Merrimack and Sullivan Counties New Hampshire Biographies Collections – Page 10 of 23

Biography of Isaac N. Abbott

Isaac N. Abbott, a prominent farmer and dairyman of Concord, was born on Dimond Hill, January 4, 1835, son of Joseph S. and Esther (Farnum) Abbott. His grandfather, Samuel Abbott, one of the early settlers, locating near Long Pond, was a farmer, and passed all his life here, witnessing during eighty years many and great changes. A mere hamlet when he came, he lived to see Concord a prosperous and progressive town and to note the promise of its present largely developed industries. The Merrimac was then a pure mountain stream unspanned by bridges; and, instead of the unceasing hum … Read more

Biography of Isaac H. Long

Isaac H. Long, a popular and prosperous farmer of Claremont, was born here, March 27, 1841, son of Charles F. and Caroline J. (Hubbard) Long. The grandfather, Simeon Long, the captain of a whalingvessel, came to Claremont from New Bedford about the year 1810. His son, Charles F., born in Nantucket in 1801, learned the printer’s trade in New Bedford, but afterward on account of failing health went to sea. For twenty-three years thereafter he served on a merchant vessel, rising in time to the rank of captain. In 1843 he returned to Claremont and took up farming. He was … Read more

Biography of Irving Allison Watson, M.D.

Irving Allison Watson, M.D., of Concord, born at Salisbury, this State, September 6, 1849, is a son of Porter Baldwin, born at Corinth, Vt., July 13, 1825, and Luvia E. (Ladd) Watson; grandson of Ithamar Watson, born at Weare, N.H., September 17, 1784; and great-grandson of Caleb Watson, born at Hampstead, N.H., December 6, 1760, who was a soldier in the Revolution. Having received his preliminary education in the common schools of New Hampshire and at the Newbury (Vt.) Seminary and Collegiate Institute, he commenced the study of medicine in 1868 with Dr. Cochrane, of Newbury, Vt., and continued it … Read more

Biography of Ira Cutting Evans

Ira Cutting Evans, a well-known printer and publisher of Concord, was born in Hill, N.H., April 16, 1841, son of Jonathan and Olive Aiken (Cutting) Evans. His parents were natives of the State, and have resided in Merrimack County over fifty years. On the paternal side Mr. Evans is a descendant of John Evans, who served in most of the important battles fought in Northern New England during the struggle for American independence. The Cutting family is an old and highly reputable one; and John O. Cutting, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, served as a soldier … Read more

Biography of Hubbard Alonzo Barton

Hubbard Alonzo Barton, of Newport, a member of the present firm of editors and publishers of the New Hampshire Argus and Spectator, was born in Croydon, N.H., May 12, 1842, son of Caleb L. and Bethiah (Tuck) Barton. The Bartons are descended from English emigrants who came to the country previous to 1640. They have embraced many who have become distinguished in the learned professions and in other vocations in life. The great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, and he was a near relative of General Barton of Revolutionary fame. The … Read more

Biography of Hosea Ballou Carter

Hosea Ballou Carter, son of Susan Shannon (Merrick) Carter and Tappan Sargent Carter, was born at East Hampstead, Rockingham County, N.H., on September 5, 1834. He was educated in the public schools of Hampstead and at Atkinson Academy, where he was a classmate of General William Cogswell, of Bradford, Mass., and later of Salem, Mass. The intrinsic inwardness of modern political and legislative contests has drawn to the service of political managers and corporate magnates the sagacity, shrewdness, and fidelity of a peculiar class of men, not infrequently found in New England, especially in New Hampshire, who, being of humble … Read more

Biography of Horace Perkins Eaton

Horace Perkins Eaton, for many years a resident of Franklin, Merrimack County, and a highly esteemed and influential citizen, was a native of Weare, N.H. He was born August 30, 1811, and was the eldest son of Wheeler and Abigail (Perkins) Eaton. His father, also a native of Weare, was a shoemaker and tanner by trade. He lived for a while in Seabrook, from which place he removed to Franklin, N.H., where he settled in the northern part of the town and engaged in general farming. He spent the rest of his life on this farm; but in his latter … Read more

Biography of Horace LeRoy Choate

Horace LeRoy Choate, a wellknown and respected farmer of Hopkinton, N.H., was born in Henniker, Merrimack County, April 20, 1833, a son of George and Betsey Davis Choate. He is a lineal descendant of one John Choate, who was a son of Robert and Sarah Choate, and was baptized at Groton, Boxford, Colchester, England, June 6, 1624. In 1643 John emigrated to New England, and at the age of nineteen was a resident of Chebacco in Ipswich, Mass. Soon after he bought up shares of common lands allotted to the proprietors on Hog Island (which acquired its name from its … Read more

Biography of Horace J. Chase

Horace J. Chase, one of the leading business men of Hopkinton and a son of Enoch J. and Sarah (Holmes) Chase, was born on Clement Hill, Hopkinton, October 11, 1825. His grandfather, Enoch Chase, came here from Portland, Me., and was for many years Selectman and Collector of Taxes. The account book used by Enoch is now in the possession of his grandson, Horace J. Chase. His son, Enoch J. Chase, was born in Hopkinton. In his early life he was a shoemaker and a cooper. At a later date he built a mill on his farm, and went into … Read more

Biography of Horace Childs

Horace Childs, a pioneer railroad bridge builder in New England, is a prominent resident of Henniker, Merrimack County, N.H. He was born in this town, August 10, 1807, son of Solomon, Jr., and Mary (Long) Childs. He is a lineal descendant of William Childs or Child, a brother of Ephraim Child, who emigrated from England, and settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1630. The family, which was a notable one in England, sustained the dignity of a coat of arms. William Child was made a freeman at Watertown in 1634, and became a landowner there. His son John was conspicuous in … Read more

