USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 60
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13, Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Derry Depot; and assistant surgeon of the First Regiment, N. HI. N. G., with the rank of Captain in that body. He is one of the best-known men in the county.
ARCUS MORTON COLLIS, of Portsmouth, Deputy Sheriff of
Rockingham County, was born in Ware, Hampshire County, Mass., October 19, 1843, son of Luther and Delina (Converse) Collis. Three brothers, Scotchmen, bearing the surname, are said to have come to America in Colonial times. Jonathan Collis, great-grandfather of Mr. Collis of Portsmouth, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army. He married a Miss Fuller, and settled in the town of Western, now Warren, Mass., in the early days, when farming was the universal industry. He met his death while working in the woods, a fall- ing limb fatally injuring him. His son, Jonathan Collis, Jr., was born and reared in Warren. When a young man, he went to New York State, and, selecting a site, made a clearing for a homestead in Herki- mer. Returning to his native town, he mar- ried, and then took his bride and household goods by team all the way from Warren to Herkimer. They lived but a few years in New York State, eventually returning to Mas- sachusetts, and settling in Brimfield, where Mr. Collis bought a farm, and spent the rest of his life. His wife, a native of Brimfield, Mass., was a Miss Phoebe Parker, daughter of Reuben Parker, who was also a Revolu- tionary soldier.
Luther Collis, the father of Marcus M., was born in Herkimer, N.Y., in 1811. He re- ceived a good education, and when a young man was engaged in teaching school. He was for some time a resident of Ware, Mass .; but the latter part of his life was spent on a farm which he owned in Palmer, Hampden County, where he died in March, 1896, being eighty-five years of age. In politics he was a supporter of Republican principles from the time of his majority, casting his first vote in the ranks of the old Whig party, and with the Republican party from its first organization.
He married a daughter of Stephen Converse, a prominent citizen of Tolland, Conn .; and they reared eight children - Luther Whipple, James, Henry, Marcus Morton, the subject of this sketch, Mary, Sarah, Charles, and Martha.
Marcus Morton Collis was born in Ware, Mass., October 19, 1843. He received his early education in the public schools of Palmer. His school-days were interrupted by the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion; for he left his books to shoulder musket and knapsack, enlisting in July, 1861, in Com- pany H, Twenty-first Regiment of Massachu- setts Volunteer Infantry. The Twenty-first was one of the fighting regiments of the war, participating in many of the severest engage- ments, its first being Roanoke Island, N.C., February 8, 1862, where, by capturing a rebel battery by storm, it established a reputation for gallantry which was maintained to the end of that long conflict. At Newbern, N. C., March 14, 1862, it was the first body of Union troops to pierce the rebel line. It fought at Camden, N.C., April 19, 1862; Bull Run, second, Va., August 29 and 30, 1862, being in Reno's division of the Ninth Corps, the last troops to leave that ill-fated field; Chan- tilly, Va., September 1, 1862, when its loss amounted to thirty-five per cent. of the num- ber engaged; South Mountain, Md., Septem- ber 14, 1862; at Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862, where the brigade of which it was a part charged and carried the stone bridge on Union left, which was one of the keys of the rebel position ; Fredericksburg, Va., Decem- ber 13, 1862, after which it went West, where in 1863, after fighting guerillas in Kentucky, it took an active part in Burnside's severe campaign in East Tennessee, being engaged at Blue Springs, Loudon Bridge, Campbell's Station, siege of Knoxville, and Bull's Gap.
December 25, 1863, at the close of the cam- paign, while in bivouac at Blaine's Cross Roads, barefoot, ragged, and receiving for daily rations one ear of corn per man, it re- enlisted almost to a man for three years more or during the war, returning to the Eastern army in the spring of 1864, and participating in all the movements and severe fighting of Grant's victorious campaign from the wilder-
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ness to Appomattox, a remnant of sixty-two men being present at Lee's surrender in 1865.
