Philip C. Clough, Representative of Canterbury, N.H., in the State legislature of 1897-98, is a highly intelligent, well-to-do farmer and a member of one of the old families of the town. He was born in Canterbury, February 19, 1835, the second son of Thomas and Hannah (Hazelton) Clough. His grandfather, Obadiah Clough, who was a native of Canterbury, owned the farm where Mr. Clough now lives. Thomas Clough, son of Obadiah and father of the subject of this sketch, spent his life on the old homestead. Besides farming he was interested in the railroad business. He was a prominent man in the town, and held many public offices. His wife, Hannah Hazelton, was a native of Canterbury. She died in December, 1883. They had seven children, namely: Hannah, born September 18, 1831, who died June 26, 1840; Thomas V. B., born March 26, 1833, who married Maria Gale, and is now living in Franklin, N.H.; Philip C.; Sarah G., born May 28, 1838, who died in March, 1863; Hannah A., born July 26, 1840, died April 8, 1842; Susan A., born June 26, 1843, who married E. L. Batchelder, and lives in Canterbury; and Mary B., born June 28, 1847, who married Thomas Tuck, and is now living in Pittsfield. The children were educated in the common schools of this town and in the institute at New Hampton, N.H.
Philip C., the subject of this sketch, has always lived at the ancestral homestead. He took care of his parents in their old age; and since his father’s death he has managed the farm, which he now owns. It contains about one hundred and twenty-five acres. Although farming is Mr. Clough’s main business, he is also the agent for all kinds of standard farming implements; and he buys and sells large quantities of fruit every fall. He is President of the Canterbury Creamery and of the Canterbury and Boscawen Telephone Company.
Mr. Clough is a Republican in politics, and he always takes an active interest in all the town business. He has been Selectman for seven years, and in 1896 he was elected Representative Tilton, N.H., and was a charter member of the Merrimack River Grange, which is one of the oldest societies of the Patrons of Husbandry in the State. He was married August 30, 1870, to Mary E. Batchelder, of Canterbury, a daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Kimball) Batchelder. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clough are active members of the Congregational Church of Canterbury. Mr. Clough is one of the most prominent men in the town, and he is well known throughout the county.