USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
Mr. Penhallow was three times married. His last marriage was contracted August 3, 1883, with Ellen M. Foster, of Dover, N. H. Her father, a native of Reading, Mass., who kept a large and flourishing shoe store in Dover for many years, died in 1853, at the age of fifty-two. His wife, who was a daughter of Ebenezer Munsey, of Barnstead, N. H., died in 1858, also aged fifty-two, having given birth to nine children. Mrs. Penhallow was edu- cated in Dover, and there spent her youth. She has been a resident of Portsmouth for a quarter of a century. Mr. Penhallow died January 14, 1890, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, regretted by all who knew him. A portrait of him accompanies this sketch of his life.
HARLES V. JENNESS, a prosperous farmer of South New Market, was born November 27, 1845, in Rochester, Strafford County, son of Esrom and Ann (Munsey) Jenness. His father, also a native of Rochester, in the earlier part of his life was there engaged in farming and carpen- ter's work. He subsequently removed to Durham, Strafford County; and in 1860 he came to South New Market, settling in the north-western part of the town. Here for several years he worked at his trade of carpen- ter, besides conducting a farm, obtaining a reputation for skill and industry. He was united in marriage with Miss Ann Munsey, a native of Barnstead, N. H. Of the union there were born five children; namely, Charles V., Timothy M., Abby E., Emma F., and John P. Charles V. is the only survivor now. In national politics the father was identified with the Republican party, while regarding relig- ious questions both he and his wife held lib- eral opinions. He passed his declining years in retirement at Newfields, N. IL., where he finally departed this life, August 23, 1868, aged fifty-one years, eight months, and thir- teen days. His wife died January 21, 1886, aged sixty-nine years, five months, and twenty- eight days.
Charles V. Jenness attained manhood at his father's home in Newfields, acquiring his education in the public schools. At the age
440
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
of eighteen he learned the trade of carpenter, and subsequently followed it for three years. Ile then applied himself to become a pattern- maker. Succeeding in that, he worked at the business until 1890, employed in the factory of the Squamscot Machine Company at New- fields, and in the capacity of foreman with the Portsmouth Machine Company. In 1890 he moved to his present estate, which comprises about one hundred and forty acres. Here he has since been engaged in general agriculture, giving considerable attention to lumbering and to the wood business. He also transacts real estate business at Newfields village.
On July 14, 1867, Mr. Jenness was joined in matrimony with Miss Frances E. Neal, a daughter of Samuel and Relief Neal, and has since become the father of one son, Eugene E., born June 11, 1870. Eugene E. Jenness resides at home, and co-operates with his father in the work of the farm. On July 9, 1890, he wedded Miss Elmyra N. Randlett, of Stratham, N. H., and has a daughter, Eva Irene, born May 11, 1891. In politics he is a Republican, while on religious questions he is guided by liberal principles. Mr. Jenness, Sr., who is well known and esteemed here, has served the town on the Board of Selectmen. His face is a familiar one in the general gath- erings of the community, as he is identified with several fraternities. He is a member of Lodge No. 56, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of Newfields, and the Rebecca Degree of New Market; of Chapter No. 2, at Exeter, Knights of Pythias. He likewise belongs to Pocahontas Tribe of Red Men at Exeter, and affiliates with the Patrons of Husbandry in Encampment No. 179 at South New Market. lIe also belongs to the Royal Arcanum at Exe- ter. In politics he is a Republican. In re- ligion he and his wife are liberal.
EWELL A. WATSON, a member of the firm of Watson Brothers, proprietors of a general store at Nottingham, was born in that town, April 14, 1847, son of Sewell and Lydia (Daniels) Watson. The family is an old and respected one. William Watson, grandfather of Sewell A., born in Northwood, this county,
on Washington's birthday, 1766, was a hard-working and enterprising farmer. His farm, containing about one hundred and fifty acres, was situated in Northwood. He mar- ried Miss Elsie Cilley, who was born Septem- ber 27, 1768, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. (Cut- ting) Cilley, of Nottingham, and became by her the father of seven children, namely : Elizabeth, born June 1, 1789; Sewell, born July 19, 1791 ; Alice E., born May 15, 1793 ; William, Jr., born December 1, 1796; Han- nah, born January 30, 1800; Sarah, born March 10, 1802, who passed away August 8, 1867; and Martha, born October 30, 1809, who died July 29, 1876. Both parents lived to an advanced age. They were members of the Baptist church. In politics the father supported the Whig party.
