USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 39
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bandry in Kingston. A man of many social gifts, he is very popular among his townsmen. He takes a warm interest in all that concerns the town, and has in his possession editions of all the books ever published there, including an atlas and a number of histories.
R° OBERT H. HALL, who is prosper- ously engaged in the upholstering business at Portsmouth, N. II., was born March 1, 1848, in Hartford,
Conn. His father, Edwin Hall, was reared and educated in Bristol, England, coming from there to the United States when a young man. He followed the sea, being engaged in the merchant service as mate of a vessel, and was accidentally drowned on one of his voyages, leaving his young widow with three children, Robert H. being the eldest. A short time after, the mother also passed to the life be- yond; and the children were taken care of by strangers.
Robert H. Hall, thus early orphaned, was adopted by the late George H. Raynes, a ship- builder of this city. He was given excellent opportunities for obtaining an education, and after leaving the common schools successfully passed the examination for the Portsmouth High School; but on account of ill health he was not able to take the prescribed course of study. He consequently went on a sea voy- age, after which he began to learn the trade of an upholsterer with Sheldon Brothers, for whom he worked two years. He subsequently se- cured a position with Fletcher & Tanton, upholsterers; and, after remaining with them twenty-one years, in 1895 he bought the up- holstering department, and has since conducted the business, with which he is perfectly con- versant, alone. He has an extensive trade, and does a large business in upholstering and repairing, well sustaining the praiseworthy reputation of the previous firni.
In politics Mr. Hall is an uncompromising Democrat. He has served as Selectman from his ward, but declined the nomination for Alderman, which was proffered him in 1895. In social circles Mr. Hall is a conspicuous factor, his practical sagacity and unusual ex- ecutive ability making him an exceedingly
ROBERT H. HALL.
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helpful member of the numerous lodges with which he is connected. He has taken the thirty-second degree in Masonry. In St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and in Washington Chapter, he is Tyler; in Daven- port Council, Royal and Select Masters, No. 5, and in De Witt Clinton Commandery, he holds the office of Sentinel. In the Ineffable Lodge of Perfection he is Grand Tyler ; in the Grand Princes of Jerusalem he is serving as Tyler; in the New Hampshire Chapter of Rose Croix he is Captain of the Guard, having been previously Tyler of this lodge for thir- teen years, as he was of the Edward A. Ray- mond Consistory, of Nashua, N. H. Mr. Hall is likewise a member of Damon Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias, and of Portsmouth Lodge, No. 97, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, as well as the Portsmouth Athletic Club. In religion he is a commu- nicant of St. John's Episcopal Church.
Mr. Hall was united in marriage July 21, 1872, with Elizabeth L., daughter of Newbury Haley, of Kittery, Me. Mrs. Hall passed to the higher life February 25, 1896, leaving two children - Robert H. and Carrie E. The son is connected with the large grocery store of C. A. Taylor, of Haverhill, Mass. The daughter is the wife of William M. Tarleton, of Portsmouth.
J ONATHAN K. GORDON, formerly of Salem, N. H., was an old settler of the town. He was born here, September 12, 1809, son of Benjamin and Delia (Wheeler) Gordon. Ilis father, who was also a native of Salem, died here when Jonathan was but six years old. He is said to have been of Scotch origin, and was of the fourth generation of his family in this country. He was brought up to manhood on a farm in Salem. Having received very little schooling, at the age of nine he was bound out for seven years. When seventeen or a little over, he went to work for his brother, Benaiah B. Gor- døn, of North Salem, with whom he learned the trade of a mason, and remained a number of years. He spent the rest of his life either employed at his trade or engaged in farming. Energetic and intelligent, he was invariably
successful in everything he undertook. He was well known in the community and es- teemed as a good citizen. In his political belief he was a strong Republican. He was proud of the fact that he was a self-made man in every way. His death, which occurred on October 5, 1888, was mourned by all who knew him.
He was married in the year 1839 to Betsey A. Merrill, of Methuen, Mass., a daughter of John and Betsey (Gordon) Merrill. Mrs. Gordon had moved with her parents to Derry, N. H., when quite young, and was there mar- ried to Mr. Gordon. After her marriage she went to live at Salem with her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon had three children - Eben B., now deceased ; Mary A., the wife of Amos K. Noyes, of Lynn, Mass. ; and Serena E., now residing on the old homestead in North Salem, where she is well known. The mother died in Salem on September 30, 1883.
