USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 66
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Jonathan P. Sanborn obtained such educa- tion as the district schools of his boyhood days afforded. His parents being in straitened circumstances, he was obliged to care for him- self at an early age. When sixteen years old, he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he subsequently worked for forty years, besides spending several years on a farm. He has now retired from active business. In politics he cast his first vote with the Liberty party, which he continued to support until slavery was abolished. In later years he has been affiliated with the Prohibitionists, though he is somewhat independent, and votes for whom he regards as the best candidate.
In 1841 Mr. Sanborn was united in mar- riage to Mary F. Rundlett, daughter of True W. Rundlett, of this town. Their union has been blessed by two sons: Charles W., a resi- dent of this village; and Cyrus R., who is a business man in Concord, N. H. The mother died in 1895. Mr. Sanborn is in his eighti- eth year ; but he is enjoying good health, and it may be hoped that his days of usefulness and honor will be lengthened.
ON. CAPTAIN JOHN SHELDON TREAT, a highly respected citizen of Portsmouth, N. H., is a descend- ant of John Treat, who came from England to this country in 1639, and settled in Wethersfield, Conn., being one of the founders of that town. His ancestors in Con- necticut during the Colonial and Revolution- ary period were all very prominent. Robert Treat, a representative of the second gencra- tion in this country, was for more than forty years Governor and Deputy Governor of Con- necticut, holding the first-named office in 1687, at the time the charter of the colony was demanded by Sir Edmund Andros, in the name of King James II., and saved by being secreted in a hollow oak-tree, after a long discussion in the Assembly, in which he took a leading part. He was the Commander-in- chief of the forces of Connecticut in King Philip's War in 1675, and commanded at the Great Swamp fight in the following year, which brought the war to a termination by the death of Philip. John Treat, Captain Treat's
great-grandfather, fought for the cause of American freedom all through the Revolution- ary War, as did also two of his brothers.
Samuel Treat, the grandfather, was born in Middletown, Conn., November 29, 1788. He learned the stone-cutter's trade in that town, and in 1807 located in Portsmouth, soon after- ward purchasing the stone business of Noah Smith, who was the successor of Daniel Marble, the founder of the enterprise. He conducted the business successfully until 1837, when he was succeeded by his son Allen. He died in Portsmouth, February 3, 1862. Allen Treat was born in Portsmouth, Febru- ary 16, 1812. In 1837 he succeeded his father as manager of the business, which he success- fully carried on till 1866, when he was suc- ceeded by his son, John Sheldon Treat. He died in Portsmouth, December 31, 1875. He married Ann Elizabeth Ham, a native of Portsmouth, born in November, 1817, a daugh- ter of William and Nancy (Green) Ham. Iler father was a citizen of good repute, a carpenter by trade; and both he and his wife were lifelong residents of this city. Mrs. Allen Treat, who is still living, a resident of Portsmouth, and now in her seventy-ninth year, reared eight children - John Sheldon, Almenia B., Frederick W., Allen, Ann Eliza- beth, Lydia E., James D., and Samuel El- dridge.
John Sheldon Treat, who is a representative of the eighth generation of the family in this country, was born in Portsmouth, N. H., Au- gust 14, 1837. He received a good education in the public schools of this city and at Phil- lips Exeter Academy. On leaving school, he learned the marble and stone cutter's trade at his father's establishment, and in 1855 went to Richmond, Va., where for some time he worked as a journeyman. Ile was subse- quently engaged at his trade in other cities of the South; and in 1858 he located in Mo- bile, Ala., forming a partnership with R. Bruce and William R. Crow, under the firm name of Crow & Treat, and establishing mar- ble yards both there and at Marion and Liv. ingston, carrying on a good business until the breaking out of the war. During Mr. Treat's residence in the South he made many strong friendships, and with the enthusiasm of a
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young man his sympathies were enlisted on the side of the Confederacy. In 1861 he en- listed in Company B, Second Battalion Ala- bama Light Artillery, and was with his bat- tery in active service throughout the war, sur- rendering at the close at Demopolis, Ala. In the broken and devastated condition of the South, ruined by the scourge of war, there was little chance for present success in his business; and after a brief stay in New Or- leans Mr. Treat returned to Portsmouth. In 1866 he purchased his father's interest, and has since been proprietor of the Portsmouth Marble and Granite Works. This establish- ment is one of the oldest of the kind in New England, having existed since 1768, and been controlled by one family for nearly ninety years. A capable and enterprising business man, Captain Treat occupies a prominent posi- tion among the marble and granite dealers of the East. On January 22, 1896, he was elected Vice-President of the Marble and Granite Dealers' Association of New England and the Provinces.