Sewell Watson enlisted at the age of twenty-one as a drummer-boy for service in the Second War with England. Having faith- fully discharged his duties for about one year, he returned to the State, and settled in New Market. Here he assisted in erecting the fac- tories of the New Market Manufacturing Com- pany, where he was later engaged as a watch- man for a period of sixteen years. In 1842 he came to Nottingham, purchased the farm of about sixty acres on which his son, William F., now makes his home, and there followed general husbandry uninterruptedly to the day of his decease. He was twice married, on the first occasion to Miss Lydia Daniels, who was born in 1812, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Daniels, of Lee, N. H. Of this mar- riage there came five children, three of whom are still living. These are: William F., born March 6, 1843; Izette, born June 6, 1845, who died October 29, 1846; Sewell A., the subject of this sketch; George E., born No- vember 6, 1852, who died October 26, 1859; and Lydia A., born June 6, 1849, who is the widow of Sewell W. Dow, late of Northwood, N. H., and now resides at Hampton, N. H., having had no children. The mother died; and the father contracted his second marriage with a lady who was a native of Madbury, N. H., born June 10, 1812. He passed away Febru- ary 9, 1867 ; and she now lives with her chil- dren.
Sewell A. Watson acquired his education
441
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
in the common schools of Nottingham. In 1878 he formed a partnership with his brother, William F., under the firm name of Watson Brothers; and in that relationship he has pros- perously conducted to the present time a gen- cral country store at Nottingham. On De- cember 15, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Ramsbottam, daughter of George Ramsbottam, of Nottingham, and has now a son, William A., who was born August 5, 1889. In politics Mr. Watson is a Repub -. lican. He has participated very prominently in the affairs of the town, where he is held in general respect. He has been Town Clerk for the past sixteen years. He is also a member of the School Committee, and for a dozen years he has acted as the Assistant Postmaster at Nottingham. Mr. Watson is a member of Sullivan Lodge, No. 19, A. F. & A. M., of Epping, N. H., and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Northwood.
APTAIN HENRY P. NEAL, of Newhelds, one of the few living officers of the old State militia, was born in New Market (now Newfields), December 23, 1815, son of Asa and Rebecca (Gale) Neal. The Neal family, which is of English origin, was one of the first to settle in Portsmouth, N.H., and has been prominent for many years in the affairs of the State of New Hampshire. Captain Neal's great-grandfather, Samuel Neal, was one of the pioneers of New Market, where he cleared a farm, on which he spent the latter part of his life. Samuel Neal, Jr., the grand- father, who was born in New Market in 1749, spent his life there, industriously engaged in farming. In politics he was a Democrat, while on religious questions he held liberal opinions. He died at the age of seventy-five. His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Conner, was a native of Exeter, this county. She died in 1827, aged about seventy-five years.
Asa Neal was born in New Market in 1785. One of a large family, he learned in childhood the value of work and perseverance; and, when the time came for him to provide for himself, he shirked no task that came before him. Ile
succeeded his father as owner of the old Neal homestead, and subsequently was one of the leading farmers of the community. He, too, favored the Democratic party. He died at the age of seventy-eight. 'His wife was a native of Gilmanton, N.H., born in the same year as her husband. She passed away at the age of seventy-five. Both were members of the Free Will Baptist church. They reared five children - Samuel, Henry P., Valina G., Asa D., and Francis A. Another, Daniel Y., died in infancy. Henry P., the subject of this sketch, is the only one living to-day.
Captain Henry P. Neal attended the schools of his native town and New Market Academy. He began to provide for himself when twenty years of age, finding employment as a lum- berman. Since then, up to 1895, when he retired from business, he was actively engaged in lumbering. He took possession of his present home in 1841. This is a fine estate of one hundred and fifty acres. He also owns a good farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Exeter. this county. Mr. Neal, having inher- ited the family characteristic of persevering industry, was never afraid of hard work. He has attained affluence through his own efforts alone, accomplishing much more than the or- dinary man in the time given him.
May 31, 1841, Captain Neal was married to Mary W. Jenness, a native of New Market, born November 18, 1816. Mrs. Neal died September 18, 1867. She was the mother of four children - Austin H., Mary R., Oscar Henry, and Joseph Merrill. Austin H. lived but five years. Mary R., who was born April 22, 1844, lives in East Kingston. She is the widow of Arthur T. Robinson, and the mother of one son, Marcellus Truc, who was born August 22, 1871. Marcellus Robinson married Helene Bell, of Kentland, Ind., March 11, 1895, and has a child, Madeline Uretta, born January 10, 1896, so Captain Neal is a great-grandfather. Oscar Henry Neal, who was born June 1, 1848, is a farmer of Newfields; and Joseph Merrill, who was born January 29, 1851, is a dentist of Somer- ville, Mass., living in the neighboring town of North Cambridge.
