Lauren S. Clough, farmer and stock-raiser of Loudon, was born in Alton, N.H., March 5, 1842, son of Samuel and Ruth (Philbrook) Clough. His grandfather, Samuel Clough, a native of Gilmanton, N.H., and a resident of that town for the greater part of his life, was one of the sons of three brothers who settled in Gilmanton. Samuel spent his last years in Alton, N.H., where he died January 21, 1828. His wife, Rhoda (Carr) Clough, survived him until July 3, 1840. They had four children-Hannah, John, Samuel, Jr., and Eliza, all now deceased.
Samuel Clough, Jr., lived on the old homestead for some time and then came to Loudon, and subsequently lived there fifty-eight years. He was engaged in farming for the greater part of his life. During his residence in Alton he was one of the Selectmen of the town. He married Miss Philbrook, and they had five children, as follows: Myron, born December 2, 1833, who married Elizabeth Prescott, of Alton, and is now a farmer in Gilmanton; Miranda, born March 22, 1835, who is the wife of George W. J. Johnson, and resides on a farm in Pittsfield, N.H.; Eliza Jane, born January 8, 1840, who now lives with her brother, Lauren S., on the old homestead; Lauren S., the subject of this biography; Ruth Ellen, born April 28, 1844, who successively married Oliver Hutchinson, of Loudon, who died, and Allen Anderson, of California, a machinist by trade, and now lives in San Francisco, Cal. The father died July 19, 1889, and the mother June 23, 1874.
Lauren S. Clough always remained at home with his parents, receiving a good education in the best schools of the county. After the death of his father he took charge of the old homestead. He now owns one hundred acres of land under cultivation besides seventy-five acres of pasture land. The property has been much enhanced in value by the erection of several substantial buildings. Besides carrying on the farm successfully, he is also engaged in stock-raising to a considerable extent.
On June 3, 1877, Mr. Clough married Abbie Sarah Weeks, of Loudon, a daughter of Stephen H. and Elizabeth (Haines) Weeks, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Clough had four children, of whom one died unnamed in infancy. The others are: Grace, born May 8, 1878, who resides at home; Ethel M., born February 27, 1880, now attending school in Loudon; and Gertrude, born May 29, 1882, living at home. Mrs. Clough died December 3, 1884. Mr. Clough has always been a Republican in his political life, while he has never been an office-seeker. He is a Deacon of the Free Baptist Church of Loudon, of which church his sister is also a member.