USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 76
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ILLIAM D. COCHRANE, of Wind- ham, one of the Commissioners of Rockingham County, and an ex- member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in Windham, September 28, 1829,
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
son of Captain Isaac and Annis (Dinsmore) Cochrane. The family, which is of Scotch- Irish origin, was founded by John Cochranc, an carly settler of Windham. His son, James Cochrane, grandfather of William D., was born in this town, and here spent his life, chiefly occupied in farming.
Captain Isaac Cochrane, Mr. Cochrane's father, also a native and lifelong resident of Windham, successfully carried on the farm now owned and occupied by his son. He took an active part in public affairs, first as a Whig, and later as a Republican. He was a Selectman during the years 1823, 1824, and 1825, served as Town Treasurer for five years, and held a captain's commission in the State militia. He was a man of unusual energy and perseverance, who took advantage of every op- portunity for advancement. He continued in the active management of his property up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1862. His wife, in maidenhood Annis Dinsmore, was a native of this town. Of her children by him there are living: James, Charles, Isaac, Mary, Ellen, and William D. She died in 1874.
J OHN S. STEVENS, a veteran agricult- urist, was born June 1, 1819, in the town of Brentwood, where he has since resided. His father, Fifield Stevens, was descended from one of the pioneer settlers of the place. He was a cooper by trade, and in addition to this occupation was engaged successfully in farming, having purchased the homestead now occupied by his son, John S., in 1821. He married Nancy Brown, who was born in Kingston, this county. Their daugh- ter Jane, one of their four children, is no longer living; Catherine, the surviving daugh- ter, is the wife of Andrew G. Dudley, of Brentwood; and Samuel F., the only brother of John S. Stevens, is a resident of Boston. The mother passed from earth in 1852, and the father in 1862.
According to tradition the first ancestor of the Stevens family in America was a native of the West Highlands of Scotland, and a de scendant of the carly Britons. Nearly two hundred years ago Samuel Stevens, the great-
great-grandfather of John S., moved from New Market to that part of Exeter now included in Brentwood. History records the names of several of the white inhabitants of New Hamp- shire who in the early part of the eighteenth century were captured by the Indians, and carried away to Canada, among them Edward Hall in 1706, and William Moody, Samuel Stevens, and two sons of Jeremiah Gilman in I709. Moody, it is said, was burned at the stake -roasted and devoured, the gruesome story has it. Others escaped or were released, one of them happily winning the favor of the French and Indians by building a saw-mill. After regaining his freedom, Samuel Stevens returned to Exeter, where his name is on the list of tax-payers for 1718. He settled on land which he and his brother had purchased, spending there the rest of his days. He mar- ried a Miss Gordon, and they reared a large family.
Their son, Edward Stevens, inherited a por- tion of the homestead, and spent his life there. He was a Captain in the Colonial militia and active in town affairs, serving on the first Board of Selectmen of Brentwood. He mar- ried a Miss Burleigh, of New Market, by whom he had eleven children. Ensign Sam- uel Stevens, the grandfather of John S., in- herited a part of the homestead, to which he added by the purchase of adjoining land, resid- ing there throughout his life. Besides engag- ing in general farming, he learned the trade of a cooper, and conducted that business also. He lived to be seventy-seven years old. Nancy Brown, his wife, was a daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Meserve) Brown. Her father was a farmer, and so far as known a lifelong resident of Kingston. Her mother was a daughter of Colonel Nathaniel Meserve, of Portsmouth, who "rendered highly merito- rious services " at the first and second sieges of Louisburg as well as at Crown Point and Fort Edward, and he died at Louisburg in 1758.
John S. Stevens was but two years of age when his parents removed to this farm, where he was reared, and which has since been his home. He obtained his education in the dis- trict schools of this town, and under his father's direction early became practically ac-
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quainted with the various branches of farm- ing, which has been his life occupation. As long as his father lived, he assisted him in the care of the farm; and he finally succeeded to its ownership. He has one hundred acres of fertile land, much of it being under cultiva- tion; and he raises good crops of hay, corn, and potatoes as his principal products. politics Mr. Stevens is a stanch Republican. He was formerly active, and is still influen- tial in local affairs. He has held various offices within the gift of his fellow-townsmen, having been Selectman several terms, besides which in 1870 and 1874 he represented his district in the State legislature.