On June 1, 1869, Captain Neal was again married, this time to Charlotte M. Perkins,
+12
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
who was born in Nashua, N. Il., June 6, 1840, daughter of the Rev. Jared and Charlotte (Hall) Perkins. The Rev. Jared Perkins, born in Unity, N.H., April 21, 1793, was a clergy- man of the Methodist Episcopal church, a stanch Republican and Abolitionist, and one of the leading men of New Hampshire. In 1851 and 1852 he represented the Winchester Congressional District in the Thirty-second Congress. Previous to that he occupied a seat in the House of Representatives at Concord, and was a member of the Governor's Council. lle was nominated for Governor of New Hamp- shire, but died before election, passing away October 15, 1854. His wife, born in Me- thuen, Mass., November 29, 1804, died in South New Market, N. H., December 3, 1875. Of their thirteen children, two are living, namely: Mrs. Clara E. Farwell, of Clare- mont, this State; and Mrs. Martha A. Neal, the wife of Dr. Joseph Merrill Neal, of Cam- bridge, Mass. By his second union Captain Neal has three children. These are: Clara Lilian, born January 8, 1871; Mabelle Per- kins, born April 25, 1875; and Jared Augus- tus Perkins Neal, born November 30, 1877.
Captain Neal votes the Republican ticket. He was Selectman for two years, besides fill- ing other offices of trust in the town. In the old State militia he held rank succes- sively as Ensign, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain ; and, as stated above, he is one of the few officers of that. body living to-day. He is a Steward and a Trustee of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of which he and his wife have been members for several years.
AJOR DAVID URCH, Secretary and Treasurer of the New Castle Bridge Company of Portsmouth, was born in Newport, Wales, April 13, 1846. He is a son of Ephraim and Maria (Sherman) Urch, respectively natives of Glastonbury, England, and Portsmouth, N. 11. Six generations of the family on the paternal side lived in Somersetshire, England. Ephraim Urch was a willow worker, making baskets and willow furniture. After his mar- riage he removed to Newport, Wales, where he lived till 1849. In the spring of that year
he sailed for America, taking passage on the vessel that brought the iron for the Concord Railroad. Locating in Portsmouth, he en- gaged in the work of his trade. Also, for a number of years he was toll collector for the New Castle bridges. In 1863 he went to Chicago, and, opening a store for the sale of willow goods, resided during the rest of his life in the vicinity of the windy city, gaining a comfortable livelihood. His wife, who is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Hammond Spinney, in Eliot, Me., is a member of one of the oldest families of Somersetshire, and is a typical English lady. She reared ten chil- dren - Mary Ann, Rosanna, Lizzie, Ephraim, Ellen, David, Abram, Henry E., Jonn C., and George W.
David Urch was about two and a half years old when he came to this country, accompany- ing his mother. The father had left Wales the preceding spring to make a home for his family in the new country. The child had a rough passage in the sailing vessel " Abalina," and it was thirty days before the passengers were safely landed in Boston. David was reared and received his early education in Portsmouth, and finished his course of study at a college in Chicago. He became an expert willow and rattan worker, and assisted in the factory, and in his father's store as clerk. He had been anxious to go to the war in 1861, in Captain Sides's company, with the Second New Hampshire Regiment; but his father had prevented him. The family was living in Effingham, Ill., in 1864. One day here, while returning home to dinner, Mr. Urch fell a little behind when near a railroad track that crossed the street, and a freight train separated him from the rest of the party. Jumping on one of the cars, he was taken to Mattoon, Ill., and enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. This was in March, 1864; and he was one of the hundred days' men. The regiment was sent directly to St. Louis, thence to Jefferson City. Here it was as- signed garrison duty for some time, and was engaged in suppressing the bands of guerillas that infested the country. Mr. Urch was hon- orably discharged in November, 1864. Soon after he returned to Portsmouth, where he was
1
443
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
employed for a few months on the government works at Fort Constitution. He then went to Manchester, N.H., and opened a store for the sale of willow and rattan furniture, and con- ducted it for five years. The two years fol- lowing he was in the same business in New Lenox, and then for a short time he was a res- ident of Portland, Me. His next venture was the opening of a similar store in Portsmouth, which he managed until 1876. In that year he became connected with the New Castle Bridge Company, and has since collected the tolls for them.
