USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 44
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lows; Massasoit Tribe, No. 16, Improved Order of Red Men; Knights of Golden Eagle, Oak Castle, No. 4; the Mechanics' Associa- tion, of which he was Treasurer for some time; of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he was likewise Treasurer for a number of years.
HARLES F. GREELEY, who is now living retired from active business pursuits, is a well-known resident of East Kingston, where his birth occurred December 22, 1822. The first of the Greeley family to locate in this section of the county was the grandfather of Charles F. He was a carpenter and cabinet-maker, and worked at these trades until his demise in 1789. Josiah Greeley, the father of Charles F., spent his entire life in this town, making farming his chief occupation, although he made quite a business of loaning money. He married Miss Sarah Currier, likewise a native of East Kingston, and with her settled on a farm near the present home of their son Charles, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. They had eight children, as follows: Josiah B., now deceased; Sarah, now Mrs. Eastman, who lives in Malden, Mass .; Eliphalet C., of East Kingston ; Charles F., the subject of this sketch; Mary Frances, now the widow Stickney, who lives at Elk Point, So. Dak., very near Sioux City, la. ; Luella B., who is the wife of W. H. Nelson, of this town; John, who resides in Boston ; and Emily Elizabeth, now deceased.
Charles F. Greeley acquired his education in the district schools, and on the old home farm was early trained to agricultural occupa- tions. At the age of seventeen years he began working for his grandfather, a substan- tial farmer, who gave him twenty-five cents a day for his services. Subsequently, going to Salisbury, Mass., Mr. Greeley spent three years working for a farmer, who at parting made him a present of three hundred dollars for his faithfulness. After his marriage he returned to East Kingston, and here invested his savings in a farm on which he resided a year. Disposing of that, he purchased his present snug little farm, which he has since
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cultivated with most gratifying results. In 1851 he built the present dwelling-house, which, with the other substantial improve- ments he has effected, makes the place one of the pleasantest homes in the locality. He has twenty-nine acres of land, a part of which he devotes to the raising of fruit. The yield of his orchard alone brings him in a handsome income. In addition to his agricultural work Mr. Greeley has travelled throughout the county for the past thirty-five years, taking orders for marble work, chiefly tombstones. He has also been engaged in the insurance business at various times, having had agencies for some of the most prominent fire and life insurance companies of New England. He has been very successful as an agent. Some years ago, when engaged in selling the old-fashioned sewing-machines, he occasion- ally made two hundred dollars in a morning before breakfast. For the past six years he has lived retired from active work, and is now enjoying the fruits of his past years of toil.
Mr. Greeley was married March 28, 1847, to Miss Mary J. Smith, a native of Salisbury, Mass., where he was then working She was a daughter of Enoch and Betsey (Collins) Smith, both lifelong residents of that place. At her death, which occurred February 12, 1892, in her sixty-fourth year, she left two sons, both of whom are engaged in the marble cutting and granite business in Exeter, this county, having a large and lucrative trade. Charles E. Alvin, the elder son, born March 30, 1849, married Miss Susan G. Robinson, of Tilton, this State, and has one child, Florence May. Lyman B., born September 27, 1854, married Miss Nellie A. Spofford, of Kingston. The mother, who was an active and energetic woman, when her husband was away from home, supervised the farm, in addi- tion to caring for her household. Mr. Greeley's housekeeper for the past four years has been Miss Addie Carter, who was born December 22, 1843, in Rio Janeiro, Brazil, daughter of an old sea captain. She came to this country with her parents when quite young, and was here reared and educated. Mr. Greeley is a stanch Democrat. Besides serving as Selectman of the township for a number of terms, he was a member of the State
legislature in 1871. He is a Mason of Gid- eon Lodge, No. 84, of Kingston, to which he presented the corner-stone of its present hall.
OSES J. EATON, the proprietor of one of the finest farms in South Hampton, was born on that estate, April 26, 1834. His parents were Moses and Betsey (Jones) Eaton, the former a native of Seabrook, N. H., born Jan- uary 2, 1791, and the latter a native of South Hampton, born August 23, 1801. His grand- father, Aaron Eaton, was one of the early resi- dents of Seabrook, this county, and probably a native of that town. About the year 1800 Aaron came to South Hampton, settling near the centre, and there spent the rest of his life. He was a typical farmer of the olden time, hale, courageous, and industrious, knowing no bodily ailments, so that, when eighty-eight years old, he was able to rake two acres of salt hay without stopping for lunch. In politics he was a Whig, in religion a liberal. He died November 5, 1863, at the age of ninety- four. His wife, Elizabeth, passed away Feb- ruary 11, 1843. Thirteen children were born to this couple, six of whom reached maturity.