Mr Collis was a part of all this, being with his command continuously until the opening of Grant's 1864 campaign, when he started on a more direct line toward the heart of the Confederacy, as a prisoner of war, being taken by the rebels while reconnoitring their posi- tion at the Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Was confined at Danville, Va., for a few days, then at Andersonville, Ga., till late in the fall of 1864, then transferred to Florence, S. C. There were twelve of his regiment at one time in the latter place, and their indig- nation was aroused and their patriotism re- belled at the acts of the prison officials in bribing Union soldiers to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate government. The twelve counselled together, and agreed that, if either one of them should take the oath, the others should kill him before he left the stockade. Mr. Collis was later transferred to Wilmington, N.C., next to Goldsboro, and back again to Wilmington, where he was paroled on February 26, 1865, later ex- changed, and rejoined his command on May 4 following at Alexandria, Va. His regiment had been so decimated that there was then but a small remnant. This was consolidated into a battalion of three companies, and at- tached to the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Regi- .
ment. Mr. Collis was subsequently trans- ferred to Company F, Fifty-sixth Massachu- setts Volunteer Infantry.
Receiving his final discharge in July, 1865, he returned to Palmer, and learned the trade of a carpenter and millwright. In 1869 he went to Boston, where he remained until 1873. In February of that year he engaged in the fancy-goods business in Marblehead, Mass. ; and a year later he established a busi- ness of the same kind in Portsmouth, N.H. This venture proved successful, and he was engaged in trade until 1895. In April of that year he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and has since given his attention to the duties of his office, selling out his business October 1, 1895.
He was married in 1870 to Josephine B. Griswold, a native of Granby, Conn., daugh-
ter of George Griswold, and a lineal descend- ant, through his son George, of the Colonial Governor Griswold, of Connecticut. Mrs. Collis died in 1884, leaving two children - Grace and George L. Grace is the wife of Clifton S. Humphreys, of Madison, Me.
A stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Collis cast his first vote for Lincoln in 1864, under peculiar circumstances. He was at that time in a rebel prison; and an officer of the guard, informing the prisoners that it was election day in the North, and that there were two candidates and two propositions, McClellan and peace or Lincoln and war, gave them an opportunity to vote. In the afternoon two sacks of beans and a box were brought in; and it was explained that the ballot for McClellan was a white bean, while the Lincoln vote was black. Mr. Collis cast a black bean; and, when the vote was counted, it was found to be overwhelmingly for Lincoln. A member of Storer Post, No. 1, Department of New Hampshire, Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Collis has filled various offices. He was commander of the Post three years, and was Commander of the department of New Hamp- shire in 1885. He is a member of Thomas Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Palmer, Mass .; Washington Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons ; De Witt Clinton Commandery, Knights Templars; Davenport Council, No. 5 ; and Piscataqua Lodge, No. 5, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, all of Portsmouth. Prominent as a Grand Army man, a business man, and a public official, he is widely known and highly esteemed, both in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
ILMAN CORNING, of whom a por- trait is herewith presented, is a re- tired shoe manufacturer residing at Salem Depot. He was born in Londonderry, this county, November 2, 1815, son of John and Lydia (Richardson) Corning, respectively natives of Londonderry and Methuen, Mass. His parents spent their last years in Salem. Of their children two sons and a daughter are living; namely, Gilman, Mary E., and Thomas J. Mary E. is the widow of the late Orlando H. Woodbury, of Salem, N.H. John
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GILMAN CORNING.
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Corning, paternal grandfather of Gilman, was a pioneer settler of Londonderry; and his ma- ternal grandfather, William Richardson, of Methuen, Mass., was a minute man in the Revolution, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill.
When about thirteen years old, Gilman Corning came with his parents from London- derry to Salem. In the district schools of Londonderry and Salem he acquired the funda- ments of an education. In 1836, having at- tained his majority, he went to Haverhill, Mass., where he secured a position in a shoe shop. Returning to Salem the following year, he remained until 1842, when he again went to Haverhill, and worked at the shoe business until 1844. At this time he began the manufacture of shoes on his own account, and successfully followed it thereafter in Haverhill and vicinity for the ensuing forty years. On retiring from active business, he took up his residence in Salem Depot, where his sister, Mrs. Woodbury, now resides with him. Since then he has exerted a strong in- fluence for good in this community. It was largely through his endeavors that Pine Grove Cemetery has been beautified, and is kept in its present fine condition, so that it is now one of the prettiest burial-places in the county. The free public library also finds in him one of its most liberal supporters.