Mr. Urch was married to Miss Ida A. Rogers, of Eliot, Me., daughter of Charles WV. and Mary A. Rogers. He cast his first Presidential vote for General U. S. Grant, and afterward became affiliated with the Dem- ocratic party. However, he has always kept in mind the idea that the highest good of the people should ever be the governing motive of all suffrage. In Portsmouth he served as Al- derman for three terms, was Chairman of the City Democratic Committee ten years, and Chairman of the Democratic Committee of the ward in which he resides thirteen years. He was elected Representative to the State legis- lature in 1882, and during his term of service was a member of the Committees on Fisheries and Game and Secretary of the Committee on Banking. In 1884 he was again sent to the legislature, and once more served as Secretary of the Committee on Banking. He took an active part in the proceedings of the house, and generally made his influence felt. He takes a warm interest in educational matters, and served on the Portsmouth Board of Educa- tion eight years. He is a comrade of Storer Post, No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic; has passed all the chairs in New Hampshire Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Strawberry Bank Encampment, No. 5; is a member of Canton Centre, No. 12; and he is a member and has served as President of the New Hampshire Mechanics' Association. In the Patriarchs Militant he has served as Inspector-general, with the rank of Major on the staff of General Farrington, since the organization of the New Hampshire branch of the order. For twelve years he has been an officer in the New Hampshire Na-
tional Guard; and, as a member of the Head Guards of Manchester, he was successively Lieutenant and Captain of Company C. Hc was afterward made Lieutenant of the Heavy Artillery of Portsmouth, and served seven or eight years on the staff of Brigadier-general Clough.
ERRILL JOHNSON, an extensive farmer of Candia, Rockingham County, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Alex- andria, Grafton, N.H., August 17, 1827, son of Moses and Hannah (Huntington) Johnson. The branch of the family of which Mr. John- son is a representative was founded in Amer- ica by Moses Johnson, first, who emigrated from England, and settled in Newbury, or Newburyport, Mass., at an early date in Co- lonial history. His son, Moses, second, Mr. Merrill Johnson's great-grandfather, was born in Newburyport, and settled in Hudson, N.H., now Tyngsboro, where he reared a large family. He was prominent in public affairs, serving for many years as a Selectman and Town Clerk; and, although he twice en- listed for service in the Continental army dur- ing the Revolutionary War, his fellow-towns- men refused to let him go, as he could not be spared from his official duties.
Moses Johnson, third, Mr. Johnson's grand- father, was born in Hudson in 1769. He acquired a good education, and was a noted schoolmaster of his day, fifty years of his life being spent as an educator; and he was elected by the Whig party to various responsi- ble positions in the town government. He died in 1858, aged eighty-nine years. He married Polly Elliott, of Dracut, Mass., and they became the parents of fourteen children, the only survivors of whom are: Eliza, widow of Kimball Whitney, of Plymouth, N. II., who has reached the advanced age of ninety years; and Elliott, a resident of Chelmsford, Mass.
Moses Johnson, fourth, father of Merrill Johnson, was born in Orange, N.H., in 1796. He settled in Bristol, N. HI., where he engaged in tilling the soil, which he followed with unusual energy during his active period. He
414
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
died in 1881, aged eighty-five years. In his carlier years he supported the Whig party, but never aspired to prominence in public affairs, preferring to devote his exclusive at- tention to his farm and family. He attended the Free Baptist church. He married Hannah Huntington, a native of Bristol, N.H., who was of English descent, being a grand-daugh- ter of John Huntington, who emigrated to America, and settled in what is now Danville, N. H. She became the mother of eight chil- dren, but two of whom are living, namely : George H., a resident of Deerfield; and Mer- rill, the subject of this sketch. The others were: Jonathan H., Daniel M., Hannah HI., Moses, Mary J., and Julia Ann.
Merrill Johnson acquired his cducation in the common schools of Manchester and at the Hebron Academy. For some time after leav- ing school he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits, later becoming connected with a news- paper, for which he labored two years; and in. 1849 he settled in Deerfield, N.H., where he was employed at a shoe factory. On August 28, 1862, he enlisted as a private for three years in Company B, Eleventh Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, under Captain Sewall D. Tilton and Colonel Walter Harri- man, and probably saw as much active service as was experienced by any living veteran of the Civil War, participating in the battles of White Sulphur Springs, Fredericksburg, Jack- son, the siege of Vicksburg, the fierce struggle of the Wilderness, the battles of Spottsylva- nia Court-house, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run, Pegram Farm, and the assault and capt- ure of Petersburg. In the engagement at Spottsylvania Court-house he received a seri- ous wound in the thigh, which confined him to the hospital at St. Mary's Heights and the Lincoln Hospital in Washington, from which he was removed to Brattleboro, Vt. Rejoin- ing his regiment September 9, 1864, he served until the close of the war. He was succes- sively promoted to the rank of Sergeant, First Lieutenant, and Brevet Captain, and was mus- tered out as such June 4, 1865. Returning to Deerfield, he continued to reside there until 1880, when he moved to Candia, and engaged in general farming. His property, which is known as the old Richardson place, consists of
two hundred and fifty acres, forty acres of which are under cultivation, and the balance is divided in woodland and pasture. He cuts about forty tons of hay annually, besides rais- ing other products of a fine quality, and keeps eleven cows.
