunter, of Portsmouth. She died in 1881, leaving their only child, Oliver W., who lived but seven and a half years.
In politics Mr. Ham is a Republican. He is a member of St. John Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., of Portsmouth ; of Washington Chap- ter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; of De Witt Clinton Commandery, Knights Templars; and of Osgood Lodge, No. 48, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portsmouth. He is a communicant of the North Congregational Church, and for twelve years he was sexton of the Calvin Baptist Church.
OSEPH P. CROWELL, one of Wind- ham's prosperous farmers, a highly in- telligent and influential citizen, was born in this town, originally a part of Londonderry, November 30, 1824, son of Jesse and Hannah (Campbell) Crowell. The ancestors of the Crowell family in this country came originally from England. The Campbells of Londonderry, N. II., came directly from the north of Ireland, but were of Scottish blood and the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Crowell's paternal grandfather, David Crowell, a native of Mas- sachusetts, was the first of his family to locate in New Hampshire. He settled in London- derry, and became a prosperous farmer.
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