OHN C. EVANS, a prominent farmer and lumber manufacturer of South Hampton and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in Seabrook, N. H., November 27, 1829, son of Miles and Sally (Chase) Evans. Mr. Evans's grandfather, Lemuel Evans, who was a Revolutionary soldier, after living a short time in Rye, N. H., moved to Strafford, where he cleared a large tract of land, and died, leav- ing his family well-to-do, at the age of ninety- eight years. He was a hard-working and thrifty man and a useful citizen in his day. He married Sally Caswell, who lived to the age of ninety-six years. Of her thirteen chil- dren twelve grew to maturity, but all have since passed away. Grandfather Abram Chase was born in Seabrook ; while his father, Nehe- miah, came from England, and was one of the first settlers in Seabrook. Abram Chase mar- ried Sarah Gove, who was born in the old gar- rison of Seabrook. They had seven children, as follows: Sally, Abram, Abigail, Enoch, Joseph, Hulda, and Jane.
Miles Evans, who was born in Strafford, in young manhood settled in Seabrook, where he was engaged in tilling the soil for several years. His last days were passed upon the
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farm in South Hampton which his son now owns and occupies, and he died at the age of eighty-two years. In politics he was a Demo- crat and in his religious creed a Free Will Baptist. Ile was three times married. His first wife, in maidenhood Sally Chase, a native of Seabrook, became the mother of six chil- dren, three of whom grew to maturity. These were: Arthur L., who died aged sixty-eight years; John C., the subject of this sketch ; and Charles A., a prosperous farmer and milk dealer of Kensington, N. H. The mother died at the age of thirty-six years.
John C. Evans attended the district schools of Seabrook, and in early manhood he engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his present farm in South Hampton. His property contains two hundred and seventy-five acres of good land, the cultivated portion of which produces abundant crops of a superior quality. He has the reputation of being one of the most suc- cessful cattle raisers in this part of the county, keeping an average of forty head, some of which are full-blooded Herefords, and the others fine specimens of graded stock. His buildings are among the very best seen in the locality, and the general aspect of the farm very plainly reflects the prosperity of the pro- prietor. . In 1856 he built a saw-mill, where he has since manufactured building material with profit.
On December 10, 1866, Mr. Evans wedded Jane N. Frost. She was born in Salisbury, Mass., November 14, 1842, daughter of New- ell and Judith (Bagley) Frost. The former was a general farmer, who also followed car- pentering and blacksmithing in that town, and was a very industrious man. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in his religious views a Universalist. He died at the age of forty- seven, and his wife at forty-six years. Mrs. Evans's parents had six children, of whom five grew up, and three are now living, namely : Emily P., who is now Mrs. Bailey; Jane N., who is now Mrs. Evans; and Nelson G. Frost. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have three sons and one daughter, as follows: Sally J., the wife of G. Edward Battis, of Amesbury, Mass. ; Gid- eon W., John N., and Harry W., who reside at home. In politics Mr. Evans supports the Democratic party. He was for two years
a member of the Board of Selectmen, has served as Highway Commissioner and Surveyor of Lumber, and ably represented the district in the State legislature of 1871-72. Both he and his wife are very popular socially, having a large number of friends and acquaintances ; and they are highly esteemed by all who know them.
6 RANK D. LAWRENCE, residing
near the village of East Kingston, this county, is a skilful and practical agri- culturist. He was born April 5, 1849, in this township, son of Samuel P. and Charlotte S. (Philbrick) Lawrence. The father was a native of Londonderry, N. H., but was reared in this township, having been brought here by his parents when but six months old. He bought the land near the present homestead, and, after living there a while, sold out and bought the farm now owned and occupied by his son, Frank D. Here he conducted mixed husbandry until his death, April 1, 1891. His wife, who was a lifelong resident of this town, died, on the home farm, January 15, 1892, a few months after her husband. They were the parents of seven children, namely : John P., who died when young; Hannah P., who died in 1869, and was the wife of Henry Pratt, now a resident of Connecticut; Ann M., who lives on the old homestead with her brother, Frank D. ; Frank D., the subject of this sketch ; George, who died young; Ella J., who married James Gile, now of Haverhill, Mass., and passed away in 1891, leaving a daughter, Annie C., who lives with her father ; and an unnamed child who died in infancy.
