Nathaniel Morgan True, a prominent farmer of Plainfield, was born here, February 21, 1826, son of Osgood and Betsey (Morgan) True. The founder of the family, who came from old England among the early settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, subsequently settled in Salisbury, N.H. Benjamin True, grandfather of Nathaniel M., was the first of the family in Plainfield. He left an honored name. As did most of the men of his day, he won his Sanborn before her marriage, had seven children, six of whom were: Reuben, Osgood, Hannah, Sarah, Judith, and Abigail. The seventh child, a daughter, married a Severance and lived in Andover. Benjamin True’s second marriage was contracted with Mrs. Roberts, a widow, who bore him three children-Lydia, Eunice, and Kimball.
Osgood True, born in Plainfield, August 5, 1789, died October 26, 1856. After completing his public-school education, he stayed for a short time as a helper on his father’s farm, and later assumed the management of the farm and carried it on until his death. He raised large numbers of cattle and sheep as well as some garden produce. He was Selectman for a number of years; and he represented the town in the State legislature for a time, fulfilling the obligations of these important trusts to the full satisfaction of his constituents. For many years prior to his death he was a Deacon of the Baptist church. Educational matters obtained considerable attention from him. He took an active part in the service of the militia, being finally chosen Captain. He married Betsey Morgan, daughter of Nathaniel Morgan, a well-to-do farmer of Plainfield. She was born July 10, 1793, and died November 9, 1875. Their six children were: Marcia E., born July 1, 1820; Ellen M., born July 8, 1822; Benjamin O., born June 1, 1824; Nathaniel M., the subject of this sketch; David P., born August 18, 1829; and Ellen M. (second), born July 13, 1833. Marcia married Jasper H. Purmort, a prosperous farmer of Lebanon, and has a family of children. Ellen M. (first) died in infancy. Benjamin O. died in November, 1845, at the age of twenty-one years, having just graduated from Kimball Union Academy. David P., who is a successful farmer in Minnesota, first married Lucy Kidder, and had two children. His second wife, whose maiden name was Crowe, bore him one daughter, now a physician well known in her profession in the West. Ellen M. (second) married Thomas E. Hough, who has been a successful farmer and travelling agent, living in Claremont and in New York State. They have four children-Clement T., Elizabeth E., Della M., and Kate M.
Nathaniel M. True attended Kimball Union Academy. After finishing school, he worked on the homestead farm, assisting his father in the management for a time. When the health of the latter became poor, he took full charge The farm, which is a large one, containing nearly five hundred acres, has a handsome residence and numerous well-kept buildings. Mr. True has given his personal attention to all the details of his business, which he finds quite enough to occupy his full time. He has never cared for public life, nor aspired to political preferment. On October 13, 1853, he married Ruth L. Hough, daughter of Clement Hough, of Lebanon, a leading farmer of his time in that place. Mrs. True was born May 25, 1834. They have no children.