Merrimack and Sullivan Counties New Hampshire Biographies Collections – Page 9 of 23

Biography of Jesse W. S. Moon

Jesse W. S. Moon, a retired farmer, living in the village of Bradford, was born in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, N.Y., August 12, 1845. His parents, Jesse and Sophia (Barker) Moon, are well known in Bradford through their frequent visits to their son. Mr. Moon was reared on a farm, living with his parents until December 30, 1863, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War in the Eleventh New York Cavalry as a recruit, joining his regiment in Washington soon after. He served in the South, mostly in New Orleans. In the spring of 1864 he did guard … Read more

Biography of Jesse H. Farwell

Jesse H. Farwell. In North Charlestown, Sullivan County, N.H., Jesse H. Farwell was born January 22, 1834. His father, George Farwell, was a grandson of William Farwell, who was among the first white inhabitants of the town. On settling in life, George Farwell bought a little corner of the old farm, and built the small house in which all the children were born; but afterward he owned the whole farm, and lived in the old farmhouse. An editorial in a Vermont journal gives one of the few glimpses we have of the early life of his son Jesse :- “His … Read more

Biography of Jeremiah Garvin

Jeremiah Garvin, of Chichester, an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature and a veteran of the Civil War, was born January 3, 1842, at the family homestead on Garvin Hill, where he now resides, son of Jesse and Eunice (Leavitt) Garvin. The father, a native of Pembroke, N.H., was reared upon a farm near Garvin Falls, Pembroke. When a young man he was engaged for several years in rafting logs on the Merrimac River. Subsequently turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he purchased a large farm in Chichester. This property, situated in the southern part of the town, is known … Read more

Biography of Jeremiah A. Clough

Jeremiah A. Clough, Representative of Loudon in the New Hampshire legislature, was born in this town, November 22, 1846, son of Abner and Sarah (Hazelton) Clough. Abner Clough, the paternal grandfather, who was a native of Canterbury, removed to Loudon, and settled on a farm near his grandson, residing here for the remainder of his life. Abner Clough, second, father of Jeremiah, was brought up to farming, which occupation he followed through life. He settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, and cultivated it until his death, which occurred in 1890. He and his wife, … Read more

Biography of James Yeaton

James Yeaton, a well-known farmer of Epsom, Merrimack County, was born in this town, January 11, 1832, son of John and Sarah (Bickford) Yeaton. His ancestors for several generations were prosperous farmers in this State; and his great-grandfather, John Yeaton (first), was a pioneer settler in Epsom. John Yeaton, second, grandfather of James, was a native of this town, and resided here his entire life. A successful farmer, he accumulated considerable property. He was a Democrat in politics and a Congregationalist in his religious views. At his death he was about eighty-one years old. He was three times married. His … Read more

Biography of James S. Elkins

James S. Elkins, a prominent citizen of Canterbury, N.H., was born in Rye, N.H., December 24, 1809, son of James and Mehitable (Rand) Elkins. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Elkins, was a native of Rye, where he was engaged in agriculture during the active period of his life. James Elkins was a farmer and fisherman, following the first-named occupation in Rye, where he was born May 3, 1777. He died in Canterbury, November 29, 1855. His wife, Mehitable Rand Elkins, was born in Rye, June 19, 1787, and died in Canterbury, July 20, 1859. James S., the subject of this sketch; … Read more

Biography of James Russell Lowell

James Russell Lowell, in his rhyming letter to the Pennsylvania Freeman, describing the reunited abolitionists at the Anti-slavery Bazaar in Boston in December, 1846, portrays with a few bold strokes this dauntless champion of freedom:- “Beyond, a crater in each eye, Sways brown, broad-shouldered Pillsbury, Who tears up words like trees by the roots, A Theseus in stout cowhide boots, The wager of eternal war Against the loathsome Minotaur To whom we sacrifice each year The best blood of our Athens here- A terrible denouncer he, Old Sinai burns unquenchably Upon his lips; he well might be a Hot-blazing soul … Read more

Biography of James Marcus Bennett

James Marcus Bennett, who was connected by marriage with two of the best known families of Claremont, was born in New Milford, Conn., December 12, 1819. When a young man he settled in Canada, and by his extraordinary business ability and sterling integrity achieved a marked success. He engaged in the hotel business, becoming the principal owner of the Tecumshi Hotel at London, Ont., the largest hostelry in that city. His business brought him into personal contact with men of prominence in public life, and, becoming a citizen of Canada, he joined the Reformed party. He was elected to the … Read more

Biography of James Madison Jones

James Madison Jones, the popular and efficient station agent of the Concord & Montreal Railroad at Concord, was born at Deerfield, N.H., April 26, 1833, son of James and Hannah L. (Marston) Jones. Jacob Jones, his grandfather, a native of Pittsfield, N.H., kept a successful clock and gunsmith shop in his native town for many years. He had a high local reputation as a mechanic, and he lived to a good old age. James Jones, who was born in Pittsfield, N.H., inherited his father’s mechanical talent. He took up and continued the paternal business of making and repairing clocks and … Read more

Biography of James Madison Connor

James Madison Connor, a successful and enterprising farmer of Hopkinton, was born in Henniker, N.H., August 21, 1828, son of James and Lydia (Kimball) Connor. His great-grandfather, David Connor, or O’Connor, and two brothers, all natives of Ireland, were the first settlers of the name in the district. The brothers settled in Exeter, near Lake Winnepesaukee. David, who took up his residence in Henniker, was a Revolutionary soldier. His son James, grandfather of James M., and who was later in life called Captain James, was born in Henniker. The Christian name of his wife was Dorcas. When the subject of … Read more

