Cyrus Marden, a prosperous farmer of Epsom, was born in this twon, May 16, 1850, son of David and Ann (Bickford) Marden. The grandfather, William Marden, who was a native of Portsmouth, came to Epsom about the year 1790. He followed the carpenter’s trade in connection with farming during the active period of his life, and died at the age of ninety-two years. Of his nine children two were born before he came to Epsom.
David Marden, born in Epsom, and the youngest son of William, in early life assisted upon the home farm. Following the example of his father, he made carpentry and farming his chief occupation. He was a hard-working man, very seldom going from home; and, although the cars ran within a half-mile of his house, he never rode upon them. In politics he supported the Democratic party. He died at the age of seventy-five. His wife, Anna Bickford, was born in Epsom, daughter of Sam Bickford, who was the father of seventeen children. She became the mother of eleven children, of whom Carrie, Noyes, Freeman, Moses, and Cyrus are living. Carrie married James M. Gordon, of Concord, N.H., and has four children-Flora B., Hattie S., Leon S., and Ena L.; Noyes Marden married Ella Merrill, of Concord. Freeman Marden married Lavinia Bickford, of Epsom, and has three children-Etta M., Lillie M., and Nellie R. Moses Marden married Carrie Rundy, now deceased, and became the father of five children-Melvin S., Mabell N., Milton W., Adelle, and Harvey. Harvey Marden enlisted as a private in Company A, Seventh New Hampshire Regiment, fought in the Civil War for nearly four years, and died while in service. Mrs. David Marden lived to the age of seventy-four years.
Cyrus Marden was reared and educated in his native town, growing to manhood upon the farm where he now resides. He succeeded to the property, and has since carried on general farming with success. The first of his two marriages was contracted September 16, 1880, with Angie M. Marden, a daughter of Nathan G. Marden, of Epsom. She had four children-Walter L., Ada F., Lena A., and Ethel A. The second marriage, performed in January, 1891, united Mr. Marden to Laura J. Marden, his first wife’s sister. By this union there is one son, Gerald L. In politics Mr. Marden is a Republican. Although he takes no active part in public affairs, he is always ready to aid in forwarding any measure calculated to be beneficial to the community. He is a Deacon of the Free Will Baptist church, and Mrs. Marden is a member of the Congregational church.