Samuel H. Edes, a retired lawyer of the village of Newport, was born here, March 31, 1825, son of Amasa and Sarah (Hart) Edes. Samuel Edes, his grandfather, was an early settler of Antrim, N.H., an active farmer and a Revolutionary soldier. Samuel’s life was mainly spent in Peterboro, N.H., where he died at the remarkable age of one hundred years. He had nine children. Amasa Edes was born about the year 1792. Having graduated from Dartmouth in 1817, he came in 1823 to Newport, where he subsequently practised law for a period extending over sixty years. He was successful in his profession, and he represented his town for a time in the legislature. In religous belief he was a Unitarian; in politics, a Democrat. He died in October of the year 1883, his wife having died October 8, 1869, at the age of seventy-four years and three months. They had two children-Joseph W. and Samuel H. Joseph died at the age of five.
Samuel H. Edes was educated in the Meriden Academy and at Dartmouth, his father’s Alma Mater, graduating in 1844. He at once began to read law with his father, and was admitted to the Sullivan County bar in 1852. He practised until the year 1875 in the town of Newport. At different times he was engaged in farming, dealt in real estate, and was interested in woollen mills. In 1869 he started the mercantile business to-day carried on by his son. In 1856 Mr. Edes was instrumental in bringing the aqueduct water here. At first it was conveyed by a wooden aqueduct, but this in 1862 was changed for one of cement and iron. He owns the building known as Eagle Block, which was remodelled in 1856. He has owned land in Newport on which seventy buildings now stand.
On December 30, 1847, Mr. Edes married Julia A. Nourse, who was born in Acworth, N.H., October 18, 1827, daughter of Daniel Nourse and Margaret (Wilson) Nourse. Of their four children one died in infancy. The others were: Willie A., George C., and Marcia J. Willie, born in 1854, died at the age of eighteen years. George C. Edes, born April 23, 1849, lives in Newport, where he is a dealer in dry goods. He married November 10, 1873, Elizabeth M. Dennahan, who, born February 28, 1854, died September 12, 1896. Elizabeth J., born April 3, 1876, died September 16, 1893. The others are: Frank W., born in 1874, who is a clerk in his father’s store; Samuel W., born November 9, 1881; and George L., born November 11, 1889. George C. Edes is a Democrat, has been Town Clerk and Supervisor, and is a member of the Mount Vernon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Sullivan Commandery, K. T. Marcia J. Edes, the youngest child of Samuel H. Edes, was born in 1859, and resides in Newport.
Mr. and Mrs. Edes attend the Congregational church, of which the wife is a member. He is a Democrat, and has held office as legislative Representative and County Solicitor. He served in the latter capacity for two terms. He has been Justice of the Peace since 1852. Always interested in educational matters, he was influential in making the important change from district to high schools in the village. Mr. Edes and his wife, who have been married nearly fifty years, are one of the oldest couples in the village. Mr. Edes is active and vigorous, and, with his wealth and influence, is regarded as one of the important members of the community.