On October 8, 1851, Mr. Stevens married M. Anne Kimball, a daughter of the late John Kimball, who was a prominent resident of Exeter, for many years a Justice of the Peace, and at one time a Representative in the State legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have seven children, namely: William F., now residing in Lowell, Mass., who married Emma Harris, of Exeter; Mary N .; who lives in Exeter; Sarah K., residing in Boston; James L., who lives on the parental home- stead, of which he has now the charge, and who married Amy Whitmore, of New Haven; Emma, residing at home; and Elizabeth and Anne, both residents of Boston.
OSEPH JUDKINS, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed farmers of Kingston, was born in this town, Janu- ary 16, 1817, son of Henry and Lydia (Brown) Judkins. Several generations of the family have resided in Kingston. As early as 1725 Benjamin and Samuel Judkins, brothers, were residents of the town. Sam- uel, who died February 23, 1741, had two sons, namely : Joel, born September 25, 1712; and John, born February 18, 1719. The sec- ond son, John, was married in November, 1750, to Esther Sweat, who bore him the fol- lowing children: John, in 1753; Stephen, in 1756: Elisha, in 1758; and Samuel, in 1760.
Joel Judkins, the elder son of the first Sam - uel, was the next progenitor of Joseph Jud- kins. He was married on January 1, 1735, to Mehitabel Calkins, whose children by him
were: Samuel, born June 8, 1736; Moses, born February 3, 1738; Aner, born Septem- ber 11, 1739; Leonard, born in September, 1741; Joseph, born August 23, 1743; Abi, born August 9, 1745; Mehitabel, born May 23, 1747, who died in 1749; Benjamin, born April 18, 1749; Henry, born December 5, 1750; and Caleb, born April 16, 1753. Henry Judkins, who was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, died October 20, 1825. He married Mary Barnard, and with her reared seven children - Hannah, Mary, Abigail, Esther, Henry, Joel, and Mehitabel. Henry, the eldest son, who was the father of Joseph Judkins, died June 20, 1839. He was married November 28, 1811, to Lydia Brown, who died January 13, 1819. Their children were: Simeon B., born July 23, 1812, married Catherine Hoyt, and died July 8, 1877; Louisa S., born October 10, 1814, who died October 25, 1825; and Joseph, the subject of this sketch.
Joseph Judkins was educated in the district schools near his home and at Kingston Acad- emy. He was learning the carpenter's trade at Kingston Village, when he was called home on account of the sickness of his father. His father's death subsequently threw the care of the homestead upon him, and he there- fore abandoned his plan of becoming a carpen- ter. Since that time, up to within a few years, he has been actively engaged in general farming and in operating a grist-mill. Mr. Judkins is a worthy representative of the fam- ily from which he comes. He has been Direc- tor of the Rockingham Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Exeter, N. HI., for thirty years, and the company's agent for Kingston for forty-one years.
Mr. Judkins has been twice married. The first occasion was in September, 1846, when he was united to Hannah E. Blake, daughter of Enoch Blake, of Pittsfield, N.H. She died June 10, 1863. By his second marriage he was wedded to Abbie S. Thyng, a native of Brentwood, N.H., born August 5, 1820, a daughter of James and Mehitable (Judkins) Thyng. Mr. Thyng, carpenter and farmer, was a native of Brentwood. His wife was born in Kingston. Mr. Judkins, by his first wife, became the father of three children,
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namely: Henry E., born July 23, 1847, who died December 1, 1865; Enoch B., born March 6, 1850, a book-keeper in Haverhill, N.H., who married Miss Nellie A. True, and has one child, Etta M .; and Arthur R., born March 30, 1859. Arthur R. Judkins now has charge of the farm and mill, his father having retired from active work on account of ill health. He married Delia A., who was born August 13, 1865, daughter of Joseph and Mary E. (Fifield) Page, of Brentwood. He has now two children - Henry F., born February 13, 1890; and Elsie E., born August 4, 1893.
Mr. Judkins, Sr., is prominent among the Republicans of the district, and has served as Town Treasurer, and in the capacity of Selectman for several terms. He is a member of the Congregational society, and liberally supports religious work and other good causes. A well-informed man, he has gained some of his information by reading, and much by travel and personal observation. He was one of the first to attend the Centennial Exposi- tion at Philadelphia in 1876. On that occa- sion he extended his journey through the South, visiting many places of historical in- terest. In the vicinity of his home he is well known, and holds the regard of all his acquaintances.