Captain Treat was married September 23, 1871, to Sarah Willard Odiorne, a daughter of Charles B. and Mary (Sheafe) Odiorne, of Rye, N. H. In politics Captain Treat is a Democrat, and has taken a prominent part in the councils of his party in New Hampshire. He was elected Senator for the sessions of 1881 and 1882. In 1882 he was elected Mayor of Portsmouth, and re-elected to that office in 1883. While Mayor, he received the Greely expedition on their return from the frozen North, besides taking a leading part in other public functions, including the last return of the Sons of Portsmouth and a grand Fireman's Muster. A strong advocate of tem- perance, Captain Treat was the first President of the Portsmouth Temperance Reform Club, which office he held one year, during which time two thousand six hundred signed the pledge, a great many of them hard drinkers. By virtue of his ancestral lineage Captain Treat has become a member of the Massachu- setts Society of Sons of the American Revolu- tion, the Society of Colonial Wars in New Hampshire, and the Society of Descendants of Colonial Governors. He is besides a member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Wash-
ington Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons ; Davenport Council, No. 3, R. &. S. M., of New Hampshire; and De Witt Clinton Com- mandery.
9 DWIN N. STICKNEY, a prosperous general merchant at Windham Junction,
and for the past twenty-five years Postmaster of the Windham Depot office, was born in Derry, N. H., March 31, 1839, son of Jonathan and Dorcas S. (Gage) Stickney. His grandfather, also named Jonathan, was an early settler of Atkinson, N. H., and was an ener- getic farmer and worthy citizen of that town.
Jonathan Stickney, father of Edwin N., was a native of Atkinson, and was reared to farm life. In 1854 he moved to Windham, where he settled upon a good farm, and continued to till the soil during the rest of his active period. He was a Democrat in politics, no office-seeker, but a faithful supporter of his party. His death took place in 1888. He married Dorcas S. Gage, a native of Pelham, N. H. ; and of the children born to this union three are now living, namely: Mary T., who is residing in Windham; Emily J., wife of O. A. Simpson, of Lowell, Mass. ; and Edwin N.
Edwin N. Stickney was educated in the common schools. He accompanied his parents to Windham when he was about sixteen years old. He remained with his father upon the farm until reaching the age of nineteen, when he entered mercantile business as a clerk in the general store of John Woodbury in Pelham, where he continued until 1861. He then re- turned to Windham, and opened a store at Windham Junction. Commencing in a small way, he has steadily advanced in prosperity, developing his business to its present propor- tions by careful management and a close at- tention to every detail. He carries a large and varied stock of general merchandise, in cluding boots and shoes, and is besides an ex- tensive dealer in grain and fertilizers.
In politics Mr. Stickney acts with the Dem- ocratic party. He has held the position of Postmaster for twenty-five years continuously, giving general satisfaction. He is highly esteemed socially for his pleasing manners
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AARON W. BROWN.
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and genial disposition, and he is regarded as one of the most public-spirited men of the town. He is a Master Mason, and is con- nected with Rising Sun Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Nashua, N. H. "
A ARON W. BROWN, one of the promi- nent business men of Raymond, and a member of the Board of Selectmen, was born in this town, November 4, 1829, son of Jedediah and Martha (Robinson) Brown. The family of which Mr. Brown is a representative came originally from England, settling in Hampton, N. H. Mr. Brown's great-grandfather, Jedediah Brown, first, was a native of Hampton. In young manhood he acquired a tract of wild land in the town of Chester, near Raymond; and he there cleared and improved quite a large farm, upon which he passed the rest of his life, reaching an ad- vanced age.
Levi Brown, Mr. Brown's grandfather, son of Jedediah, first, resided in Raymond upon the farm which is now owned by P. B. Cotson ; and he was one of the prosperous agriculturists of his day. He died in 1848, at the age of nearly ninety years. He married Elizabeth Swain, of this town, whose brother served in the Revolutionary struggle. They reared six children, namely: Jedediah; Jonathan S .; Mary ; Levi and Lihby, twins; and John - all of whom have passed away.