Moses Eaton, the father of Moses J., was the eldest of his parents' sons who attained maturity. One of the leading farmers of the town in his day, he owned the farm on which his son resides, a fine estate of one hundred and forty acres, taking possession in 1825. He, too, was a Whig, and served as Selectman of the town. On religious subjects he held liberal views. He died August 3, 1869, aged seventy-eight years. His wife passed away August 30, 1884. They were the parents of seven children; namely, Jeremiah, Jacob, Thomas, Mary, Sarah, Moses J., and Benja- min F. Jeremiah, who was born December 29, 1821, died September 10, 1895, aged seventy-three years. Jacob, who was born November 21, 1823, is a farmer of South Ilampton. Thomas, who was born July 8, 1826, is a farmer in Illiana, Ill. Mary, born July 13, 1828, taught school for forty years. She died August 2, 1890, at the age of sixty- two. Sarah, born October 6, 1830, is the wife of Charles E. Tuck, of Kensington,
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N. H. Benjamin F., born September 16, 1836, is a clergyman of the Universalist church, living in Worcester, Mass.
Moses J. Eaton was educated in the schools of his native town, taking his final course of study at Barnard Academy. He began to help about the farm when a boy. As he ad- vanced in age and stature, increasing responsi- bility was placed upon him. At length his father retired from the active management, leaving the farm entirely in his charge. He cared for his parents in their old age; and, when they died, he naturally took his father's place as owner of the old Eaton homestead. Mr. Eaton has been very industrious and very successful in his farming. His farm is high land; and his residence, a comfortable and substantial farm-house, commands an extensive view of the surrounding country. He is en- gaged in general farming, and makes a spe- cialty of raising fruit. His orchard, one of the best in the locality, produces a choice grade of apples and peaches.
Mr. Eaton was married April 13, 1865, to Mary J., daughter of Joseph and Mary J. (Woodman) Follansby. She was born
in South Hampton, August 6, 1844. Her father, Joseph Follansby, who was born February 16, 1822, in Amesbury, Mass., lived for many years in South Hampton, industriously occu- pied in agriculture. In politics he was a Re- publican, in religion a liberal. He died in April, 1888. His wife, who was born in South Hampton, October 9, 1826, is still living in her native town. Besides Mrs. Eaton four of her six children are living, namely : Joseph W., born February 16, 1846, the Postmaster of South Hampton ; Sarah A., born September 21, 1847, the wife of Benja- min Eaton, residing in Auburn, N. H. ; Emily F., born July 28, 1852, the wife of Lemuel O. Hatch, of Amesbury, Mass. ; and Florence May, born December 24, 1865. Fanny died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have four children - William S., Adelaide F., Mary B., and Joseph D. William S., born September 5, 1865, who is a carriage-builder, and resides with his parents, married Susan Manson, who died leaving one son - Raymond M., born March 11, 1890. Adelaide F., born March 10, 1867, and Mary B., born November 9,
1868, are engaged in teaching school. Joseph D., born June 11, 1877, is a farmer on the homestead. Mr. Eaton is active in politics as a Republican, has held in turn all the town offices, and served as Representative in 1877- 78. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Barnard School in South Hampton for a number of years. In religious matters Mr. and Mrs. Eaton hold liberal opin- ions. Genial and whole-hearted people, they make their pleasant home doubly pleasant by their generous hospitality, and their friends are legion.
HARLES W. SANBORN, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public of Ep- ping, was born here in 1844, son of Jonathan P. and Mary F. (Rund- Iett) Sanborn. The Sanborn family were landmarks in this section of New Hampshire, being representative people in the community, who had a high standard of living and think- ing: The parents of Charles W. were also natives of Epping, and here spent their lives. The father learned the carpenter's trade in early life, and followed it in addition to carrying on his farm for many years. While an unassuming man, he has much pub- lic spirit. He still lives on his farın, near the village of Epping, being seventy-nine years of age. His estimable wife passed away in 1895.