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ANIEL C. HOOKE, a prominent and prosperous farmer of the town of Fremont, Rockingham County, was born November 24, 1831, being the worthy representative of one of the carli- est settlers of the place. The old Hooke homestead, which he now owns and occupies, has been in the possession of the family for several generations, the house having been erected about two hundred years ago.
Mr. Hooke's great-grandfather, Elisha Hooke, was born in Danville, but came here at a very early age, settling on the present home farm while it was yet in its primeval wildness. Having cleared a portion of the land, he engaged in farming, living here until his death. Moses Hooke, Sr., son of Elisha, inherited the homestead property, on which he spent his entire life, being employed in tilling the soil and in adding to the improve-
ments already inaugurated. His son, Moses, Jr., was the father of Daniel C. Hooke.
Moses Hooke, Jr., was a lifelong resident of Fremont, where he led an active and useful life until his death in 1871. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and, in addition to this employment, carried on an extensive busi- ness in butchering. He was twice married. His first wife, Mary Brown, was a native of Fremont, where she died a few years after her marriage, leaving two children: Mary Ann, now the wife of John C. Sanborn, of Fremont ; and Daniel C., the special subject of this sketch.
Daniel C. Hooke was but an infant when his mother died, and he was reared to man's estate by his paternal grandparents. He was the recipient of excellent educational advan- tages, attending the Kingston and Atkinson Academies. On attaining his majority, Mr. Hooke purchased the old homestead property, on which he has always lived, and has since carried on farming and lumbering on an ex- tensive scale. He has six hundred acres of land; and, in addition to his large crops of corn, hay, and potatoes, he has a fine orchard, which produces many varieties of apples.
In politics Mr. Hooke adheres closely to the principles of the Republican party, which he has always supported. He has served with faithfulness in the various offices of the town, and during the years of 1863 and 1864 hc represented his district in the State Assembly. For fifteen years he was Selectman, being Chairman of the board the most of the time. He was also Chairman of the School Board five years, and at present he is creditably filling the office of Justice of the Peace. He is an infli- ential member of the local grange of Patrons of Husbandry. In religion he is a Universal- ist. From his father, who was a somewhat noted music-teacher, Mr. Hooke inherited a talent for music, which he has cultivated to some extent, and is a fine vocalist. He at one time belonged to a quartette of which he was the leader; and it is perfectly safe to say he has sung at more funeral services than any other person in this vicinity, his rich and sympathetic voice being especially impressive on such occasions.
Mr. Hooke was married December 15, 1857,
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to Mary Ann French, who was born Septem- ber 20, 1834, in Danville, daughter of Jona- than and Abigail French, lifelong residents of that place. She died July 18, 1871, leav- ing three children - Arthur P'., Lincoln F., and Mary Abbie. Arthur P., born February 14, 1859, died September 23, 1883. Lincoln F., who resides on the old homestead, which he assists in managing, was born January 12, 1861. Ile married September 3, 1888, Miss Nellie H. Simpson, who died February 15, 1892, leaving one child, Lyman Simpson Hooke, who was born November 26, 1890. Mary Abbie, born December 8, 1864, was engaged in teaching school for a few terms prior to her death, which occurred December 24, 1886. On September 3, 1873, Mr Hooke was married to Mrs. Ellen Emery Simp- son, a native of Bangor, Me. She was born June 3, 1835, being a daughter of Oliver H. and Hannah O. (Porter) Emery, who spent their last years at College Hill, Mass., the mother living to the venerable age of ninety- five years. Mrs. Hooke was first married Oc- tober 8, 1855, to James Simpson, of South Berwick, Me. He died in 1868, leaving her with two children, namely : a daughter, Nellie Harris Simpson, who married Lincoln F. Hooke, son of Daniel C., and died in 1892, as above mentioned; and a son, James T. Simpson, now lives in the West.
EWIS H. DEARBORN, a successful business man and one of the leading residents of East Candia, was born in this town, February 8, 1846, son of Asa F. and Melinda (Bartlett) Dear- Mr. Dearborn's grandfather, John born.
Dearborn, a native of Danville, N. H., was for several years engaged in the butchering business. At a later date John Dearborn worked at the shoemaker's trade, also culti- vating a farm in Granville, N. H. After a very busy life, he died in 1866, aged eighty years. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church, while in politics he supported the Whig party. Of his children by his first mar- riage he reared John C., Samuel, Asa F. Nabby, and Marian. There were no children born of his second marriage.