Frank D. Lawrence received a common- school education, and was well drilled in the several departments of farming on the old homestead, where he remained until his mar- riage. He then continued his occupation on a farm near by, remaining there until the death of his parents. He then assumed the manage- ment of the old homestead estate. The prop- erty contains fifty acres of land. He raises hay, corn, and potatoes, with which he has good success, his land yielding bountiful crops, readily responding to the cultivation and care that he gives it. He keeps five cows,
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carrying on a small dairy business. In poli- tics Mr. Lawrence is a stanch Democrat, and is a thoroughly upright, honest man, always dealing fairly and squarcly by all. He is an active and capable business man, always ready to encourage and aid all beneficial enterprises, and occupies a high position among the leading citizens of the town. He has faithfully served in the various town offices, including that of Selectman.
Mr. Lawrence was married March 14, 1876, to Miss Francena E. Dow, who was born and rcared in this place, being a daughter of Aaron and Lucina (Moss) Dow, both lifelong resi- dents of East Kingston. Mrs. Lawrence died January 16, 1892, leaving two children - Joe F. and Eva M.
OHIN HENRY LANCASTER, one of Salem's oldest residents, is a native of Boston, Mass., born December 19, 1816, son of William and Mary (Brig- ham) Lancaster. He is a direct descendant of Henry Lancaster, an Englishman, who emi- grated to America in 1631, and settled in a part of this county then known as Bloody Point, but which now bears the name of Newington. His grandfather, John Lancaster, and his great-grandfather, Henry Lancaster, and two other relatives bearing the same names, served in the struggle for Ameri- can independence. William Lancaster, who learned the trade of a mason at Boston, Mass., became a contractor and builder, and erected many finc residences, churches, and public buildings in Boston. Seven children were the fruit of his marriage with Mary Brigham. Of these there are now living: Sarah, who is the widow of Caleb Saunders, and now resides in Hannibal, Mo .; and John Henry and Thomas D., both of Salem. The others were : Mary, Eliza A., Thomas D. (first), and Will- iam E. The father died in Boston, Septem- ber 24, 1821.
John Henry Lancaster was deprived of pa- ternal care at the age of five years by the death of his father. At that time he was taken charge of by his uncle, Thomas Lan- caster, of Newburyport, Mass., with whom he remained until he reached his majority. Up
to thirteen years of age he attended the public schools of that place, and then learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. At the age of twenty-one he went to Boston, and there worked at his trade until 1851. During the famous log cabin campaign of 1840, when W. H. Harrison ran for President, it was his privilege and pleasure to listen to a speech by Daniel Webster at a Whig celebration. In 1851 he came to Salem, and in the follow- ing year he moved with his mother into his present residence. His mother died February 14, 1869.
On May 8, 1860, Mr. Lancaster was united in marriage with Miss Maria J. McLaughlin, of Salem, a daughter of John and Susan T. (Kimball) Mclaughlin. Her father, who was born in Ircland, came to America when eigh- teen years of age, and settled in this town. Hc was a tailor by trade. Besides Mrs. Lan- caster, his wife bore him: James McLaughlin, of Manchester, N. H. ; John D., of Haverhill, Mass .; Mary E., the wife of L. O. Norris, of Methuen, Mass. ; Clement E., also of Meth- uen ; Kimball M .; and Loren B., of Salcm. Their father died May 29, 1864. Mr. Lan- caster, who is a stanch Democrat, served in 1859 as a Representative in the State legis- lature. For three years he was Collector of the town. He is identified with the Masonic Order. Mr. Lancaster, who is a man of ster- ling integrity, and his wife, a very interesting lady, are highly esteemed in the town.
OLONEL RICHARD M. SCAM- MON, one of the most prominent citi- zens of Stratham and a representa- tive of one of the oldest families in Rockingham County, was born at the Scammon homestead in Stratham, December 6, 1859, son of Richard and Abigail (Batchelder) Scam- mon The earliest ancestor of the Scammon family in America was Richard Scammon, who came to Boston, and removed thence to Portsmouth, N. H., where he was living about 1640. The family is of English origin, the first we know of the name being Captain Edmund Scammon, who was commander of an English war vessel, under Admiral Rains- borough, in 1637. The English branch of
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the family is at present represented by several families living in Lincolnshire, where they are landholders.
The children of Richard, the emigrant, were: (1) Richard; (2) Anne, who married about 1650 Major Richard Waldron, of Dover, and died February 7, 1685 (Major Waldron was killed by the Indians, June 27, 1689) : (3) John, who resided at Kittery, Me., had one daughter; (4) Elizabeth, who married first, about 1649, Peter Lidgett, a merchant of Salem, and second the Hon. John Saffin, Judge of the Superior Court of Massachusetts (she died in November, 1687) ; and (5) Hum- phrey, who was born at Portsmouth in 1640, married Elizabeth Jordan, settled at Saco, Me., and died January 1, 1727, and who has many descendants in Saco and vicinity.