Charles W. Sanborn received his carly edu- cation in the district schools, and for several years attended the seminary in Tilton, N.H. He still resides upon the farm where he was born, while he successfully manages the only job printing-office in Epping. In politics Mr. Sanborn is a Republican. He has served the town as Selectman, Auditor, Prosecuting Liquor Agent, and also as Chairman of the Town Hall Building Committee. This struct- ure, which he was instrumental in having erected, is among the best in the county. He is at present discharging the duties of Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. His connec- tion with secret orders is limited to member- ship in the Masonic Society.
In 1871 he was married to Julia B. Colby. Of their children there are four survivors ;
EPHRAIM G. FLANDERS.
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namely, Mary Lizzie, William C., Clarence C., and Walter P. Sanborn. The family are members of the Methodist church. Mr. San- born is recognized as a public-spirited citizen and a thorough-going business man.
PHRAIM G. FLANDERS, a prominent business man of the village of Brent- wood, was born here, August 14, 1834, son of Benjamin and Mary (Gordon) Flanders. He comes of a well-known family of Essex County, Massachusetts. His pater- nal grandfather, John Flanders, was born and bred in territory that was formerly a part of Salisbury, Mass., but is now included within the limits of Amesbury. He was a tanner by trade, and followed that calling until his death, which occurred at an early age. He had a natural talent for music, and for many years led the choir in the old church at Salisbury.
Benjamin Flanders, born in 1803, was also a native of Salisbury, where he grew to man's estate. In 1824 he came to Rockingham County, locating first in the town of Epping. A few years later he settled in Brentwood, about a mile from the village, where he lived until his demise, September 11, 1890, at the age of eighty-seven. He married Mary Gor- don, a native of this town, where she spent her long and useful life, and died in July, 1882. They had five children, as follows : Adeline M., who died in February, 1882, in the hospital at Lowell, Mass. ; Ephraim G., the subject of this sketch; Horace F., now of Amesbury, Mass. ; William M., who lives with his brother Ephraim G. ; and John W., now travelling in the North-west for J. C. Ayer & Co., of Lowell, Mass. The latter is a lawyer by profession, having, after four years of study, been admitted to the bar; but on account of ill-health he has been forced to relinquish practice, and seek outdoor occu- pation.
Ephraim G. Flanders remained with his parents until eighteen years of age. Then, with the energy and enterprise characteristic of New England youth, he bought in Brent- wood a grist-mill, in which shingles, spokes, and hubs were also manufactured, and for eigh-
teen years carried on a lucrative business. He then sold out, and has since been engaged in the lumber business. He is also interested in insurance, being agent for a number of companies, including one located in New Hampshire. Mr. Flanders has been Justice of the Peace for some time, and does a good deal of probate business, his sound judgment and honest decisions being well recognized.
Mr. Flanders was married October 16, 1865, to Miss Hannah E. Tuck, who was born in Brentwood, July 2, 1845, daughter of the late Deacon Coffin and Mary R. (Stevens) Tuck, both lifelong residents of this place. They have two sons -- Ephraim Hale and Charles. The elder son, Ephraim Hale, married Miss Annie Prescott, and is now living in Ames- bury, where he has quite a reputation as an artist, many of his paintings having been con- sidered worthy of prizes at local exhibitions. At present he conducts a store at Amesbury. Charles, who is engaged in the manufacture of shingles and other wood-work, and operates a grist-mill in Brentwood, married Miss Grace E. Tucker, of Deerfield, this State. He has two sons, namely : Charles Ephraim, born March 8, 1894; and Harry Tucker, born April 22, 1896. Mr. Flanders, Sr., is a clever business man, and one of the largest property owners in this vicinity. Included in his real estate is a fine farm of three hundred acres. He is a Republican, and takes a very prominent part in politics. In 1883-84 he represented his district in the State legisla- ture. He has served two terms as Selectman, and is now Moderator. Mr. Flanders is in- fluential in the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Gideon Lodge, No. 84, of King- ston, N. H. ; of St. Alban Chapter, No. 15, of Exeter, N. H. ; of Olivet Council, No. 11, of Exeter; and of De Witt Clinton Com- mandery of Portsmouth, N. H.
