Franklin New Hampshire

Biography of John F. Leighton

John F. Leighton, a prosperous dairyman of Franklin, was born where he now resides, May 27, 1832, son of Edward and Judith (Rand) Leighton. His father, who was a native of Portsmouth, N.H., came to Franklin in 1816, settled upon the farm now owned by his son, and tilled the soil successfully during the rest of his active period, attaining the age of ninety-two years. He first married February 20, 1806, Lydia Rand, whose only child, Moses, is deceased. For his second wife, on April 24, 1813, he Judith Rand, a cousin of his first wife and a native of … Read more

Biography of William Joseph Fortier

William Joseph Fortier, of Franklin village, a retired hat manufacturer, was born December 8, 1824, in Gentilly, Quebec County, Canada. His father, Dr. Thomas Fortier, who was a very prominent physician of Quebec, and later of Gentilly, was a member of Parliament for fourteen years. Dr. Thomas was twice married, first to Eliza Hannah, November 15, 1819, when he was twenty-four years of age. By this union there were seven children, born as follows: Thomas E., September 27, 1820; Mary Ann Emily, May 29, 1823; William Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Edward F., September 30, 1825; Mary L., January … Read more

Biography of Lester L. Collins

Lester L. Collins, a prosperous dairy farmer and milk dealer of Franklin, was born in this town, September 21, 1868, son of Jonathan L. and Hannah K. (Floyd) Collins. Jonathan L. Collins, who is a native of Grafton, N.H., moved from that town to Franklin, and settled upon the farm which is now occupied by his son. He improved the property, and occupied it until 1890, when he removed to another farm in this town, and is still actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife, Hannah, who was a native of Franklin, died March 4, 1896, leaving three children, Vina … Read more

Biography of Benjamin W. Breed

Benjamin W. Breed, farmer, of Franklin, Merrimack County, N.H., a veteran of the Civil War, who nearly lost his life by a gunshot wound received in battle, was born in Nelson, Cheshire County, February 12, 1830, son of John and Sarah (Blood) Breed. Many of his ancestors and of their near kin were of Massachusetts birth, and were lifelong residents of that State, the family being one of the earliest that settled in Essex County. Dr. Nathaniel Breed, who was a native of Lynn, Mass., was a surgeon’s mate on the staff of General Washington in the Revolution. Dr. Breed’s … Read more

Biography of Walter Kendall Wadleigh, M.D.

Walter Kendall Wadleigh, M.D., a skilled and popular physician of Hopkinton, N.H., was born April 7, 1864, in the town of Franklin, Merrimack County, N.H., a son of Jonathan P. and Betsey (Thomas) Wadleigh. His father, who died in the prime of manhood, was born and reared in Sanbornton, Belknap County, this State, but spent the larger part of his life in Merrimack County, where he was a large land-holder. Walter K. Wadleigh received his elementary education in Franklin, being graduated from the high school in the class of 1881. Deciding upon a professional career, for which his natural tastes … Read more

Biography of Captain John L. Kelley

Captain John L. Kelley, proprietor of Maplewood Farm, Franklin, and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, is a native of Gilmanton, Belknap County. He was born September 19, 1824, his parents being Daniel and Sally (Weeks) Kelley, the former a native of Gilmanton and the latter of Gilford. Daniel Kelley carried on a farm in his native town until 1866, when he moved to Franklin, where he resided for the rest of his life. He was the father of six children, as follows: Betsey M., born June 3, 1813, who died April 18, 1895; Sara, born June 11, 1815, … 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 John H. Hunt

John H. Hunt, a prominent farmer and a well-known veteran of Hill, was born in Dorchester, N.H., January 8, 1826, son of Jonathan and Eliza (Holmes) Hunt. His grandfather, who was born in Lexington, Mass., kept a tavern at the time Washington took command of the Continental army. Jonathan Hunt was a carriage-builder, and also kept a lumber wharf at East Cambridge, Mass., until the Lowell railroad was built. He died at Hopkinton, N.H., at the age of eighty-four years. He first married Hannah Larkin, of Lexington, Mass. His second wife, in maidenhood Eliza B. Holmes, was the mother of … Read more

Biography of John M. Fletcher

John M. Fletcher, a prominent and successful dentist of the city of Concord, N.H., was born in Canterbury, N.H., July 24, 1832. He is the son of John and Nancy (St. Clair) Fletcher. His grandfather, John Fletcher, Sr., was a native of Dunstable, Mass., born January 25, 1770. He removed to Loudon, N.H., and there spent his remaining years as an agriculturist, dying December 15, 1853. He was fortunate in choosing his partner for life, a lady of high moral worth as well as of great natural ability, a conscientious Christian, a devoted mother, and a loving wife. Her maiden … Read more

Biography of George W. Wilson

George W. Wilson, who owns a productive farm in Franklin, was born in Salisbury, N.H., July 15, 1824, son of Dr. Job and Nancy (Farnum) Wilson. His grandfather, Captain Nathaniel Wilson, who served as an officer in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, settled in Gilmanton, N. H., where he spent the remainder of his life. He was an able Job Wilson, M.D., the father of George W., was born in Gilmanton. After graduating. from college, he began the practice of medicine in Boscawen. Later he moved to Salisbury and in 1831 to Franklin, settling on the farm which his … 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 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 Charles M. Babbitt

Charles M. Babbitt, the well-known contractor and builder of Franklin Falls, was born in Hanover, N.H., son of Isaac and Wealthy (Lovejoy) Babbitt. His grandfather, Asa Babbitt, who came from England, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and spent the greater part of his life upon a farm in Hanover, dying in 1837. Isaac Babbitt and his wife, both natives of Hanover, were prosperous farming people. Isaac died in 1878, and Wealthy in 1894. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: Marinda, now deceased, who married William Ward, a merchant of Lebanon, N.H.; Isaac Sylvester, who married … Read more

Biography of Charles A. Huber

Charles A. Huber, an energetic and successful farmer of Northfield, was born January 12, 1846, in Melun, France, near Paris, son of Melheur and Katherine (Farney) Huber, both also natives of Melun. His father, who followed the sea during the active period of his life, died in France, August 21, 1855. Mr. Huber’s mother, having survived her husband but three days, died August 24. Melheur and Katherine F. Huber were the parents of fourteen children, as follows: Petre Paul, who died in the army; Joseph, who resides in Pennsylvania; Louis, who lives near Manchester, N.H.; Alexander, a bricklayer of Concord, … Read more