Jedediah Brown, second, named for his grandfather, was born in Raymond. learned the wheelwright's trade, and followed that calling during the active period of his life, occupying the same shop in which his son, Aaron W., is now carrying on business. Ile was the builder of the first four-wheeled wagon ever constructed in this town. He lived to reach the age of eighty-two years, and died in November, 1868. Ile was a sturdy, energetic man, and a useful citizen, who never aspired to prominence. In politics he sup- ported the Democratic party. His wife, Martha Robinson, who was a native of Brent- wood, N. H., became the mother of four chil- dren, of whom the survivors are: John R., a resident of Brockport, N. Y. ; and Aaron W., the subject of this sketch.
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Aaron W. Brown in his boyhood and youth attended the common schools of Raymond and Kingston Academy. When his studies were completed, he began work as an apprentice in his father's shop, learning the wheelwright's trade, including carriage painting. This busi- ness he has followed successfully to the present time, and is widely and favorably known throughout this section as a reliable carriage- builder and an able business man. Hle occu- pies the old homestead farm of fifty acres, which he cultivates with profitable results; and he is classed as one of the most progres- sive and industrious residents of this town.
In September, 1851, Mr. Brown married Mary I .. Fogg, a native of Readfield, Mc. Of the three children born of this union two are living, namely : Abbie, widow of Rufus H. Poor, late of Fremont, N. II. ; and John B., a school-teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Brown attend the Congregational church.
Politically, he is a Democrat, being one of the leading supporters of that party in this town, and has filled with ability various re- sponsible offices of public trust. During the years 1868-71 he was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and is now a member of that body. He was upon one occasion appointed to fill out the unexpired term of a chairman who died while in office, and he served as Super- visor of the check list for two years.
Fraternally, Mr. Brown is connected with Rockingham Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., of Candia, and is a charter member of Junietta Lodge, No. 47, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Raymond, in which he has occu- pied all of the important chairs.
® OBERT ROGERS, of East Derry, a farmer and a dealer in live stock, was born in Bristol, N. H., November II, 1828, son of Robert and Sarah (Lane) Rogers. Hle is a descendant of one of the carly settlers and pioneers of that scc tion of the State. Ilis great-grandfather, Major Robert Rogers, a native of Nutfield, this county, who was a Captain of a company of rangers on the American side in the French and Indian War, in which he served seven years, afterward died in England. The
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Major's son, Arthur, became a well-known attorney-at-law of Concord, N. H.
Robert Rogers, Sr., a son of Arthur, re- sided for a considerable number of years in the State of Massachusetts, but made his home during the greater portion of his life in this State. He was for several years engaged in the stone-cutting business in the locality now called Rockport, Mass. He was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Abbie (Call) Rogers, a native of this State. She died; and about the year 1826 he contracted his second mar- riage with Miss Sarah Lane, of Cape Ann, Mass. Of his children by both marriages the survivors are: Lucy, Robert, Abigail, James, Ezra, and Eliza J. Lucy resides in Baltimore, Md., and is the wife of Nathan Hipsley; Abi- gail C. is now the widow of the late George Moore, of Derry, N. H. ; and Eliza J. is the wife of Octavius De Vries, of Maryland. Mr. Rogers was in a large sense a self-made man, what he became in personal character and what he acquired of fortune being principally due to the exercise of his own native powers. At first a Whig in politics, he subsequently be- came a Republican. He was in fellowship with the First Church of Derry, being fully in accord with the faith of that denomination. His death occurred in 1880 at Derry, where he had resided very many years, respected by his neighbors.
Robert Rogers was only a small lad when he removed with his parents from Gloucester, Mass., to Derry. He received his education in the district schools of that locality. Since then he has kept abreast with the times by ex- tensive reading and keen observation, so ren- dering himself "well educated " in a large and practical sense. In his earlier manhood Mr. Rogers was employed for a number of years as a clerk in C. C. Parker's store at East Derry ; but by far the greater part of his life has been spent in general agriculture and live-stock dealing.