RANCIS T. FRENCHI, an esteemed resident of East Kingston, now retired from active business, is a native of the town, born September 2, 1835. He is de- scended from one of the carly settlers of Rock- ingham County, his paternal grandfather, Richard French, having been a lifelong farmer
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in East Kingston. Richard French married Judith Ililton, and of their children Enoch S. was the father of Francis T. Enoch S. French, born here September 3, 1796, was bred to agricultural pursuits, which he subse- quently followed throughout the rest of his life. Hle was an influential man in the com- munity, was quite prominent in public life, and represented his native town in the State legislature at two or three different sessions. His death occurred February 12, 1879. H was twice married. His first wife, Permelia T. (Tilton) French, who was born in Deer- field, this county, died at a comparatively early age in July, 1854, leaving six children. These were: Isabella, the widow of the late Dennis Veasey, living in Haverhill, Mass. ; Richard G., who died in 1889; Permelia J., who died in 1891, was the wife of the late Robert Burroughs; Francis T., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth N., the widow of George Minor, and a resident of Chicago, Ill. ; and Augusta, who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Minor. The father subse- quently married Mrs. Amos Morrill, of East Kingston, who is now living with her step-son.
Francis T. French, having obtained his ed- ucation in the common schools of his native town, began life for himself at the age of eighteen years. In company with Mr. George W. Sanborn, who is now one of his near neigh- bors, he started a butchering business, which in time grew to a large wholesale and retail meat trade, and extensive dealings in cattle throughout the county. The partnership lasted for about twenty-five years, after which Mr. French bought out Mr. Sanborn's inter- est, and conducted the business alone for ten years, meeting with signal success. Having also invested in real estate, he is now the owner of two eighty-acre farms in this town- ship and a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Kensington. On giving up his meat market, Mr. French turned his attention to farming, at which he has since been engaged. He has taken a leading part in public affairs. He was Town Clerk and Selectman for several years ; represented the town in the State legis- lature in 1865, 1879, and 1893; and was State Senator in 1883.
Mr. French has been twice married. On
December 27, 1865, he married Miss Alsina Stevens, who was born in Newton, this county, daughter of William and Sarah Stevens. She died July 13, 1876, leaving one child - Francis Enoch, now a farmer and butcher, living in East Kingston, and married to Miss Alice Dow, of East Kingston. Mr. French was again married in 1877 to Miss Emily S. Chase, who was born in Seabrook, N. H. She is a daughter of the late Enoch and Betsy Chase. Her father was engaged in farming and boat-building during his life. Mr. and Mrs. French have had three children, of whom Annie P. and Alice T. survive. Mabel C. died July 29, 1888, at the age of nine months.
ON. JOHN TAYLOR, formerly a manufacturer of woollens, but now living in retirement at Salem Depot, was born in Lancashire, England, August 26, 1816, son of John and Mary (Hutchins) Taylor. His parents, who were also English born, came to this country about the year 1827, and with their family of young children took up their residence at South Andover, Mass. They did not remain long in South Andover, but moved about from place to place, finally settling in Lynnfield, Mass., where the father, with two other gentle- men, established a factory for the manufacture of woollen flannels. John Talyor, Sr., whose expectations were not realized, withdrew from the company at the end of three years, and in 1833 with his family removed to Salem, N. H. There he formed a partnership with another gentleman, and began to manufacture flannels in a small frame building in North Salem. This venture was a prosperous one; and the firm eventually erected a large brick mill, and gave employment to about fifty hands. In course of time John became sole proprietor, and the business so prospered that he was finally able to retire. He died about a year and a half after his retirement. Of his chil- dren the following are living: James, residing in Franklin, N. H. ; John, the subject of this sketch; Ellen, the wife of Matthew H. Taylor ; and June, the wife of Nathaniel Paul, in Salem.
JOHN TAYLOR.
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The Ilon. John Taylor obtained his educa- tion chiefly in the school of practical experi- ence, having had but few opportunities to study in any other school. He went to work in a mill when about eleven years of age, and "grew up in the business." In 1847 he was manufacturing woollen goods in Salem on his own account in a building that occupied the site where now stands the brick mill of John W. Wheeler. He had been employed in that way some ten years, when, wishing for a change from mill life, he sold his interest, and purchased a farm in the suburbs of Haver- hill, Mass., on which he lived for the ensuing ten years. Then he returned to the manufact- uring business again, forming with his brother James the firm of Taylor & Co., and establishing a factory at Franklin Falls, N. H. Mr. Taylor is now retired from business. After living for a number of years in Franklin Falls, he came in 1888 to Salem Depot, which has since been his place of residence.