Biography of Hon. William H. Bartlett

Hon. William H. Bartlett, formerly an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire, was born in Salisbury, N.H., August 20, 1827. His paternal ancestry were prominent in early Colonial affairs, and several of them served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. A brother of Judge Bartlett was at one time President of Dartmouth College. An extended account of the family will be found in the History of the Town of Salisbury. Mr. Bartlett graduated from Dartmouth College, on which occasion he was the valedictorian of his class. His law studies were pursued with Judges Perley and … Read more

Biography of Hon. John Whitaker

Hon. John Whitaker, a retired lumber dealer of Penacook and ex-member of the State Senate, was born in Hopkinton, N.H., June 9, 1835, son of John and Hannah (Bickford) Whitaker. He is a descendant of one of three brothers who emigrated from England in the early days. His paternal great-grandfather, serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Peter Whitaker, the grandfather, a native of Deering, N.H., was a prosperous farmer. John Whitaker, Sr., Mr. Whitaker’s father, first enlisted for three months’ service in the … Read more

Biography of Hon. John Kimball, A.M.

Hon. John Kimball, A.M., exmayor of Concord, N.H., a man of strong character, sterling worth, and more than ordinary ability, is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. He was born in Canterbury, N.H., April 13, 1821, a son of Benjamin and Ruth (Ames) Kimball. The Kimballs have been domiciled in New England for more than two hundred and sixty years, and have given to these States many intelligent and capable men and women. The first immigrants of the name, Henry and Richard Kimball, with their wives and children, fled from the religious persecutions of the Old World, and found … Read more

Biography of Hon. John C. Linehan

Hon. John C. Linehan . – “A hundred years after the Puritans and Pilgrims made a settlement on the coast of New England there came to this country a multitude of emigrants, mostly from the north of Ireland, who soon became absorbed into the ranks of the first settlers, and became the very best of citizens. In the contest for independence they rendered the most efficient services to the colonies, as they had previously done in protecting the frontiers from the inroads of the Indians. After another century, our doors having been opened wide for the reception of people from … Read more

Biography of Hon. Isaac Darwin Merrill

Hon. Isaac Darwin Merrill, a well-known public man of Contoocook, is a son of Isaac and Mary (Wyman) Merrill, born October 1, 1814, in Hopkinton village, N.H. The father, a native of Hollis, Hillsborough County, born June 15, 1784, was a cooper by trade, and worked in Boston, Portland, and Troy, N.Y. When Isaac D. was about a year old, the family moved from Hopkinton to Hillsborough Bridge, where his father was employed at his trade. Later, more than sixty years ago, he settled in Contoocook, built the house where the subject of this sketch now resides, worked at his … Read more

Biography of Hon. Ira Colby

Hon. Ira Colby, one of the leading lawyers of the State of New Hampshire, was born in Claremont, N.H., January 11, 1831, son of Ira and Polly (Foster) Colby, both of purely English descent. Their families in the various branches number many persons of distinction. On the maternal side he is descended from Reginald Foster, who came from Exeter, Devonshire, England, and settled in Ipswich, Essex County, Mass., in 1638. It has been stated in an account of the descendants of Joseph Stickney, which appeared in the New Hampshire Granite Monthly of July, 1892, that the family of this Reginald … Read more

Biography of Hon. Hosea W. Parker

Hon. Hosea W. Parker, of Claremont, N.H., attorney and counsellor at law, was born in Lempster, Sullivan County, May 30, 1833, son of Benjamin and Olive (Nichols) Parker. His father was an esteemed citizen of Lempster, where he held many positions of trust and 1845, leaving three children-Emilie, Hiram, and Hosea W. Emilie L. married Ransom Beckwith (deceased), by whom she had two sons-Walter P. and Hira R., the former a graduate of Tufts College and the present superintendent of the Salem Normal School, the latter a well-known architect, residing in Claremont, N.H. Hiram Parker is a merchant of Lempster, … Read more

Biography of Hon. George Peabody Little

Hon. George Peabody Little is an influential citizen of Pembroke, N.H. In his veins flows the blood of two old and reputable New England families, the Littles of Newbury, Mass., and the Peabodys of Danvers, the famous banker and philanthropist, George Peabody, having been his kinsman. Mr. Little was born in Pembroke, N.Y., June 20, 1834, a son of Dr. Elbridge G. and Sophronia Phelps (Peabody) Little. He is of the eighth generation of Littles in this country, tracing his descent from George Little, who settled in old Newbury, Mass., in 1640 or soon after. George Little was a tailor … Read more

Biography of Hon. George Ashby Cummings

Hon. George Ashby Cummings, ex-Mayor of Concord and formerly a member of the State Senate, was born in Acworth, June 13, 1833, son of Alvah and Polly (Grout) Cummings. His father was a native of Sullivan, and his mother was born in Acworth. He was educated in the public schools of South Acworth. At the age of twenty years he engaged in the marble business in Franklin, N.H., where he remained until 1861. He then moved to Concord, where he has prosperously carried on the same business. His reputation is that of an able, energetic business man. He was a … Read more

Biography of Hon. Gardner Batchelder Emmons

Hon. Gardner Batchelder Emmons, a successful business man of Concord, N.H., who is now serving his first term as a State Senator, was born in Bristol, Grafton County, this State, February 18, 1847, son of Horace M. and Maria (Batchelder) Emmons. The paternal ancestors have been identified with the history of Bristol, N.H., for at least one hundred and fifty years; while the Batchelders have been inhabitants of Reading, Mass., about two hundred and fifty years. Gardner B. Emmons attended the public schools of Bristol in his boyhood, and completed his course of study in New Hampton Institute at the … Read more