New Hampshire

Biography of Hon. John C. Linehan

Hon. John C. Linehan . – “A hundred years after the Puritans and Pilgrims made a settlement on the coast of New England there came to this country a multitude of emigrants, mostly from the north of Ireland, who soon became absorbed into the ranks of the first settlers, and became the very best of citizens. In the contest for independence they rendered the most efficient services to the colonies, as they had previously done in protecting the frontiers from the inroads of the Indians. After another century, our doors having been opened wide for the reception of people from … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathaniel Everett Martin

Nathaniel Everett Martin, a successful attorney and well-known business man of Concord, was born in Loudon, N.H., August 9, 1855, son of Theophilus B. and Sarah L. (Rowell) Martin. He is of Scotch-Irish blood on the paternal side, being a direct descendant of William Martin, who came to this country from Ireland about the year 1732. Landing in Boston, William Martin went thence to Londonderry, N.H., from which place he removed subsequently to Pembroke, Merrimack County. James Martin, the great-grandfather of Nathaniel E., served with the rank of Ensign during the Revolutionary War, and died before the cause of American … Read more

Biography of Luther L. Mason

Luther L. Mason, a prominent farmer and dairyman of Hill, Merrimack County, N.H., was born in this town, on the place where he now resides, July 28, 1850, son of Milton and Judith J. (Young) Mason. His great-grandfather, Josiah, who was born in Rowley, Mass., came to Hill from Salisbury at an early date, when this section was still a wilderness. He, Josiah, was accompanied by his two sons: Ebenezer, grandfather of Luther L.; and Josiah, second. Selecting this location, together they built a log cabin on a part of the farm now used as a pasture. Later, after some … Read more

Biography of Harvey Graves McIntire, M.D.

Harvey Graves McIntire, M.D., formerly one of the leading physicians of Concord, was born in Lyndeboro, N.H., July 2, 1824, son of Elias and Elizabeth (Buxton) McIntire. Elias McIntire, son of Elias, Sr., and Bethiah (Hayward) McIntire, was a native of Reading, Mass., and belonged to one of the oldest families of that town. Removing to New Hampshire after marriage, he lived for a time in Amherst, and then settled in Lyndeboro. He followed the occupation of farmer throughout his active period, and was ninety-six years old when he died in Lyndeboro. His wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen and Phebe … Read more

Biography of Hon. Isaac Darwin Merrill

Hon. Isaac Darwin Merrill, a well-known public man of Contoocook, is a son of Isaac and Mary (Wyman) Merrill, born October 1, 1814, in Hopkinton village, N.H. The father, a native of Hollis, Hillsborough County, born June 15, 1784, was a cooper by trade, and worked in Boston, Portland, and Troy, N.Y. When Isaac D. was about a year old, the family moved from Hopkinton to Hillsborough Bridge, where his father was employed at his trade. Later, more than sixty years ago, he settled in Contoocook, built the house where the subject of this sketch now resides, worked at his … Read more

Biography of J. F. Merrill, M.D.

J. F. Merrill, M.D., a well-known physician of Franklin Falls, Merrimack County, was born in Gilmanton, N.H., June 5, 1856, son of Jacob D. and Sarah (Sanborn) Merrill. His parents are farming people of Gilmanton. Their six children are all living, and are as follows: Ida, who is the wife of Alonzo Caverly, and resides in Lynn, Mass.; George and Frederick, who are engaged in shoe manufacturing in Lynn, Mass., under the firm name of Merrill Brothers; Charles, who still remains with his parents; Addie, who is the wife of George Blanchard, and a resident of Lynn; and J. F., … Read more

Biography of William Henry Harrison Moody

William Henry Harrison Moody, of Claremont, a retired shoe manufacturer and one of the wealthiest and most prominent men of New Hampshire, was born here, May 10, 1842, son of Jonathan Moody. His father made shoes by hand, employing several men in his business. Jonathan Moody took a lively interest in military matters throughout his life. A tenor drummer of reputation, he was always in demand at military training and at muster. The subject of this sketch, the seventh child in a family of eleven, was named for President William Henry Harrison. When fourteen years old, he entered the shoe … Read more