Richard, son of the emigrant, came to this country with his father, and married in 1661 Prudence, daughter of William Waldron, Re- corder of Court at Dover. He lived at Ports- mouth and Dover until 1665, when he settled on the tract known as Shrewsbury Patent, of which he became sole owner. This was located on the east bank of the Squamscot River, extending from the mouth of Wheel - wright's Creek to the mouth of Moore's Creek and three miles inland, covering the southern part of the present town of Stratham. Though no part of his property was within the limits of Exeter, he was reckoned with the population of that place, held office there, and was one of the largest tax-payers. He died previous to 1697.
His son William, born February 28, 1664, served in war against the Indians in 1696, and was Selectman at Exeter in 1699 and 1700. When Stratham was chartered as a township, 1716, he was one of the first Board of Select- men, serving 1716-19. He married Rachel Thurber, of Rehoboth, Mass., January 4, 1721, and died September 28, 1743. His wife died September 25, 1761. She was an active Baptist and instrumental in laying the foundation of several churches.
Their son Richard, born on the farm, No- vember 17, 1722, married in 1753 Elizabeth, daughter of Lieutenant Samuel Wecks, of Greenland. He followed farming with much success. In the latter part of his life he was
a ship-owner, and interested in the West India trade. At the beginning of the Revolu- tion he served on the Committee of. Safety. He died August 26, 1806. His son Richard married Elizabeth Chase, and was the father of the Hon. Eliakim Scammon, of East Pitts- ton, Me., who was the father of the Hon. J. Young Scammon, the well-known lawyer and banker of Chicago, and General E. P. Scam- mon, of the United States Army.
James, second son of Richard and Elizabeth, born at Stratham, April 26, 1771, inherited the homestead, and married in April, 1796, Lydia P., daughter of Stephen Wiggin. He was a man of excellent judgment and business capacity. He gave his attention chiefly to farming, but dealt in real estate and engaged in various other enterprises with much suc- cess, and was the largest land-owner in his town. He was active in the church, and, po- litically a strong Democrat, served in the various town offices. He died April 6, 1859. Lydia, his wife, died October 15, 1840.
Richard, son of James and Lydia Scammon, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born at Stratham, October 24, 1809. Educated at Hampton Academy, he taught school in his younger years, but made farming his life work, winning an unexcelled reputa- tion for industry, good judgment, and integ- rity. He was a lifelong Democrat, but served many years as Chairman of the Seleetmen, though his party was a hopeless minority in the town. He died February 21, 1878. His wife, Abigail Batchelder, whom he married February 9, 1842, was born in North Hamp- ton, February 14, 1813, and died September 6, 1873. They had four children, all of whom are living, namely: (1) Hezekiah, born Janu- ary 31, 1843, educated at New London and Phillips Exeter Academy, resides in Exeter. (2) James, born June 10, 1844, educated at Phillips Exeter Academy, Brown University, and Albany Law School, is senior member of the firm Scammon, Crosby & Stubenrauch, lawyers, of Kansas City, Mo. (3) Sarah C., born December 16, 1848, resides in Stratham. (4) Colonel Richard M., the subject of this sketch. He was educated at Exeter High School and Cornell University, and resides on the homestead, which has been a possession of
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the family since 1642, having one of the larg- est and best farms in a town noted for its agricultural exeellenee. His ability and in- tegrity have won for him a high place in the community and in the affairs of the State. Politically a Democrat, he has done effective work for his party on the State and County Committees and on the stump. He was elected Town Treasurer in 1881, Superin- tendent of Schools in 1883 and 1884, Chair- man of Seleetmen in 1888, served as Modera- tor from 1884 to 1894, member of legislature in 1885 and 1886, and member of State Senate in 1890 and 1891; was nominee for Coun- cillor in 1894, and ran much ahead of his ticket; enlisted in the New Hampshire Na- tional Guard, 1882, and was promoted Lieu- tenant, Captain, and Lieutenant Colonel, holding the last commission from 1886 till 1892. He is unmarried, is liberal in his re- ligious views, and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the State.
FRED SANBORN, a wide-awake and progressive agriculturist of Danville township, Rockingham County, N. H., . was born April 30, 1858, on the home- stead farm which he now owns and occupies. Farming may be said to be his hereditary call- ing, both his father, John S. Sanborn, and his grandfather, Levi Sanborn, having been en- gaged in this independent occupation in Dan - ville throughout their entire lives.