On November 26, 1863, Mr. Rogers was joined in matrimony with Miss Rosetta Wason, a native of Chester, N. H., and a daughter of John and Mehitable D. (Hoyt) Wason. Mr. Wason, also a native of Chester, and a son of James Wason, up to the day of his decease possessed and occupied the estate owned by
the family for five generations, descended from its Scotch-Irish founders. Captain Worthen, who was the father of Mrs. Rogers's paternal grandmother, served his country in the War of Independence; and on the side of Mrs. Rogers's mother several of the Hoyts were officers in the same struggle. John Wason, the father of Mrs. Rogers, in addition to gen- eral farming also carried on an extensive busi- ness in the manufacture and sale of lumber. Of his children two survive, namely: Rosetta, now Mrs. Robert Rogers; and Angelia, who is the wife of E. Freeman Gerrish, a resident of Deerfield, N. H. In politics Mr. Wason was successively a Whig and a Republican. He was essentially a self-made man, enterpris- ing and successful in his mercantile career, and public-spirited and progressive as a citizen. He passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Rogers, September 28, 1881, in his seventy-second year. Mrs. Wason died there May 9, 1896, at the venerable age of eighty- seven. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have two chil- dren, namely : Fannie I., who resides at the paternal home; and Henrietta W., who is principal assistant in the public schools of Winthrop, Mass. Mr. Rogers's political prin- ciples take him into association with the Re- publican party. He attends and contributes liberally to the support of the First Church at East Derry, of which Mrs. Rogers is a member. The family take an active interest and participate freely in the social events of East Derry, and their home has been the scene of many pleasant and attractive gatherings.
HOMAS B. ROBINSON, of New Mar- ket, whose beautiful farm on the Exeter River will well repay a visit, was born here, December 25, 1843, son of John J. and Mary J. (Brackett) Robinson. He is of the ninth generation of the Robinsons in New England. The first was represented by John Robinson, who settled in Haverhill, Mass., in 1640, and was killed by the Indians in this county between Exeter and Hampton in 1675. His wife, Elizabeth, bore him a son named Jonathan, who was the direct ancestor of Thomas B. Robinson. Jonathan, born in Haverhill about 1640, was a farmer, resided
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in Exeter for a number of years, and died there after 1716. His wife, Sarah, was the mother of eight children. Of these James Robinson, who was a farmer of Stratham, N. H., married and reared nine children. His son, Jonathan Robinson, born in Stratham, February 13, 1721, was of the fourth generation. The fifth was represented by another Jonathan, born in the same place, October 22, 1741. served as a Colonel at Bunker Hill, and subse- quently acted a patriot's part in the ensuing war. His death occurred about the year 1800. His wife, Abigail (Folsom) Robinson, was the mother of twelve children. Of these Shadrach Robinson, born in Stratham in Feb- ruary, 1763, was a farmer of Greenland, this county, where he died November 14, 1839. He married Mrs. Martha Brackett, a widow, who died December 5, 1841. This couple were the parents of seven children, among whom was George Robinson, the grandfather of Thomas B.
George Robinson was born in Greenland, August 24, 17.90. He was a farmer, and was the first of the family to settle in New Market, where in 1820 he located on the farm now occupied by his grandson. Prospering in his calling, he was in good circumstances. A Democrat in politics, he took an active inter- est in local affairs, and served as Selectman and in other official capacities. Though not a church member, he contributed liberally toward the support of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in August, 1870, eighty years old. On March 24, 1818, he was married to Deborah Jewett, of Stratham, who died in 1821. Her children were: John J., who was born November 1, 1818; and Martha, now deceased, who was born March 19, 1820. George Robinson entered a second marriage, contracted with Betsey Watson, who was born April 24, 1787, and died April 7, 1862. Her children were: George D. W., born April 15, 1827, who is now living in South New Market ; and Elizabeth A., born in December, 1829, who died February 10, 1831.
John J. Robinson, a native of Hampton, grew to manhood on the home farm in New Market, where he is still living. He was for many years actively engaged in general farm- ing, in which he was very successful, and was
tender of the drawbridge on the Exeter River. He is a stanch Democrat, and has served as Selectman of the town and as Representative to the State legislature. In religious matters he is liberal. On May 26, 1842, he was mar- ried to Mary J. Brackett, a native of New Market, who died August 15, 1872, aged about fifty-seven years. She made him the father of six children, namely: Adoniram J., born in 1845, who died that year; Charles M., born in April, 1852, who died November 3, 1861; Thomas B., the subject of this sketch; John A., born July 3, 1846, who is unmarried, and lives with his brother, Thomas B. being associated with him as general farmer, florist, etc. ; George E., born May 30, 1848, a produce dealer in Faneuil Hall Market, Boston, who married Miss Mary Wilcox in June, 1872, and has three children - Maud, G. Edwin, and Orton B. ; and Kate E., born June 28, 1850, who was married to John H. Knight, of New Market, in 1883, and has one son, Fred W., born June 17, 1885.