Biography of Jesse W. S. Moon

Jesse W. S. Moon, a retired farmer, living in the village of Bradford, was born in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, N.Y., August 12, 1845. His parents, Jesse and Sophia (Barker) Moon, are well known in Bradford through their frequent visits to their son. Mr. Moon was reared on a farm, living with his parents until December 30, 1863, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War in the Eleventh New York Cavalry as a recruit, joining his regiment in Washington soon after. He served in the South, mostly in New Orleans. In the spring of 1864 he did guard … Read more

Biography of Elbridge G. Little

Elbridge G. Little was born August 5, 1807. He obtained his preliminary education at Exeter, N.H., and graduated from the Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. He attained eminence in his profession, and in New Lisbon, Wis., where his last years were passed, he was one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens. His wife, who was born November 4, 1809, was a daughter of Thomas and Judith (Dodge) Peabody, of the part of old Danvers, Mass., now known as Peabody. She was a sister of George Peabody, the wealthy and benevolent banker, who died in London, and who bequeathed to … Read more

Biography of Hon. George Peabody Little

Hon. George Peabody Little is an influential citizen of Pembroke, N.H. In his veins flows the blood of two old and reputable New England families, the Littles of Newbury, Mass., and the Peabodys of Danvers, the famous banker and philanthropist, George Peabody, having been his kinsman. Mr. Little was born in Pembroke, N.Y., June 20, 1834, a son of Dr. Elbridge G. and Sophronia Phelps (Peabody) Little. He is of the eighth generation of Littles in this country, tracing his descent from George Little, who settled in old Newbury, Mass., in 1640 or soon after. George Little was a tailor … Read more

Biography of George Oliver Locke

George Oliver Locke, of Pembroke, an ex-member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, was born in South New Market, N.H., September 19, 1826, son of Simeon and Clarissa (Tash) Locke. His great-grand-father, David Locke, who was a native of Yorkshire, England, became an early settler in Rye, N.H., where he owned a good farm, and resided there until his death, which occurred at a good old age. Simeon Locke (first), grandfather of the subject of this sketch, followed farming in Epsom for a time. Later he moved to East Concord, N.H., and there spent the rest of his life. … Read more

Biography of Ebenezer Loveren

Ebenezer Loveren, a practical farmer of Hopkinton, was born here, February 27, 1827, son of Captain Benjamin and Esther (Bartlett) Loveren, his parents being originally from Deering, Hillsborough County. His paternal grandparents were Ebenezer and Eunice (Hadlock) Loveren, who removed from Kensington, N.H., to Deering, where they settled. A separate sketch of Captain Benjamin Loveren appears on another page of this volume. Ebenezer Loveren was the only child of his parents, and was born on the farm where he now lives and where he has spent his life up 1844. It is the place in which Captain Benjamin Loveren passed … Read more

Biography of Albon Loverin

Albon Loverin, a prominent farmer of Northfield, is a native of Springfield, N.H. He was born May 24, 1851, son of Austin C. and Lavina A. (Morrill) Loverin. The father, who was a farmer, died in 1868. He was twice married. The children of his first marriage were: Elijah W. and Gilbert, both of whom are now deceased. His second wife, Lavina, a native of Wilmot, bore him six other children, namely: Oliver B., who resides in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Sarah, who is the wife of George Morgan, of Springfield, N.H.; Ara M., who is a hotel keeper of Concord; … Read more