Mr. Corning was married, December 28, 1838, to Miss Lucinda D. Dow, of Windham, N. H., daughter of Abel and Betsy Dow. His only child, a son, Albion J., now resides in Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Corning died in 1883, deeply mourned by husband and son, and cherished in the memory of her many friends and acquaintances, all of whom had felt the sweet influence of her love and kind- liness. She was a member of the Baptist church of Haverhill. Mr. Corning repre- sented Haverhill in the Massachusetts legis- lature for two terms. and represented Salem in the New Hampshire legislature for one term. He has also been a member of the Salem School Board. In political affiliation he is a Republican. Although not a church communicant, he is a regular attendant of the Salem Depot Baptist church, and one of its most liberal supporters.
OHN W. GARLAND, one of Hamp- stead's prominent residents, and for- merly a member of the Board of Se- lectmen, was born in this town, February 15, 1828, son of Benjamin B. and Mary (Calef) Garland.
Mr. Garland's grandfather, Benjamin Gar- land, was born in Barrington, N. H., January 11, 1767. His early years were spent upon a farm in his native town. Later he moved to Hampstead, where he bought fifty acres of land. This farm he cultivated with energy and success until his death, which took place November 18, 1835, when he was sixty-eight years old. For many years he was a Justice of the Peace. IIe was one of the active and progressive men of his day, bearing a high reputation for honesty and fair dealings; and he was respected and esteemed by all who knew him. In politics he was a Whig. He married Mary Balch, who was born June 11, 1770. They had a large family of children, six of whom lived to reach maturity; and of these, Benjamin B., Mr. Garland's father, was one. Mr. Garland's grandmother, Mrs. Mary B. Garland, lived to be eighty -five years old, and died August 1, 1855. His grand- parents were members of the Congregational church.
Benjamin B. Garland was born in Barring- ton, N. H., February 7, 1793. When a young man, he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed in Hampstead for several years; and he later engaged in the manufacturing of shoe boxes, an industry that proved quite profit- able. He labored energetically until the ap- proach of old age compelled him to retire, and he spent the rest of his days upon his farm. He died August 8, 1872, aged seventy-nine years. In politics he was originally a Whig, but joined the Republican party at its forma- tion ; and, although not an aspirant for public office, he exercised much influence in town affairs. His wife, Mary Calef, whom he mar- ried March 18, 1819, was a daughter of Will- iam Calef, of Hampstead. She became the mother of two children, as follows: Mary A., who was born August 28, 1820, and is now the widow of Frederick A. Pike, late of this town; and John W., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Garland's mother died March
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22, 1879, aged eighty-two years. His par- ents were members of the Congregational church.
John W. Garland attended the district school of his neighborhood, and when a young man he learned the shoemaker's trade, which has been his occupation up to the present day. He owns a good farm, consisting of forty acres, which he carries on with prosperous re -. sults; and he is one of the most able and practical general farmers in this locality. As an active supporter of the Republican party, he has long been prominent in public affairs, having served as Town Treasurer, and during his several years' service as a member of the Board of Selectmen he was Chairman of that body for a greater part of the time. He has also attended to the duties of a Justice of the Peace for many years.
On December 25, 1855, Mr. Garland was married to Emily A. Ring, daughter of Amos and Lydia C. (Jones) Ring, of Hampstead. Of the two children born of this union the only survivor is Charles W., the date of whose birth was July 13, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Gar- land are members of the Congregational church, of which Mr. Garland is one of the most active and liberal supporters; and he has been a Deacon for the past four years. Mr. Garland is also one of the Trustees of the Emerson High School.
Charles W. Garland began his education in the common schools ; and, after completing his course of study at the Emerson High School and Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., he went to Haverhill, Mass., where he was for some time employed as book- keeper. Failing health at length caused him to seek outdoor occupation, and he has since been engaged in general farming in Hamp- stead. He makes a specialty of raising Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, and other fancy breeds of fowl, having a well-equipped hen- nery ; and he ships large numbers to different parts of the United States and England.
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Politically, he is a Republican, and has served as a Selectman for five years, having been a member of the board for four years in succession ; and he was its Chairman for three years. He is a business man of recognized ability. and has served as a Justice of the
Peace and a Notary Public for the past twelve years.
Mr. Garland enjoys cordial social and fra- ternal relations, being connected with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Patrons of Husbandry; and both he and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional church.