Biography of James Luther Jenna

James Luther Jenna, a successful farmer and esteemed resident of Langdon, is a native of Worcester, Mass. He was born April 20, 1861, son of George W. and Mary (Harriman) Jenna. James Jenna, father of George W., born in the town of Grantham, Sullivan County, followed the occupation of farmer. He married Hannah Cram, who bore him three children-George W., Julia, and Luther. Julia died at the age of twenty, and Luther died in childhood. George W. Jenna, who was born in Pomfret, Vt., February 2, 1833, and spent the greater part of his life in Washington County, Vermont, was … Read more

Biography of James Frame

James Frame, a farmer of Canterbury, N.H., and dealer in registered thoroughbred Jersey cattle, is a native of Lennoxshire, Scotland. He was born September 5, 1834, son of Robert and Janet (Pettigrew) Frame. His paternal grandfather, also named James Frame, was a large lumber dealer in Scotland, where he died when still a young man. He married Margaret McKay. Their son Robert, the father of the subject of this sketch, was for a number of years the editor of a newspaper in Glasgow. He introduced the omnibus into that city in 1845; and he ran the line for five years, … Read more

Biography of James E. Randlett

James E. Randlett, a well-known architect of Concord, was born September 5, 1846, in Quincy, Mass., son of James S. and Abbie O. (Chase) Randlett. The father, a native of Gilford, N.H., worked at his trade of stone cutter for a number of years in the stone yards of Quincy. One of the largest and most important buildings in whose construction he assisted, was the custom-house in Boston, Mass. He is now living retired in Concord, N.H. His wife, Abbie, who came from Biddeford, Me., has had three children, namely: Abbie A., who died in 1865; Henry K., who resides … Read more

Biography of James E. Barnard

James E. Barnard is a lawyer of prominence at Franklin, N.H., his native place. He was born on January 29, 1863, son of the Hon. Daniel and Amelia (Morse) Barnard. His father, Daniel Barnard, was born January 23, 1827, in Orange, N.H. Naturally of a studious turn of mind, as a youth he attended the academy in winter, and worked on his father’s farm in the summer months. He subsequently taught school in different counties of New Hampshire. In 1851 he began to read law with the Hon. George W. Nesmith, and in 1854 he became junior partner in a … Read more

Biography of James Dodge

James Dodge, who cultivated a good farm in Pembroke, and owned considerable real estate in this and other towns, was born in Goffstown, N.H., November 14, 1829, son of John G. and Polly (Tallant) Dodge. His great-grandfather, Antipas Dodge, who lived to be one hundred and one years old, and died on Independence Day, was a native of Haverhill, Mass., and an early settler in Goffstown. The first wife of Antipas, Margaret Boise Dodge, was the mother of James Dodge, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The names of his second wife and her children are unknown. James Dodge, … Read more

Biography of Jacob Newton Butler, M.D.

Jacob Newton Butler, M.D., of Lempster, N.H., one of the best known physicians in this part of Sullivan County, was born in Lyndeboro, Hillsborough County, this State, February 6, 1821, son of Jacob and Sarah (Blanchard) Butler. His great-grandfather, William Butler, came, it is said, from England, and settled in Essex County, Massachusetts. He married, so we are informed, Sarah Perkins, and had seven children, three sons and four daughters. The three sons enlisted in the War for Independence, and one never came back. One was taken prisoner and carried to Halifax, N.S., where he died of small-pox. The other … Read more

Biography of Jacob N. Flanders

Jacob N. Flanders, an influential citizen of West Concord, N.H., was born on the estate which is now his home, March 25, 1825, son of Jacob and Huldah (Abbott) Flanders. His great-grandfather, Richard Flanders, was a large landed proprietor of Millville and owner of all the Concord in the latter part of his life, and divided his land among his sons. His wife was a Fowler. Richard’s son, Richard, Jr., was a mill hand and a farmer, and helped in clearing the land now owned by his grandson. The first crops had to be stacked in the open air without … Read more

Biography of J. F. Merrill, M.D.

J. F. Merrill, M.D., a well-known physician of Franklin Falls, Merrimack County, was born in Gilmanton, N.H., June 5, 1856, son of Jacob D. and Sarah (Sanborn) Merrill. His parents are farming people of Gilmanton. Their six children are all living, and are as follows: Ida, who is the wife of Alonzo Caverly, and resides in Lynn, Mass.; George and Frederick, who are engaged in shoe manufacturing in Lynn, Mass., under the firm name of Merrill Brothers; Charles, who still remains with his parents; Addie, who is the wife of George Blanchard, and a resident of Lynn; and J. F., … Read more

Biography of J. Albert Peaslee

J. Albert Peaslee, an important factor of the agricultural and business community of Bradford, Merrimack County, was born in this town, on the farm that he still owns, December 14, 1845. His father, John Peaslee, a son of Samuel Peaslee, was a lifelong resident of Bradford. He was the Representative of an early settled family in New Hampshire, and one whose descendants are numerous in Hillsborough County, where, in the town of Pelham, they have an annual gathering. John Peaslee settled on the homestead farm now owned by his son, J. Albert, soon after attaining his majority, purchasing at first … Read more

Biography of Israel G. Mardin

Israel G. Mardin, one of Allenstown’s most able and successful farmers, was born in this town, January 9, 1826. His parents, Israel and Rachel (Ham) Mardin, were natives respectively of Allenstown and Epsom, N.H. The paternal grandfather, Israel Mardin (first), a native of Portsmouth, N.H., settled in Allenstown, and here carried on a good farm until his death, which occurred when he was forty years old. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Sally Doust, a native of Deerfield, and reared a family of five children, none of whom are living. His wife, who was a member of the … Read more