Hiram C. Ellenwood, a carpenter and undertaker of Charlestown, N.H., was born in Woodward, Vt., November 26, 1826, son of Cyrus and Sally (Draper) Ellenwood. His grandfather, Joseph Ellenwood, was a native of Greenfield, N.H., where he also resided during the greater part of his life, engaged in general farming. He married Mary Punchard, who became the mother of nine children. Their son, Cyrus, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Greenfield, N.H., in 1782. He was a shoemaker by trade, and removed to Charlestown at the age of fifty years. In 1811 he married Sally Draper, and they had seven children-Sally, Harvey, Simeon, Frances, Hiram (the subject of this sketch), Warren F., and Sarah.
Hiram C. Ellenwood spent his school days in Acworth, N.H., where he stayed until he was twelve years of age. He then went to Charlestown, and worked on different farms outside the village. When he was twenty years old, he began to learn the carpenter’s trade, serving as an apprentice for three years. He afterward went to Boston, where he worked at his trade for two years. On his return he continued as a carpenter; but, becoming sexton for the Unitarian church, he entered also into the business of undertaking, which he has continued for thirty-five years. He is one of the prominent Democrats of Charlestown, and has served on public committees on several occasions. He was appointed Town Sexton in 1861, which position he has since held. In October, 1855, Mr. Ellenwood married Martha Clark, who was born in Newbury, Vt., a daughter of Moses Clark. They had one son, Simeon, who died in infancy.