Charles W. Garland and Ada Emerson, daughter of Alfred P. Emerson, of Hampstead, were united in marriage on April 21, 1885, and are the parents of three children, namely : Leona C., who was born April 22, 1886; Mildred R., who was born August 5, 1887; and John A., who was born August 6, 1889.
AN T. SANBORN, an enterprising carpenter and builder of Danville, was born in Chester, this county, January 12, 1850, son of Simeon M. and Belinda (West) Sanborn. Daniel San- born, great-grandfather of Dan T. Sanborn, came from Kensington, this county, to Dan- ville, when the place was a part of the wilder- ness. Here he cleared a farm, and reared his family. His son, Sherburn, the grandfather, was born on the parental homestead, January 10, 1756. Sherburn was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary army, and fought in the battle of Bunker Hill. He married Mary Hoyt, a native of Chester, who became the mother of five children.
Simeon M. Sanborn, the third of his par- ents' children, was born in Bristol, N. H., December 15, 1796. He was a child when his parents moved to Poplin, N. H., now Fre- mont. After remaining with them until he reached his majority, he went to Chester, there purchased a farm, and was thereafter occupied in its cultivation until his demise, February 10, 1873. He was thrice married, on the first occasion to Roxina Mills, who bore him eleven children. Of these but two are living - John C. and Sylvester. About 1838 he took for his second wife Belinda West, daughter of Edward and Hannah West, natives of New Hampshire. By this union there were nine children, of whom five are now living. These are: Har- riet S., who married John S. Kelley, of San- down, this county; Mark, who married a Miss
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Marden, of Chester; Laura J., who married John C. Haynes, of Sandown; Maria E., who married Samuel S. West, of Raymond, N. H. ; and Dan T., the subject of this sketch.
Dan T. Sanborn received his education in the public schools of Chester. He remained on the home farm, assisting his father on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. Then, going to Fremont, he there learned the trade of carpenter and builder. He subse- quently came to Danville, where he has since done a thriving business in that line, and is earning the reputation of a first-class mechanic.
On January 1, 1876, he married Abbie C. Elkins, daughter of Abel and Clarissa R. Elkins, of Danville. He has had four chil- dren - Eva C., Herman E., Lillian Louise, and Clifton. The two last named are de- ceased. Eva C. Sanborn graduated from San- born Seminary, of Kingston, N. H., June 18, in the class of 1896. Mr. Sanborn is a stanch Republican, and served the town as Selectman in 1894 and 1895. His religious belief is that of the Universalist church. The family at- tend the Free Will Baptist church of North Danville.
ANIEL P. PENDEXTER, a car- penter and builder of Portsmouth, was born November 26, 1836, in the town of Cornish, Me., which was also the birthplace of his father and grand- father. His paternal grandfather, Henry Pendexter, spent his entire life in Cornish, where he was numbered among the successful farmers. He and his wife, Polly, were well known as worthy people and good neighbors. Their son, Henry, father of Daniel P., mar- ried Clarissa Hammonds, a daughter of Cap- tain Edmund Hammonds, who commanded a company in the Revolutionary War. Captain llammonds was engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Cornish during his active period, and was Town Clerk and Town Treasurer for sev- eral terms. He removed to Glenburn, Me., in 1848, and there resided until his death at a ripe old age. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Hill, nine children were born, of whom Mrs. Henry Pendexter, Jr., was the fifth. Mrs. Betsey (Hill) Ham-
monds lived to be ninety-six years old. Her daughter, Clarissa (Mrs. Henry Pendexter, Jr. ), died June 15, 1896, at the age of eighty- nine years, eleven months.
Daniel P. Pendexter was but two years old when his parents removed from Cornish to Glenburn, where he was bred and educated. He was engaged in lumbering from the age of sixteen to twenty-four. In 1863 he came to Portsmouth, and was employed driving a team for Frank Jones for five years. He took up the trades of carpenter and joiner in 1868, at first for Mr. Jones and later for Moses Yeaton. In 1884 he formed a partnership with Solomon Littlefield, with whom for a time he carried on business under the firm name of Pendexter & Littlefield. After the withdrawal of Mr. Littlefield Mr. Pendexter continued in business alone for four years. Then, receiving Herbert Marden into partner- ship, Pendexter & Marden carried it on for the next three years. At the end of that period Mr. Pendexter became sole proprietor, and has since conducted the business without assistance. Under his supervision many hand- some residences in this city and in neighboring towns have been built. Notable among them are the houses of both members of the firm, Maddock & Moore; the summer residence, at Kittery, of O. B. Libbey, of New York; the dwelling of Thomas Emery at York, Me. ; a house belonging to Herbert Marden and a fine residence on West Street, this city.