Mr. Taylor married Dorcas Wheeler, a native of Salem, daughter of Amos Wheeler, formerly of that town. Her death, which occurred in September, 1892, was a severe blow to her husband, whose loving helpmate she had been for over fifty years. Mrs. Taylor was a most estimable lady, and many friends mourned her demise. She was the mother of four children, two of whom are living, namely : Leonard M., residing at Salem Depot; and John A., a graduate of Brown University, now the manager of the messenger department of the Bank of the Republic, Boston, Mass. In politics Mr. Taylor is a Republican. He rep- resented the town of Franklin, N. H., in the State legislature for two years, and has served on the Salem Board of Selectmen. A public- spirited citizen, he is always ready to aid any project for the betterment of the town or the amelioration of general society. His portrait is presented with this sketch of his life.
ROFESSOR EDMUND R. AN- GELL, the well-known expert in analytical chemistry, who holds the responsible position of Chemist of the New Hampshire State Board of Health, was born in Scituate, R. I., March 4, 1848.
The Angell family in America claims de- scent from English ancestors. Thomas An- gell was one of the five men who with Roger Williams began the settlement of Providence, R.I., in the spring or early summer of 1636. He had two sons - James and John ; and from one of these Professor Angell is lineally de- scended. James Angell married Abigail Dexter.
Richard Angell, the Professor's grand- father, was a patriotic American, serving as a soldier in the War of 1812. His son, Ed- mund R. Angell, the first of this name, was born in Scituate, R.I., and was a lifelong farmer there. He married Susan Dexter, of the same town, and became the father of the son and namesake, Professor Angell, of Derry, N.H.
The younger Edmund spent his early years on his father's farm in Scituate, and received his elementary education in the public schools. He was fitted for college at Lapham Institute in Scituate; and in 1869 he entered Bates College in Lewiston, Me., where he was grad- uated in 1873 with the degree of A. B. In the following year, 1874, he became a student of Cobb Divinity School, which is a branch of Bates College. During the two years of his course at the Divinity School he was engaged in laborious mental work; for, besides being a faithful student, he was at the same time a tutor of mathematics in Bates College, which made his life one of continued intellectual effort. As a teacher, he had already acquired some experience, having taught school through the vacations during his course at Bates, and in this way largely defrayed his expenses at college. For one term each he was principal of Yarmouth and Hartland Academies in Maine, fulfilling his double duty with equal credit in both lines of work, and becoming, by the very fact of his honorable efforts, each day more and more earnest and manly, better fitted to receive the success his labors merited.
He was next employed for a period of two terms as principal of the high school in Cas- tine, Me., coming from that town to Derry, N.H., March 18, 1876. His experience and reputation as a teacher made him peculiarly fitted to hold the position of principal of Pink- erton Academy; and the people of Derry rec-
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ognized their good fortune in securing him in that capacity, and retaining him in the same for nine years.
Soon after the organization of the New Hampshire State Board of Health, Professor Angell became connected with it as Analyti- cal Chemist, a position which he is holding at the present time. In 1885 he resigned his charge as principal of Pinkerton Academy, in order to give his entire time to scientific re- search, to which his tastes were naturally in- clined. In his well-equipped laboratory, which contains all of the most modern appli- ances for analytical chemical work, he spends most of his time. He has been especially in- terested in the investigation of bacteriological science, and is at present devoting himself especially to that line of research, having sup- plied himself with the most advanced means of investigation. In mineralogy, as well as in chemistry he has also a wide reputation, being considered an authority in the analysis of granites. His acknowledged proficiency as an expert in detecting and analyzing blood stains has brought him into prominence in . connection with several murder cases, in which his testimony has been of vital importance.
But not only has Professor Angell been en- gaged in purely scientific research, he has also served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of a public servant, being a Representative in the New Hampshire State legislature from the town of Derry for the term of 1890 and 1891. He has also been one of the town's Select- men. In political affiliation he is a Republi-
can. Socially, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is now Past Grand of Echo Lodge, No. 61, at Derry Depot. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, Rockingham Lodge, No. 29, and officiates as keeper of the records and seals in that lodge. Professor Angell is a gentleman of wide cult- ure and courteous manner, and has the faculty of setting those about him at case at once, which makes him accessible in spite of all his learning, and renders him very generally pop- ular among all classes.
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