Biography of Enoch Couch

Enoch Couch was a prominent farmer of Webster in his time. He was born in Webster, April 12, 1793, son of Joseph and Sarah (Pillsbury) Couch. His grandfather, Joseph Couch (first), who emigrated from Wales in 1748, settled in Newburyport, Mass. In 1768 the grandfather moved to Webster, and there improved the farm now owned and occupied by his great-grand-daughter. He resided here for the rest of his life, and died in 1784. The first of his three marriages was made with Elsie Rowell, the second with Mary Webster, and the third with Mrs. Muzzey. Born of the first were … Read more

Biography of Henry H. Crowell

Henry H. Crowell, a prosperous lumber merchant of Hopkinton, was born in that town, July 9, 1834, son of Albert A. and Lydia (Kimball) Crowell. Joseph Crowell, came from Bradford, Mass., and settled on Beach Hill about one hundred years ago. Albert Crowell, who was born on the aforesaid hill, about fifty years ago settled at Ferrington’s Corner, on the farm where Eli Boutwell now lives. He ran the old saw-mill of the primitive up and down style, doing a custom business; and the mill industry has been in the hands of the Crowell family there ever since. He died … Read more

Biography of Albert P. Davis

Albert P. Davis, attorney-at-law and one of the most active, prominent, and pushing citizens of Warner, was born May 2, 1835, in the village of Waterloo, Merrimack County, N.H. The Davis family originated in Wales, from whence the first ancestor in this country emigrated in 1638, settling in Amesbury, Mass. Gideon Davis, the great-grandfather of Albert P., and a nephew of Francis Davis, who led in the early settlement of the town, was born in Amesbury, where he lived until after his marriage with Mary Cheney. In 1784 he came to Warner, and, taking up a large tract of timber … Read more

Biography of Sylvester Prentiss Danforth

Sylvester Prentiss Danforth, an enterprising member of the well-known firm of Danforth, Forest & Morgan, contractors, builders, and lumber dealers of Concord, N.H., was born in Boscawen, N.H., August 14, 1838. His parents were Nathan C. and Sophia C. (Brown) Danforth, both residents of Merrimack County for many years. His father and grandfather were engaged in the lumber business for years, while his maternal ancestors were farmers in this county. Sylvester P. Danforth attended the public schools and Boscawen Academy, completing his school education at the age of eighteen years. He then learned the cabinet-maker’s trade with Caldwell & Amsden, … Read more

Biography of David M. Currier, M.D.

David M. Currier, M.D., a successful physician of Newport, was born in Grafton, Grafton County, September 15, 1840, son of David and Rhoda (Morse) Currier. The grandfather, David Currier, presumably came from Salisbury, Mass., and located in Canaan, where he became the owner of a good tract of land, and died at the age of seventy-one years. He married February 2, 1797, Ruth Stevens, David, born February 8, 1803; Edward, born June 12, 1805; Aaron, born September 10, 1813; Dorothy, born January 28, 1799; and Hannah, born June 23, 1800. David, the father of Dr. Currier, was also a farmer. … Read more

Biography of Hon. George Ashby Cummings

Hon. George Ashby Cummings, ex-Mayor of Concord and formerly a member of the State Senate, was born in Acworth, June 13, 1833, son of Alvah and Polly (Grout) Cummings. His father was a native of Sullivan, and his mother was born in Acworth. He was educated in the public schools of South Acworth. At the age of twenty years he engaged in the marble business in Franklin, N.H., where he remained until 1861. He then moved to Concord, where he has prosperously carried on the same business. His reputation is that of an able, energetic business man. He was a … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Lyman Culver

Benjamin Lyman Culver, late a retired resident of Pembroke, Merrimack County, N.H., who died December 6, 1896, was born in Norwich, Vt., August 10, 1830, son of the Rev. Lyman and Fanny (Hovey) Culver. The Culver family is of French origin, and is said to have been founded in America by Benjamin L. Culver’s great-grandfather, John Culver, who, it is thought, emigrated from Paris, France. He settled in Connecticut, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for the rest of his life. His son, James Culver, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Connecticut; and in early life … Read more