John F. Bartlett, Postmaster of Suncook and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in Newton Upper Falls, Mass., November 15, 1836, son of George W. and Jane (Nickelson) Bartlett. His grandfather, Abijah Bartlett, who served as a sailor in the War of 1812, was a rope-maker in Salem, Mass. Abijah married Elizabeth Bartlett, of Marblehead, and reared a family of six children.
George W. Bartlett, born in Marblehead, resided in Newton Upper Falls and later in Nashua, N.H., where he followed the business of store-keeper. He died at the age of forty-five years. In politics he was originally a Whig, but later became a Democrat. His wife, Jane, who was a native of Marblehead, became the mother of eleven children, of whom Mary Ann, John F., Benjamin B., and Susan M. are living. Mary Ann married for her Clark T. Rose, by whom she has two children-William C. and Lilly. By her second husband, Ozem Hurd, she has had no children. Susan M. is the wife of Albert F. Barney, of Laconia, N.H.; and her children are: Henrietta and Carrie. Mrs. George W. Bartlett, who is still living, was born July 4, 1806, is now over ninety years old, and enjoys good health. She is a member of the Methodist church.
John F. Bartlett attended schools in Newton Upper Falls, Mass., and in Nashua and Hookset, N.H. After his studies were completed, he was employed in a mill in Hookset for a short time. At the age of seventeen he went to Lowell, Mass., where he served an apprenticeship at the machinist’s trade. After following this trade as a journeyman in Boston for twelve years, he purchased a residence in Allenstown, N.H., and therein made his home. He continued in the machinist’s business for several years after working in Manchester and Hookset. He then engaged in the restaurant business in Suncook, opening an establishment on each side of the river. Subsequently he disposed of his interest in these places and went to the mining districts of the West, where he remained for a short period and was fairly successful. Returning to Suncook, he entered the grocery and provision business, which he conducted for about twelve years. Then he retired from trade, and was for some years engaged in farming. In 1894 he was appointed Postmaster at Suncook village, and is still serving in that capacity.
On October 31, 1858, Mr. Bartlett was joined in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Joseph Quincy Gordon, of Kingston, N.H. They have three children-Ada, Henrietta, and George F. Ada married Dr. J. B. Pettingill, of Amherst, N.H., and has four children-Edith, George, Grace, and Frank. Henrietta is the wife of George W. Fowler, of Manchester, N.H., and has one son, Sherborne. George F. married Viola A. Page, of Pembroke, N.H., and has one daughter, Edith May, Mrs. Bartlett died August 4, 1894, aged fifty-seven years and nine months. In politics Mr. Bartlett is a Democrat, and he has long been a leading spirit in local affairs. He was a member of the Prudential Committee for three years, and of the Board of Selectmen in 1875; and he was tendered nomination to the latter office for the following year, but declined to serve. He was Town Treasurer for three years, and has held other offices. In 1888 he was elected a Representative to the legislature. He is connected with the Masonic Lodge in Pembroke, and has occupied all of the important chairs in the lodge of Odd Fellows. Mr. Bartlett attends the Baptist church.