Thomas B. Robinson acquired his education in the schools near his home. As a general farmer, he has achieved remarkable success. Nothing is allowed to go to waste on his farm. He has extensive piggeries. He is engaged in fish culture; and, as a florist and nursery- man, he has a large business. He has suc- ceeded his father as tender of the drawbridge. To his house, which was built in 1792, addi- tions have been made from time to time, in- cluding the latest modern improvements. The other buildings are substantial, and well fitted with all necessary equipments. He has water power on the estate and pipe water in the house and barns. In winter the residence is heated by steam.
On January 6, 1874, Mr. Robinson was mar- ried to Miss Ella C. Roach, who was born in Holderness, N. Il., July 20, 1852. He has now one son, Charles Edwin, who was born in New Market village, October 3, 1876. This son is a close student. He has given much attention to genealogy, and is at present study- ing electricity. Mr. Robinson is a Democrat, is prominent in local affairs, and has served the town as Selectman. He belongs to the order of the Knights of Honor, and is very popular in society.
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FORGE W. PINGREE, a successful farmer of Auburn, was born June 11, 1850, son of Jacob and Emeline W. (Weeks) Pingree. The founder of the branch of the Pingree family from which George W. Pingree is descended came to this country from England, and settled in Rowley, Mass. Stephen Pingree, a native of Fitchburg, Mass., and the great-grandfather of George W., moved from Fitchburg to Grafton County of this State, residing successively in Littleton, Groton, and Franconia. He first married a Miss Sanderson, who by him became the mother of seven children, all now deceased. He entered a second marriage, contracted with a Mrs. Burke, the sister of his first wife. No children were born of this union. The family attended the Unitarian church. Stephen Pingree (second), the grandfather of George W., lived for some time in Littleton, Mass., and from there moved to Auburn, where he resided for ten or more years. s. Ho finally went to Loudon, N. H., where he re- mained until his death. He was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Kelly, and twelve children were born to them. Six of the num- ber are now living, namely: Jacob, the father of George W .; Nathan, who lives in Roches- ter, N. H. ; William E., residing in Law- rence, Mass. ; Hepsibeth D., the wife of S. M. McDuffee; Daniel W., also of Law- rence ; Harriet N., the wife of Sidney Brown, of Hartland, Vt. Those who died were : Will- iam, Mary A., Susan E., Hannah B., Susan W., and Hannah E. The father, who was an active Christian and a prominent man in the Methodist church, died April 3, 1866, aged seventy-nine years and seven months.
Jacob Pingree, the second of his many brothers and sisters, was a native of Littleton, Mass., born July 8, 1814. He came to Au- burn in the year 1826, and has resided in the same house in this place ever since. In his carly life he was a shoemaker by trade, but afterward became a lumber dealer, pursuing the latter business in connection with farming. Ile was joined in wedlock to Miss Emeline W. Weeks, a native of Chester, N. H. Of their five children three are still living, namely : Mary F., who married Charles New- ton, of Rochester, Vt. ; Lucy M., the wife of
Moses Duston, of Manchester, N. H. ; and George W., the subject of this sketch. Ellen M. passed from life in May of 1885; and Charles W. gave his life for his country in the Civil War, July 30, 1864. Mr. Jacob Pingree has led a quiet life, caring little for the notoriety of public offices. He is a mem- ber of the Congregational church, and has always been a Democrat in his political faith. He has attained the advanced age of eighty- two years.
George W. Pingree was educated in the common schools of Auburn and at Pinkerton Academy in Derry. After leaving school, he followed the trade of carpenter in various places, acquiring a reputation for conscientious and skilful work. The school buildings in District No. 4 of Auburn, and the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Davis, are excellent specimens of his skill as a builder. He has been a very busy man ever since he entered the arena of active employment, plying his trade during the summer seasons and working on his farm throughout the winter months. He lives at the old homestead where he was born. On August 27, 1872, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Julia A. Heath, of Auburn. Both of the children born of this union are still living to gladden the lives of their par- ents. They are: Etta A., who has not left the home nest; and Ella M., the wife of George G. Davis, of Auburn. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one child, Gertrude Elsie, a baby of four weeks, who is the autocrat of the fam- ily. George W. Pingree does not belong to any secret society or order. He has held the office of Supervisor of the check list for four years, and has also been Moderator for two years. He has joined the Democratic party, and is a member of the Congregational church.
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