Asa F. Dearborn, who was born in Gran- ville, came in young manhood to Candia. He was an energetic and successful farmer and stock dealer. In religious belief he was a Methodist, in politics a Democrat; and he was much respected in the community. He died May 30, 1873, at the age of forty-nine years. His wife, Melinda, became the mother of nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: George J., who resides in Candia; Lewis H., twin brother of George J., and the subject of this sketch; Charles A., who .oc- cupies the old homestead; Melinda F., the wife of Daniel N. Ellsworth, of Haverhill, Mass. ; Julia A., the wife of Norris J. Tilton, of Raymond, N. H. ; Abbie, who married George A. Robinson, of Manchester, N. H. ; and Lucy B., the wife of Melville Nason, of the same city.
Lewis H. Dearborn acquired his education in the schools of Candia. After ending his studies he assisted in carrying on the home farm until he was twenty-four years old. For the next three years he was engaged as a butcher; and at the expiration of that time he formed a copartnership with F. P. Brown, under the firm name of L. H. Dearborn & Co., and established a grocery store at East Candia. One year later he sold his interest to his associate, and engaged in lumbering, which he continued for four seasons with good re- sults. He then took up the building busi- ness, which he has since followed. The res- idences of J. A. Holt, Jere Brown, and three houses and a store for Frank Brown are samples of his work. He was one of the building committee appointed to oversee the construction of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has been connected with most of the important building enterprises of the town for several years past. He owns and occupies a good farm, which he also carries on successfully. In politics he acts with the Democratic party. He has been Selectman for two terms, and was for several years con- stable and policeman. He has declined re- election to the Board of Selectmen and the nomination for Representative to the State legislature.
On April 17, 1869, Mr. Dearborn wedded Elbra M. Woodman. She was born in Ray-
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mond, N. H., daughter of Jonathan and Me- linda A. (Stickney) Woodman, of that town. The Woodman family is an old and highly reputable one in this county. Her grand- father, Jonathan Woodman, of Decrfield, N. H., an industrious farmer and shoemaker, was a well-known citizen of his day and a member of the Baptist church. His wife, Sally, bore him seven children, of whom the sole survivor is Luella, the widow of David Woodman, late of South Hampton, N. H.
Jonathan Woodman, Mrs. Dearborn's father, was a prosperous farmer and a leading man of Raymond. He was highly respected by his fellow-townsmen, to whom he rendered val- uable service for several years as a member of the Board of Selectmen. In politics he acted with the Republican party, and he was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His last days were spent upon his farm in. Raymond, where he resided during the greater part of his active period, and he died in February, 1894, aged seventy-four years. With his wife, Melinda, he reared two children, namely: Zelinda A., the wife of Lawrence E. Perkins; and Elbra, now Mrs. Dearborn. Mr. and Mrs. Dearborn have one son, Earl H., who is now residing in Haver- hill, Mass. Mr. Dearborn's religious creed is that of the Methodist denomination. He is a Mason of Junietta Lodge, No. 47, of Raymond.
OBERT SMITH FRENCH, an en. terprising agriculturist of Danville and a native of this place, was born October 27, 1831, son of Jonathan French, Jr., and Abigail (Folsom) French. Ilis grandfather, Jonathan French, Sr., was a lifelong resident of Danville township. Jon- athan French, Jr., was engaged in farming throughout his active period, his home being in the eastern part of the town. Ile was well known in this vicinity as a man of ability and integrity ; and, besides being Selectman of the town for several years, he represented it for three years in the State legislature. His wife bore him five children, of whom Robert Smith is the only one now living. The others were : Jonathan, who was engaged in teaching; Daniel, who married Miss Fannie Littlefield,
who is now living in Haverhill, Mass. ; Arthur, of whom no special record seems to have been preserved; and Mary Ann, who married Daniel C. Hooke. The mother, who was born and reared in Newport, Me., is also deceased.