On April 2, 1855, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Sarah E. Clark, daughter of Captain Gilman Clark, of Candia. Mrs. Johnson died December 29, 1891, leaving three children, namely: Alice J., who is the wife of Benjamin E. Sanborn, of Deerfield, and has one son, Benjamin E., Jr. ; Moses G., who married Carrie E. Marden, of Allens- town, and has one son, Merrill W .; and Hattie I., wife of H. A. Hubbard, of this town. On August 14, 1895, Mr. John mar- ried Mrs. Lydia J. Hunt, widow of the late Lewis G. Hunt, of Lynn, Mass., and daughter of John and Elizabeth J. (Swain) French, of Candia.
In politics Mr. Johnson acts with the Repub- lican party, and his public services have been of a nature to receive the hearty appreciation of the citizens of Deerfield and Candia. He served as a member of the Board of Selectmen in the last-named town for one term, was twice elected to the same office in this town, and has served upon the School Board. Fra- ternally, Mr. Johnson is connected with Rock- ingham Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Eastern Star Lodge, Adah Chapter, No. 9, of Candia; and the Patrons of Husbandry. He is highly re- spected by his fellow-townsmen as an able and progressive farmer, and an eminently worthy citizen, who is always ready with his aid and influence in securing and perfecting all public improvements; and he is regarded as one of the substantial men of the town. He is a member of the Congregational church.
R EV. JACOB CHAPMAN, an old and honored resident of Exeter, was born in Tamworth, then in Strafford, now in Carroll County, N. H., March II, 1810, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Folsom) Chapman. He is of the seventh generation of the family, and traces his descent to Edward Chapman, a farmer and shoemaker, who came from Yorkshire, England, and settled in Mas-
445
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
sachusetts about the year 1639. Edward's grandson, Samuel Chapman, was born in Ips- wich, Mass., in 1655 ; and Samuel's son, Sam- uel, was born in Hampton, this county, in 1679. Paul Chapman, son of the latter Sam- uel, born in 1704, was the great-grandfather of the Rev. Mr. Chapman. Paul's birthplace was a farm, situated about a half-mile south of the Greenland (N. H. ) parade ground. A cooper by trade, he was also a capable farmer. He purchased the homestead farm, and there were born all his children. The grandfather, Job Chapman, was born on the Greenland farm in 1747. He passed the greater part of his long life, which embraced ninety years, engaged in agriculture, and died in 1837. He
was married in 1771 to Penelope Philbrook, of Greenland, who was born in Hampton in 1751, and died in Greenland in 1838. Both are buried in the churchyard at Tamworth. They reared six sons and one daughter, all of whom attained maturity, and, except one, mar- ried and established comfortable farm homes. One son, who was an innkeeper, held a public office in the town.
Samuel Chapman was born in Greenland, May 11, 1781, his life, which was mainly spent in agricultural pursuits, terminating October 30, 1857. His wife, Elizabeth, whom he married July 10, 1808, a daughter of Levi and Joanna (Weeks) Folsom, was also of English extraction. Her immigrant ancestor was John Folsom, whose son John had a son Jeremiah, who was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Chapman. Jeremiah resided in New Market, this county, accumulated considerable wealth in business, and was a prominent man in the community. He was a follower of Whitefield. His son, Colonel Jeremiah Fol- som, Mrs. Chapman's grandfather, was a wealthy ship-builder and merchant of New Market. Mrs. Samuel Chapman died in August, 1821. Her children were five in number, three sons and two daughters. Of these the Rev. Mr. Chapman and his sister Elizabeth, who is the wife of James J. Ches- ley, of Tamworth, are the only survivors. The other sons - John, a lawyer, and Samuel, a doctor - went to Missouri between 1840 and I845. Samuel was murdered there. The Rev. Mr. Chapman's father married for his
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.