John S. Sanborn was an industrious, hard- working man, who in addition to tilling the soil did an extensive business in teaming. He married Johanna B. Philbrick, a native of this town, and four children were born to them; namely, Levi F., Susan M., Eugene, and J. Fred. Levi F. Sanborn married Mary Morris, of Exeter, N. H. They make their home in Boston, Mass., he being a traveller for the hardware firm of Bolles & Wilde. Susan M. Sanborn is the wife of Russell H. Fel- lows, of Brentwood, of whom a sketch will be found on another page of this volume. Eu- gene died at the age of three years. Neither parent is now living, the father having passed away April 19, 1873, and the mother January 6, 1895.
J. Fred Sanborn received an academical ed- ucation in the towns of Kingston and Tilton, this State, and at the age of seventeen years started Westward in search of employment. He worked as a clerk in a grocery store in Chicago three years, returning then to the scenes of his childhood perfeetly satisfied to remain at the old home. The following year Mr. Sanborn worked for R. H. Fellows in the box factory, but since that time he has carried on the home farm. He now owns ninety acres of land, on which he has made many valuable improvements, and devotes his time to mixed farming and dairying. His well-kept farm and substantial buildings, with their neat and attractive surroundings, give ample evidence that Mr. Sanborn is a thorough-going and practical farmer and an able manager. In politics he is a sound Democrat.
On July 17, 1887, Mr. Sanborn was united in marriage with Miss Emma Cloutie, who was born in Lawrence, Mass., December 25, 1870. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emede Cloutie. Mr. and Mrs. Sanborn are the parents of three bright and interesting children, namely: John S., born September 3, 1888; Charles E., born January 27, 1890; and Harold B., born January 4, 1895.
RTHUR M. CHASE, Town Treasurer of Deerfield, N.H., son of Stephen and Sally (Philbrick) Chase, was born on the Chase homestead in this town, September 13, 1839, and is con- nected with some of the oldest families of the town. He is of the seventh generation in descent from Aquila Chase, who came over from England with his brother Thomas, and had grants of land in Hampton in 1640. Aquila had grants of land in 1646 in New- bury, Mass., where he then lived. He died in 1670. He and his wife, Ann Wheeler, had eleven children. The sixth child, Thomas, married first Rebecca Follansbee, and second Elizabeth Mowers, and had eleven children. Nathan, born in 1704, ninth child of Thomas, married Joanna Cheney, and reared four sons - Josiah, Moses, Parker, and Stephen.
Stephen Chase, born in 1750, who was the great-grandfather of Arthur M., came from
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Newburyport to Deerfield. He was one of those who in 1776 signed the Test Declara- tion, pledging themselves to oppose the hos- tile proceedings of the British fleets and armies against American freedom. He mar- ried Mollie Sanborn, and reared four daugh- ters and two sons. The sons were: Henry 1)., who settled in Jackson, Me. ; and William S., who was born in Deerfield in 1778, and lived on the homestead now occupied by his grandson, the subject of this biographical sketch. William S. Chase was a shoemaker, and divided his time between farming and the work of his trade. He attained the age of seventy years, his earthly life ending in 1848. William S. Chase also married a Sanborn, Miss Nancy Sanborn, of Exeter, N. H., who died in 1857, at the age of seventy-four. The children of this couple were: Stephen, the father, above named; Mary A., who was born in 1809, and died in 1856; Eliza D., born in 1811, who married Samuel Lang, and died in 1885; and Ruth B., born in 1815, who mar- ried J. S. Chase, of Jackson, Me.
Stephen Chase, son of William, was born on the homestead in Deerfield in 1807. Edu- cated in the public schools of his native town, he made good use of his opportunities for im- proving his mind, and began to teach at the age of seventeen. As a teacher he was very successful, and was employed in that way until forty-six years of age; and he was dur- ing the time superintendent of schools for a number of years. He was a stanch Free Soiler, being one of the first in town, and was Selectman of the town in 1854 and 1855 and Justice of the Peace for a number of years. He died in 1855. His wife, Sally, who was a daughter of Jonathan Philbrick, Jr., of Deerfield, died in 1885, at the age of seventy- six. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Chase: Elizabeth A., who died in 1871, wife of A. L. Sanborn ; Ruth A., who died in 1869, wife of A. M. Patten; Arthur M. ; and Isaac S., who died at the age of twelve years.
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