In politics Mr. Pendexter was formerly a Democrat, but now he votes independently of either party. He served as a member of the Common Council two years, and as one of the Ward Committee representing Ward 2 for two years. His connection with fraternal organ- izations includes membership in Independent Order of Odd Fellows, New Hampshire Lodge, No. 17, of which he is now Permanent Secretary ; in Rebecca Lodge, being Chairman of the Trustees; in Canton Senter, No. 12; in Strawberry Bank Encampment, all the chairs of which he has filled; and in Kenduskeag Lodge, No. 137, A. F. & A. M., of Kendus- keag, Me. Ile has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows several times. He attends religious worship in St. John's Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a mem-
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ber. In 1871, February 22, Mr. Pendexter was united in matrimony with Emma, daugh- ter of Thomas and Mary Cottle, of Eliot, Me. They have a son and a daughter. The son, Charley, is learning the carpenter's trade under his father's instruction ; and the daugh- ter, Dora, is the wife of John Sugden, of this city.
LIVER A. FLEMING, for the past twelve years successfully engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Exeter, is a native of Hampton Falls, this State, born in 1843, son of David and Eunice (Williams) Fleming. David Fleming, who was born in Scotland, at the age of twelve years came to America with his elder brothers. They scattered and made homes for themselves in different parts of the United States. He came to Hampton Falls, where the greater part of his life was spent. For many years he had charge of the stables there, also of the stage route from that place. After that he worked for Judge Wingate, of Stratham, Lewis County, twelve years. His last place of employment was the grist-mill at Exeter. Here, one day in 1845, while oiling the machinery, he was drawn into the wheels by his clothing, and so seriously injured that he died. He was a member of the Congrega- tional church. His wife, Eunice, who was born in Hampton Falls, lived until 1882.
Oliver A. Fleming received a fair common- school education. As by his father's death the family were left in only moderate circum- stances, he began to maintain himself at an early age. He learned harness-making, which he profitably carried on afterward in Exeter for many years. In 1884 he purchased the furni- ture and undertaking business, which he has since conducted with much success. In 1866 Mr. Fleming was joined in marriage with Miss Annie W. Robinson, a-native of Exeter, and a daughter of Charles Robinson.
Mr. Fleming's standing in the business and social circles of Exeter is unquestioned. His public spirit is well known, and he is held in high esteem by his many friends and acquaint- ances. In political contests he supports the Republican candidates, but is not an active
politician, preferring to devote his time to his business. He is a Mason of high rank, being a member of Star in the East Lodge, No. 59, A. F. & A. M. ; St. Alban Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Olivet Council and De Witt Clinton Commandery, Knights Templars, of Portsmouth. Ile has also membership in Sag- amore Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in the Royal Arcanum, and in the Im- proved Order of Red Men. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are members of the Unitarian church.
EORGE H. CLARK, a rising young merchant of West Windham and a member of the Board of Selectmen, was born in Windham, September 2, 1869, son of Henry and Eva L. (Simpson) Clark. Nathaniel Clark, Mr. Clark's grandfather, was an early settler. He was a prosperous farmer, and figured conspicuously in public affairs as a Selectman. Henry Clark is a native of this town, where he is still successfully engaged in farming. He is regarded as one of the most prosperous agriculturists here. Ilis wife, a native of West Rumney, N. H., whose maiden name was Eva L. Simpson, is the mother of four children - George H., Josie B., Rose J., and Angie E.
George H. Clark acquired the elementary branches of his education in the public schools of this town, and finished his studies with a two years' course at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N. H. He was for some time engaged in assisting his father upon the farm; but, having a natural inclination for mercantile pur- suits, he in 1895 established himself in busi- ness at West Windham. His store is stocked with a full line of groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, dry goods, seeds of all kinds, and other agricultural supplies. He also deals in pumps and other water-supplying devices, be- ing agent for the Gem Windmill. Winning confidence by his upright methods of doing business, he has already built up a large and growing trade.
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