Robert Smith French had but few educa- tional advantages compared with the youth of the present generation. Beginning almost in childhood, his services were needed on the home farm when he should have been at school. After reaching the age of twenty-five he worked in the neighborhood for two years as a farm laborer. At the time of his marriage he settled on the farm, where he is still en- gaged in general farming and charcoal burn- ing. This estate formerly belonged to his father-in-law, and is known as the old Peaslee farm. It contains one hundred and forty acres of land, a large portion of which is in a good state of cultivation, and yields good harvests each year. Mr. French has added material im- provements to the property since he became the occupant. He takes an active interest in local affairs, and has served his fellow-citizens in various offices, besides which he represented the town of Danville in the State legislature in 1882. In politics he is a stanch Republican, never swerving from party allegiance.
Mr. French was married to Mary C. Peaslee, a native of Danville, born December 23, 1840. Her father, the late Caleb Peaslce, was born and reared in this township, where he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His widow, formerly Hannah Green, now an aged woman of ninety years, lives with her daughter, Mrs. French. Mr. and Mrs. French have one child, Arthur P., born November 12, 1864, who is a well- educated young man, popular with his com- panions, and one of the leading members of the social circles of Danville. Mrs. French is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ERBERT A. MARDEN, a well- known carpenter and builder of Ports- mouth, was born here, February 4, 1849, son of George E. and Mary E. (Thomas) Marden. Captain Israel Mar- den, the grandfather of Herbert A., and a na-
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tive of Portsmouth, was a stage-driver for a number of years, and afterward became an inn- keeper. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was a Captain in the town militia. He mar- ried Miss Nudd, of Maine; and they had five children, two of whom, Asa and Israel, are now living at Greenland, this county. The father lived to be seventy-four years of age.
George E. Marden was a carpenter by trade, and served as foreman of the Eldridge Brewing Company for seventeen years. Subsequently he went into business for himself. Regarding politics he followed in the wake of his father, holding unswervingly to Democratic prin- ciples. Ile was Selectman from Ward 2 of Portsmouth for a time. His wife, Mary, who was a daughter of James Thomas, of Rye, this county, bore him seven children, six of whom are still living ; namely, George A., Eldridge C., Herbert A., Clara J., Ida E., and Emma L. Levi W. died in May, 1889. The father's death also occurred in 1889, when he was seventy-three years old.
Herbert A. Marden attended the Portsmouth public schools. After leaving the high school he was employed in Laighton Brothers' hotel at the Isles of Shoals for three years. From there he went to Dover, N. H., to learn the blacksmith's trade. Having finished his three years' apprenticeship in 1873, he began to learn the carpenter's trade. Three more years were spent in doing this, since which time he has followed the carpenter's trade continuously. Hle formed a copartnership with Daniel P. Pendexter, under the name of Pendexter & Marden, which lasted for some time; but since 1893 Mr. Marden has been in business alone.
In 1879 Mr. Marden married Carrie B. Clark, daughter of Edmund and Dorothy Clark, of Portsmouth, and has since become the father of two children, both still at home. lle has always supported the Democratic party in politics. Since 1873 he has been a member of the fire department, of which he has been Chief Engineer for about ten years. His first period of service was from 1884 to 1890. Having been re-elected in 1891, he has now held the office continuously for nearly five years. Ilis
first engine was Dearborn Steamer No. I. Later he had charge of the WV. H. Goodrich Steamer, No. 4. Mr. Marden
is quite prominent in Masonic and kindred organizations. He has passed all the chairs in the New Hampshire Lodge, No. 17, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. He is a mem- ber of Massasoit Tribe of Red Men, No. 16, and of Damon Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is also connected with the Firemen's Re- lief Association, which he served as President for about three years.
R. ALBERT TEFFT SEVER- ANCE, a prominent dentist of Exeter and a war-scarred veteran, was born in Brewer, Me., Septem- ber 17, 1842, son of Thomas and Lydia (Lovell) Severance. Thomas Severance, a native and a lifelong resident of the State of Maine, was a tanner and currier, and followed his trade during the greater part of his life. He was highly respected in the community in which he lived, and was frequently honored with public positions of trust and responsi - bility. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his grandfather served as an officer under Ethan Allen at the capture of Ticon- deroga. He died in 1857. His wife, who was born in Hingham, Mass., died in Newark, N. J., in 1878. She also came from pa- triotic stock. Her grandfather was wounded and made a prisoner at Bunker Hill, and sub- sequently served under Washington in Vir- ginia. A martial spirit and a love of native land are therefore very natural characteristics of Dr. Severance. Besides himself two other children of his parents are living. These are : Willis E. and Charlotte L., who reside in Newark, N. J.
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